babyreview.com.au

Babies tend to be fussy creatures, especially when it comes to sleep. So when you’re travelling away from home it’s vital your child has somewhere secure to rest.

But with all the gear new parents have to carry, you can’t very well pack a full-sized cot into your luggage. Instead, you’ll need a crib that’s as compact as it is cosy.

The BabyBjorn Travel Cot Light is our top pick in travel cots. At an ultra-lightweight 6 kilograms, it doesn’t sacrifice portability for comfort.

Our family had no trouble setting up the cot in seconds. In one movement, we unfolded it from the smart carry bag and lay it on the floor. Such ease of use makes it perfect for frequent short trips away or even afternoon naps at grandma’s.

The sturdy foam mattress don’t sag in the middle and has none of the hassles of inflating mattresses. It lies virtually flat on the ground, providing great support for our little girl’s back and head. And unlike some other brands, you can even tuck sheets and blankets underneath the mattress so your child feels safe and secure. The mesh is now to the floor – an improvement on the original BabyBjorn travel cot.

Baby fell asleep first go in the cot at home, which means we can plan our summer holidays safe in the knowledge our night-timeswill be restful and relaxing.

The updated black mesh walls will be especially useful in our Australian summer, allowing ample air-flow on hot days near the beach. And because the minimalist design looks so stylish and the footprint is compact, we don’t even bother packing the cot away at home. Instead, we find it makes a handy and discreet day bed in the lounge room or bedroom – wherever we like, actually, as it’s so easy to move!

When the time comes to clean the cot, we can easily remove and machine wash the fabric. To find out more about the BabyBjorn Travel Cot Light and other gorgeous products visit the BabyBjorn website.

New parents can find themselves juggling any number of odd jobs while caring for a small child. But without a spare set of hands, baby wrangling and housework can prove a tricky combination. In those moments you can’t devote to endless kisses and cuddles, a bouncer provides the perfect perch for Baby to watch the day-to-day goings-on at home.

Over the past few weeks our family has been putting a popular classic to the test. A half-century after the release of its first bouncer, BabyBjorn has added softer features and improved curves to its new Bouncer Balance Soft.

We’ve found the ergonomic design perfectly snug and comfy for our little girl. She loves rocking away in the supportive seat and, if your baby is anything like ours, she’ll enjoy having her own secure space to play and giggle while never being more than a few steps from dad or mum.

We found the padded safety harness easy to adjust, which means we can slip bub in and out of the bouncer without fiddling with awkward buckles that can restrict movement.

We especially love the three height settings, which let our little catnapper play, rest and snooze in the one spot without endless trips to and from the cot.

The super-sleek design, available in black/dark grey cotton or black/grey mesh, looks great in our modern home while the lightweight fold-flat design makes it super portable and easy to store. The mesh fabric is removable and machine-washable, too – a godsend for the hygiene freaks among us.

Best of all, even at seven months our baby still has many months of use left in the bouncer. Once she learns to walk, we can reverse the fabric and turn the bouncer into a toddler chair (for children up to 13 kilograms). Visit the BabyBjorn website for more information on the BabyBjorn Bouncer Balance Soft.

At 2 months old, it was time for Baby to go to watch his Dad play soccer. Dad proudly carried Baby to the oval in the BabyBjorn Baby Carrier One to introduce Baby to his soccer mates. The Baby Carrier One is the new multifunctional front and back baby carrier from BabyBjorn.

When Dad went on the field to play, I took Baby in the Baby Carrier One. Despite our large size difference, it was quick and easy for Dad and me to swap the carrier between us with a few small adjustments. To put on the Baby Carrier One, slip the straps over your head like you are putting on a jumper, then adjust the back yoke and fasten the waist belt. After loosening the shoulder straps and unbuckling the head support and safety buckle on one side, Baby can be placed in the carrier. Then simply fasten all buckles and adjust the straps.

After a few short moments of watching Dad play, Baby fell asleep. In the special newborn position, with Baby facing me, I find that he magically falls asleep. This is, of course, one of my favourite features! The Baby Carrier One has been developed with paediatricians to provide the right support for baby’s head, back and hips, so I can be reassured knowing that Baby is physically supported and comfortable. The Baby Carrier One is also the most comfortable carrier I have used with its generously padded shoulder straps and waist belt which helps to relieve pressure off my shoulders and back, so that I can carry Baby for longer periods in comfort.

While we are getting so much use out of the Baby Carrier One now, it is the one and only carrier we will need. It can be used from birth (3.5 kilograms) to 3 years (15 kilograms), which is a surprise considering how much babies grow and change in size in that time. In addition to the newborn position, the Baby Carrier One can be used to carry your 4 month + old baby inward facing (in either the normal leg or wide leg position) and outward facing, as well as carrying your 12 month + old baby on your back. The Baby Carrier One is the first BabyBjorn Carrier that allows you to carry your baby on your back. I was surprised to see that you can place your baby safely on your back on your own, by first placing your baby in the carrier on your front and then moving the baby to your back with a simple action. I can only imagine how cute Baby will look being carried on Dad’s back to his very own first game of soccer…

A very useful accessory for the Baby Carrier One is the bib, which will protect the carrier from your baby’s drips and drools, when they face outwards. It is reassuring that the carrier, which is made from certified cotton, is also machine washable in case of any spills! To find out more about the BabyBjorn Carrier One and accessories visit the BabyBjorn website.

With summer around the corner, Baby will look and stay cool in her new BabyBjorn Babysitter Balance made with a soft and cool airy mesh fabric. The fabric specially developed for BabyBjorn is designed to draw heat and moisture away from Baby, so she remains cool in the warm summer months ahead.

The BabyBjorn Babysitter Balance responds to Baby’s movements to make it bounce. I’ve found the gentle rocking movement fun and relaxing for my 8 week old, who enjoys observing her big sister race around from the comfort of her bouncer, smiling and bouncing as if to join in.

The Babysitter Balance is proving wonderful for Baby to develop her own sense of movement, balance and motor skills. With a unique ergonomic shape, the bouncer’s design ensures my Baby’s back and head is well supported at all times.

The bouncer is intuitive to set up with a safety harness which fastens with buttons across Baby’s waist until your little one can sit up on their own. The frame of the BabyBjorn Balance can be adjusted to different positions. When the frame of the bouncer is placed at the greatest angle it is in ‘Play’ mode. To change the position of the BabyBjorn Balance, simply lift the positioner on the frame of the bouncer, at the same time as you lift the backrest with your other hand. The next angle down is ‘Rest’ mode and when the bouncer is at the slightest angle it is in ‘Sleep’ mode. The last position is totally flat which is ‘Transportation mode’.

Due to the popularity of the BabyBjorn Balance with my newborn baby, I have been taking it everywhere with me. I collapse it flat and place it in the boot ready for use at our destination, whether it be a friend’s place, mother’s group or playgroup. The bouncer is light weight at 2.25kg and compact measuring 39 x 79 cm when collapsed. It’s a breeze to transport and set up ready for use with Baby.

The mesh cover is easy to wash, simply loosen the two elastic loops at the bottom, pull it off the frame and machine wash it.

The practicality of the BabyBjorn Babysitter Balance makes it a fantastic choice of bouncer for Baby. In addition to the ‘mesh’ fabric, the bouncer is also available in ‘cotton mix’ and ‘organic cotton’. To find out more on the Babysitter Balance visit the BabyBjorn website.

Baby has been familiarising herself with her new BabyBjorn Potty Chair. Baby has practiced sitting on the Potty Chair before bath time and has let her soft toys have a turn too! The smooth lines and solid construction make the BabyBjorn Potty Chair very comfortable for Baby and ideal for toilet training.

We found toilet training a little tricky at first, so we decided to introduce reward stickers for Baby to adorn her new Potty Chair. It wasn’t long before Baby had her first successful pee on the Potty Chair! This was met with many cheers of “hooray, yippee” from Mum and Dad and of course a sticker for her to put on her BabyBjorn Potty Chair. The high back of the Potty Chair is now covered in a collage of stickers, each one marking her achievements to date.

The BabyBjorn Potty Chair has been ergonomically designed with a high back and arm rests. The arm rests allow Baby to maintain her balance when lowering onto the Potty Chair and allow her to push up on the arm rests when she is finished using the potty.

The Potty Chair has an inner potty which is easy to lift out and clean after use. While the main chair structure can simply be wiped down. The inner potty has a splashguard at the front to prevent any spills. As with all safe plastic products in the BabyBjorn range, the Potty Chair is made from recyclable plastic which is PVC-free and BPA-free.

The BabyBjorn Potty Chair is available in a wide spectrum of colours, including Bright Red, Grey and Snow White. We have the Potty Chair in Snow White, which matches our bathroom decor and makes an ideal canvas for Baby’s growing sticker collection!

In addition to the Potty Chair, the Bathroom Range features the BabyBjorn Smart Potty, Safe Step and Toilet Trainer too. To find out more on the full range of BabyBjorn Bathroom products visit the BabyBjorn website.

When I asked my Mum what I should look for in a high chair, she said I should get something that was low on fuss and easy to hose down.

I thought she was joking…until Baby started eating solids. I just can’t believe that someone so small can get so much food in so many different places.

So we started using the BabyBjorn  high chair. I just love this thing so much I can barely articulate it.

It took me about six minutes to assemble. Easy peasy. And it is so easy to get Baby in and out of, which – when they’re hungry and wriggly and out of sorts is really important. It also mattered that this was a simple process because grandparents play a big part in our Baby’s life, and there were concerns over the level of difficulty in assembling and placing our little one in her high chair.

The high chair also packs away so neatly so it doesn’t take up loads of space…and we’re a little short on space at the moment. We can also pack it into the car and travel with it.

Now that Baby is getting stronger, she really is thrusting herself forward so safety is a big deal, and this chair has an easy-to-activate safety lock. It doesn’t have a harness, but you really don’t need one. Also the height of the table and it’s design with the chair means that Baby doesn’t slide under and out. A big plus.

The tray is detachable and can be cleaned in the dishwasher, which is just fantastic. The body of the chair is so easy to wipe down because there’s no cushion or creases for pear puree to hide in, and the clean white colour highlights any spillage.

And then there are just the little things that matter to us. It sits neatly at the table so that Baby really does feel like she’s eating with us. It’s white and sleek and lovely, and the legs don’t protrude so there’s less of a trip hazard.

I can’t really think of anything to top what this high chair offers. It’s great. We think so, and our gorgeous baby girl thinks so as well.

The sunshine has made its spring into Australian lives again and that means a whole new range of protective concerns for those of us with babies.

My husband has photosensitive skin, and our little one is already showing signs of having quite a delicate casing herself, so we’re going to need to be quite careful about introducing her to those harsh UV rays. Baby still loves to be carried around in her BabyBjorn Miracle but to be fair, I don’t fancy carrying around a parasol to shield her from the sun at all times. So I’m pretty chuffed that BabyBjorn has also released its Sun Cover for Baby Carrier.

This product is just lovely. The soft fabric means baby won’t overheat or feel suffocated – which is important, as our little one runs quite warm and with baking temperatures predicted this summer, keeping her cool will be a challenge. Having said that, it’s not a delicate fabric that needs extra special care. You can just pop it in the washing machine. The sun cover is also easy to attach – two elastic loops hold it in place, so no complicated assembly is required.

The sun cover is pediatrician recommended and provides ultraviolet protection factor of 40 and blocks out 97% of harmful UV rays. I think that’s great. Baby has a habit of losing her hat, and no baby is particularly cooperative when you’re applying sunscreen, so the BabyBjorn sun cover is a great way to protect your little one at a barbecue, if you’re out shopping or just going for a walk in the park. Obviously you should take all responsible steps to keep babies out of the sun between the hours of 10am and 3pm.

You can see in the image here that I have Baby facing me (she was snoozing) at a friend’s place recently, but you can also use the sun cover when baby is facing outwards…which she now loves to do so she can check out the world and be a sticky beak. It’s easy, the hood is detachable and can be used separately from the cape, or you can use both with baby facing you or facing away.

I highly recommend the BabyBjorn Sun Cover – ours will be getting a serious workout in the summer months ahead. To find out more about the full range of products visit the BabyBjorn website.

For our next trip to Sydney, I decided Baby needed a travel cot. I was looking for a travel cot which could be assembled quickly, was light weight with a strong body – I was looking for a travel cot with the attributes of an ‘elite athlete’ and I found it in the BabyBjorn Travel Cot Light.

The most impressive feature of the BabyBjorn Travel Cot Light is how quickly it can be assembled. I timed myself with a stopwatch and it took 41 seconds to assemble the BabyBjorn Travel Cot. This included opening the bag and lifting out the travel cot. The travel cot is assembled in one swift movement by holding the two short sides at the top of the cot, pointing the legs to the floor and unfolding it – hey presto it’s up! The legs fell into position and then I placed the mattress firmly inside the cot. It was that simple!

When travelling everyone wants light luggage which doesn’t take up too much space either. The BabyBjorm Travel Cot Light lives up to it’s name weighing only 5kg, including the case. The case looks very smart in discrete black and looks like an ordinary travel bag with dimensions I measured as 60cm x 49cm x 13cm. So it’s perfect for a family travelling with a baby.

Space efficiency is central to the design of the BabyBjorn Travel Cot Light, once assembled the slanting edges mean it takes up little floor space with maximum space for Baby. The legs of the travel cot are strong and provide a stable base for the cot. The entire cot is covered in soft fabric and includes a sheer net fabric which makes it easy to keep on eye on Baby. Baby had fun looking through the net fabric at me too! Baby found the travel cot spacious and after our game of peekaboo, Baby had a blissful afternoon sleep in the travel cot.

The thick soft mattress of the BabyBjorn Travel Cot Light made Baby’s sleep a dream! I measured the dimensions of the mattress as 60cm x 105cm x 5cm. Conveniently, the removable mattress and bedding are machine washable. Ordinary sheets can be used on the travel cot and BabyBjorn Travel Cot Fitted Sheets are available in organic cotton too. The BabyBjorn Travel Cot Light is suitable from birth to 3 years old.

Folding up the BabyBjorn Travel Cot Light was just as easy as the assembly. Firstly, I removed and folded the mattress, placing it in the travel bag. Then I released each leg and lay the legs diagonally inside the frame. I then folded the short sides of the frame together and placed it inside the folded mattress. After a fantastic performance, the BabyBjorn Travel Cot Light crossed the finishing line in style. To find out more about the BabyBjorn Travel Cot visit the BabyBjorn website.

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.

Baby has found her artistic side and is becoming quite the painter! Since Baby started painting at 10 months, she has honed her finger painting and hand printing skills to create contemporary masterpieces for her parents and grandparents.

To protect Baby’s clothes during her artistic experimentation, I have been using the BabyBjorn Eat & Play Smock. It is a central piece of equipment for her painting and she squeals with excitement when she sees me unfolding the smock ready for her to put on.

The BabyBjorn Eat & Play Smock is designed for children from 8 months to 3 years old. I simply slide her arms through the sleeves and the firm, soft elastic cuffs ensure the smock stays put. I secure the smock with two sets of fasteners at the back – one behind her neck and one lower down. The set of fasteners around the neck of the smock accommodates two sizes: babies with small necks and toddlers with large necks. The design of the Eat & Play Smock is simple and roomy – it splays outwards and allows freedom to move.

Baby is visibly excited once wearing her smock, as she is aware she is about to begin painting. So I sit her in her highchair, put a piece of paper and a palette of red, blue and yellow paint, on her highchair tray in front of her. I can’t resist putting a little hat on my punky baby to keep the hair off her face (and complete the artistic look)!

Baby looks at the palette with focussed concentration, dabs her finger in the blue paint and then smears her finger across the page. She then mixes the colours together and adds fingerprints all over the page in different colours. Finally, she presses her right hand in the mixed paint and puts a hand print in the bottom right hand corner of the page – as if to sign her artwork. Then with her painted right hand, Baby gestures to me that she is finished and I proceed to wipe her hands and smock.

The BabyBjorn Eat & Play Smock has faired well, showing durability during this road test and has succeeded in protecting Baby’s clothing too! The smock is easy to wipe clean and although it doesn’t need it this time, I’m pleased the smock is machine washable. The material of the smock is not only waterproof but lightweight and breathable.

While I mostly use the BabyBjorn Soft Bib for mealtimes, it’s great to know I have the BabyBjorn Eat & Play Smock for those messier meals. Since Baby has such a positive association playing in the smock she doesn’t hesitate to put it on for mealtimes too. I have the BabyBjorn Smock in Bright Red featuring the cute teddy bear motif which co-ordinates wonderfully with the BabyBjorn Cup and other items in the BabyBjorn Kitchen range. To find out more about the BabyBjorn Smock and the full BabyBjorn Kitchen range visit the BabyBjorn website.