Monday 8 December 2014

Have Baby, Will Travel!

Many new parents experience a numbing fear from the moment their child is expected; the fear of having to collapse a pram on a wet and windy day in front of a hoard of shoppers, before manhandling it into the boot of the car. 

Thankfully, modern technology has provided an answer to this all-consuming fear in the shape of the UPPAbaby range of prams and accessories. UPPAbaby is the only coping strategy you will need to beat pram phobia until your child reaches school age. 

During those early months, tired parents often fall prey to aggressive sales techniques from every quarter, so get informed and follow our quick guide to help you buy more of what you need and less of what you don't!

1 - Buy only what you need right now. This is far less costly than second guessing what you may need in the future. Buying what you think you'll need for the winter months during the summer means that you might buy the right thing for the season but at the wrong time for your child's needs and development. Being prepared is good, but being over prepared can be very expensive! Let experience be your guide rather than imagination. 

2 - Use your intuition. You may have read every book there is to read, but the best teacher of all is your baby and your growing relationship with him or her. The latest gadget may look fab on the TV and might buy you 5 minutes of much needed peace, but what your baby needs more than anything else is your attention and that doesn't cost a thing!

3 - Invest in a decent travel system that offers lots of possibilities. Travel systems that grow with your family and have a range of accessories are a good choice. Babies only need to be fully reclined for a relatively short period of time and travel systems such as UPPAbaby offer the ability to quickly convert from a carry cot or car seat to a forward facing stroller, making trips to and from the shops far easier. UPPAbaby can be customised to be cosy and warm in the winter with a snug seat or stroller blanket, or cool, shady and/or waterproof in the summer, with a handy cup and snack holder for drinks and nibbles. 

4 - Make life easy for yourself and politely ignore the advice of well-meaning friends and family! Your lifestyle, budget and needs may be wildly different from theirs, so if they love their rugged all weather travel system, yet you spend half your life hopping on and off tubes, you may need a streamlined stroller such as the UPPAbaby G-Luxe. By all means listen to what they have to say, but make your own judgement call based on what's important to you and your lifestyle, not theirs. 



Finally remember that no matter how hard it can be during those early days when daily showers, hot cups of tea and 8 hours sleep are all but a distant memory, it will all be over far too quickly and it will be time for child number two! If you invested wisely early on, the next one should be a doddle!

Friday 28 November 2014

Innovative New products From Mima Strollers

From the Mima range of kid’s products comes an innovative new choice of strollers. Mima has from 2009 been working to improve the lives of parents by creating cutting edge products that have been designed using the personal parenting experiences and design skills of its team. Following extensive research into children’s products, Mima has created two new pushchairs, Mima Xari and Mima Kobi, which have both been designed to grow with your child and family. Mima strollers offer the latest advances in product design, ensuring that they are exceptionally practical for parents with busy lifestyles, yet also incorporate an elegant design that make these particularly desirable lifestyle accessories.

Mima Xari
Mima Xari


If you only need to transport one child, then the Mima Xari is an attractive and versatile stroller. This innovative pushchair offers an array of technical features, all of which have been designed for superior comfort and safety. The reversible seat includes the patented “carrycot inside” feature, which incorporates a hidden baby carrycot within its design that is easily accessed by cleverly concealed zips. This function gives parents the option to lay their baby flat in the first few months and then convert to the seat unit after six months. 

The Mima Xari is designed to be compact and simple to fold and unfold, using a simple mechanism that folds the pushchair by simply pressing a button and lifting a lever. The pushchair can then be unfolded quickly and easily, simply by lifting the handlebar. With its adjustable height and handlebar, the Mima Xari is designed to suit every parent, adapting to your needs. In addition, this stroller incorporates a number of safety features, such as a simple break system that is operated by pressing down on the brake with the foot and resistant removable wheels with a 360 degree swivel and wheel block at the front. 

Mima Kobi

For the parent with two children, Mima presents the Mima Kobi, a dual travel system that is based on the same design and functionality of the Mima Xari. With its larger chassis, it can accommodate two seats and carrycot units, but is the same size as a single seater. The Mima Kobi offers parents a variety of configurations that allows you to transport one or two children of different ages or even twins. The pushchair has the same reversible seat capability and features the patented “carrycot inside” system. 


Both the Mima Xari and Mima Kobi are available in a selection of colour schemes that allow you to customise your chosen pushchair, including grey, flair camel, flair chocolate, flair black, snow white, and black and white. A rain cover is available for both models, to protect your children from rain and windy weather.


Thursday 30 October 2014

Why Buy a Mima Xari Pushchair?

As a parent, it can be difficult to find essential items for your baby that are stylish yet supportive and innovatively designed. There can be so many boxes you want the pushchair to tick, to ensure you are receiving the best possible product out there. The Mima Xari pushchair ticks all these vital boxes including comfort, ease when cleaning and a compact body.



Aesthetics

The pushchair has been designed to suit the ever-changing fashion scene for parents. Not only does the sculptured pushchair look great, but also the wipe-able seat surface is perfect for cleaning any spills effectively and efficiently, unlike other material pushchairs that can hold onto unsightly stains (nightmare!). The hood of the pushchair has been designed with a unique high gloss EVA foam material; this allows the pod-like shape to keep its form, unlike the typical canvas hoods, which can sag over time. The pushchair is also available in a selection of sleek colours, including grey, black, brown, white, camel flair and limited edition white and black.

Manoeuvrability

One of the most important functions of a contemporary pushchair is, of course, manoeuvrability. The Mima Xari has been designed with larger rear wheels, ensuring you can get up that staircase easier than you would with smaller wheels. The built-in suspension makes for a sturdy journey for both baby and parent. No matter the time of your journey, even in rush hour you can dodge the crowds with ease, and with the addition of the flip-flop break, which is a doddle to use, the pushchair is as easy to use as it is to ride a bike! 

Comfort

Unfortunately, as parents we can’t really test the pushchair out to rate it on comfort levels but we can reassure you that with the use of EVA foam material, your baby or toddler is sat in the most ergonomically supportive seat. The safety bar is also easily removed, so you can say goodbye to uncomfortable wooden restaurant baby chairs and hello to the familiar pushchair! So it doesn’t matter if you’re just popping into town for a quick bite, or going on a five mile hike – your little one is as comfy as can be.

Storage

The pushchair is the beast of all mobile baby items, where are you going to store a pushchair in your house? Luckily our designers have thought of this inevitable problem and have cleverly implemented an ultra-compact design, with added quick release wheels – perfect! The chair is even small enough to fit into the boot of a mini. Within 15 seconds the pushchair can also be converted into a useful carrycot for your baby, this can make visiting friends and family less sleep disturbing for the baby. This gives both the baby and adults, a more relaxing time.

Thursday 2 October 2014

Top Tips for Finding a Great Pushchair

Whether you’re having your first, third or fifth child, one of the most important purchases you’ll make before the birth will be the pushchair. Factors such as where you live, how many young children you have and how you spend your time all impact on the style you choose – Jane pushchairs come in all shapes and sizes, and every model offers practicality and comfort for both baby and parents. However, finding the one that’s right for you can be tricky. That’s why we’ve written a handy guide full of helpful tips, which will help you decide which design will slot into your life perfectly.

Think about where you live

Where you live is probably one of the biggest factors in deciding what style of pushchair you go for; small houses with minimal storage and narrow hallways won’t be able to accommodate large frames and carrycots, while anyone who lives in a flat with no lifts won’t relish the idea of dragging a huge pushchair up three flights of stairs. When shopping, look at the weight and size specifications to find out which pushchair works out to be the lightest and smallest; the Jane Rider is a great example - with a unique design that means the wheels retract by an extra 30%, and a one handed folding system, this is the pushchair style for you if space is an issue. 

Think about your lifestyle

Whether you’re a keen jogger, someone who loves nature and the outdoors, or a city-dweller who enjoys a trip round the shops followed by lunch, you’re going to want a pushchair that fits in with your lifestyle. The Jane Trider is the perfect all-round pushchair; the three puncture proof all-terrain wheels make it ideal for adventures in the woods, the seat position keeps your child away from traffic fumes, and the seat height cleverly adjusts to turn the pushchair into a high chair. There are a great range of Jane pushchair accessories as well; if you spend a lot of time outdoors, make sure you invest in a really robust raincover and a cosy footmuff for the seat unit in the winter. 

Consider any other children

If you already have other children, it’s a good idea to think about whether they’re going to need a place in the pushchair as well; times have moved on from the traditional, uncomfortable double stroller, and now clever designs mean that pushing two children can be as easy as pushing one. Choose from those that seat children side-by-side, in front and behind, or one on top and one underneath – the most important thing is to try them out first and make sure you can handle the weight. The best pushchairs for multiple children are those that can be adapted to a single-seat buggy once the time comes, and those that cater for children of both different ages and the same age. The Jane Twone manages to tick both of these boxes, and also features a range of pushchair accessories designed to keep all of your children safe, warm and dry.

Tuesday 26 August 2014

The Babystyle Oyster 2 – Get around town in style



The search for that perfect combination of style and function is an important part of so many aspects of our lives. Pushchairs are no exception to this, and there are a great number of models that have tried to fill that need in the past. Following on from their successes with the Oyster, Babystyle have unveiled the Babystyle Oyster 2 and presented the best solution yet for parents looking to maintain their own sense of style as they hit the town with their child. So what exactly does this new stroller offer?

The main priority for the best pushchairs will always be function. It would do no good to have a flashy pram that simply becomes an obstacle in your day the moment you try to take it outside. This is definitely not a problem for the Babystyle Oyster 2. This range of pushchairs is perfect for manoeuvring about the town with ease; being compact enough to fit easily on narrow streets or even the bus, whilst the all-round suspension and shock absorption keeps even light off-road journeys smooth and easy, giving you the freedom to go anywhere you want without hassle and without disturbing the baby.


The Babystyle Oyster 2 pushchair also makes some much welcomed adjustments to its predecessor to create the best ride possible for your baby. A new lie-flat seat suitable for newborns provides full comfort and versatility and includes an integral UV protective sunshade and insect net for that extra protection for your child. The new silent hood will come as a relief to any parents looking for pushchairs for lighter sleepers, and the larger shopping basket is a godsend for any parent, allowing more storage without any effect on how easily the chair is moved around town.

So, clearly, the Babystyle Oyster 2 is a very practical pushchair, but what about style? Well, this pushchair has style in abundance and, more importantly, has customisation as a central priority. The basic design is sleek and stylish, with two different options for the chassis finish to choose from, finished off with a dazzling set of wheels. More choice is available in choosing from one of 5 colour packs for the seat and hood cover that allow these pushchairs to show off the style and personality that suits you best. The colours are bright and bold, and are easily fitted meaning you have the option swapping colours as and when you wish, or even going with a multicoloured pushchair.

Customisation is key for the Babystyle Oyster 2. Not only for creating the style you want but for creating the pushchair that best works for you. The adjustable handle bar keeps steering as comfortable as possible, the seat unit is easily reversible so you can keep an easy check on your baby and so the baby can keep a check on you. This versatility and a personal touch mean no two of these pushchairs need ever be the same, giving the Babystyle Oyster 2 a unique style and function to create a pushchair that is suited perfectly to you.

You can find out more about the features of the Babystyle Oyster 2 by visiting the BabyBabyOnline website. 

Monday 11 August 2014

Choosing The Right Jane Pushchair: A Helpful Guide

Aside from a cot, a pram or pushchair is likely to be one of the most important purchases you make once you find out your family is going to be expanding. As well as deliberating on colour and size, you’ll probably find yourself asking questions such as, “will it fit in the boot of our small car?” and, “how easy will it be to manoeuvre on public transport?” If you’ve opted for a Jane pushchair, but aren’t quite sure which one is going to suit your lifestyle the most, then don’t worry – we’ve produced a handy guide that should help you decide which pushchair is right for you.

For the city loving family
If you live in a big city and spend a lot of time battling through public transport and zipping from one place to another, the Jane Trider is, without a doubt, the pushchair for you. The minimalist style chassis and front swivel wheels make weaving in and out of people a breeze, while the Pro-Fix system allows the car seat to be attached and removed using just one hand – ideal for those times when you find yourself squeezing onto a packed bus. The real standout feature of the Trider, however, is the seat height – not only has it been placed in an ideal position to allow it to double as a highchair, but it’s also far enough away from the ground to keep your child away from pollution. Of all the Jane pushchairs, the Trider is the one that’s simply made for city life.

For the adventure loving family
Whether you’re into wooded walks or beachside living, if you’re a family of outdoors lovers, you’re going to want a pushchair that can keep up with you; the Jane Slalom Pro, with its all-terrain chassis, will almost certainly tick every box. Featuring wheels equipped with shock-absorbing pneumatic tyres, an adjustable rear suspension and lockable front wheels, this pushchair will keep your child safe and comfortable whether you’re hiking through the snow or strolling along the sand.

For the larger family
If you’re about to add to your family, and you’re looking for a pushchair that can accommodate more than one child, look no further than the Jane Twone. This tandem pushchair has an incredibly flexible design, meaning that you can convert it from a single to a double, single-handedly, in seconds - so no fiddling with tricky catches and bolts, just plain and simple swapping. The best feature of the Twone, however, is that you can mix and match with seat units; whether you’ve got newborn twins, babies of different ages, or a toddler and a newborn, this Jane pushchair has the ability to accommodate everyone, and will grow as your family does.


For the practical family
Whether you’re looking for a great value pushchair, or one that will take your child through from birth to toddlerhood, the Jane Muum could be just what you’re looking for. Featuring a reversible seat unit, you can begin your journey with your baby facing you for added security and bonding, and then, once they’re a little older, turn them around to face the wonders of the world. Versatile, light and compact, the Muum combines style with practicality, and has the added bonus of an extra-large seat unit, meaning your child will be as comfortable inside when they’re a toddler as they were when they were newborn.


For the family with limited space
Whether you’re living in a small house or apartment, or if your car has a less-than-generous boot space, finding a pushchair that is going to fit in with your lifestyle can be a problem. All Jane pushchairs are equipped with simple folding techniques and minimal chassis designs, but the Jane Rider is one of the most compact pushchairs on the market. The top of the range design includes a one-handed folding system, which causes the rear wheels to retract and reduce the folded size by a huge 30% - making it ideal for those tight corners at home, or squeezing into the boot of your car. Not compromising on quality, Jane Pushchairs have also armed the Rider with a reversible seat unit, adjustable rear suspension and a shock absorber that can be altered as your child’s weight changes.

To find out more about Jane pushchairs, you can visit Baby Baby Online.


Friday 1 August 2014

Limited Storage Space At Home? The Mima Xari May Be Just The Thing For You

Parents of small children understand that although a baby may be very small in size, they certainly demand a lot of equipment which can soon fill even the largest of houses!  When buying essential items, such as a pushchair, it’s therefore worth thinking about how much space you have at home or in your car to store your pushchair when it is not in use.

But I need a travel system, not a stroller
No problem, the Mima Xari is a single pushchair which can either be used with the carry cot or the standard seat unit.  The carry cot is perfect for newborn babies or tired little ones who want to lie down flat for their afternoon nap.  Once baby gets a little bigger, the seat unit can be utilised and baby can be seated in either a front or rear facing position – depending on whether they are feeling a little clingy and want to be able to see mum or dad, or whether they are awake and alert and want to see the world go by.

I just don’t have the space to store a separate carry cot
The designers of the Mima Xari have been hard at work and have cleverly designed a seat unit which actually houses the carry cot.  The unit can simply be unzipped so as to reveal the carry cot, meaning there is no separate unit to store.  Perfect for homes which are limited on storage space.



I want a pushchair which looks good
Although most parents will look at the functionality of a pushchair before they make a purchase, many will also want to make sure they buy a pushchair which looks good.  The Mima range of pushchairs are cutting edge in terms of usability as well as looks, and the design of the pushchair is of high quality.  Even the Mima Kobi (the Xari’s big sister which transports two children at a time) looks stylish, and is not simply a work horse carting around a couple of children. 

Mima are a relatively new brand on the UK pushchair market, but with their innovative design and compact storage method, they’re bound to be a strong competitor with the leading pushchair brands.

To take a look at the Mima pushchairs in closer detail, feel free to take a look at the Baby Baby website.