Close Parent Down Under

Pop-In Takes Out Retailer's Choice Award

2012-01-25T16:00:00.004+13:00

We're delighted to announce that the Pop-In has scored the Retailer's Choice Award for best All-In-Two nappy at the 2011 Australian Cloth Nappy Awards.

Close can proudly add this to a growing list of accolades and acknowledgements from across the globe, for a nappy that has a proven track-record for intelligent design using high quality materials and manufacture.

We look forward to a fabulous 2012, bringing more Australian families this award-winning nappy system that's now even more affordable than ever before!

Toilet Training for Infants - One Mother's Journey

2012-01-10T13:18:00.002+13:00

Our sincere gratitude to Keira for sharing her daughter's infant potty training journey with us. The first part in this mini series can be viewed here.

I decided to start toilet training at times that my daughter would regularly ‘go’. For us, this was within a few minutes after taking her nappy off, within a few minutes of waking and half way through a breastfeed. So armed with a $6.50 potty from Target, our journey began! Some people use a sink, others a simple bucket and some the toilet, whatever works for you.

I can’t remember the exact first time I put her on the potty, but she was 3 months old and able to hold her own head up, so it wasn’t too difficult. I sat her on the potty and held her there. When she eventually started to pee, I made a SHHHHH noise until she stopped. This is so she learned a ‘cue’ to go. The next time I put her on, I made the exact same noise when she peed. I kept doing this and before long, I could put her on the potty, make the noise, and she would go. It REALLY was this simple. It was around this time she also did her first potty poo. I was so excited and proud that I took photos of it and sent them to my husband at work lol! Before long her little body started forming very distinct patterns for pooping and she showed more control too. At this time we bought an insert seat for the normal toilet and she has been on there ever since. No more having to clean out the potty; just one flush and it’s all gone. Bliss!

I was determined to never make this a stressful or unhappy experience for myself and my baby. If she ever cried or kicked off when I put her on the potty, I would stop straight away. I also wouldn’t get upset if she peed during nappy off time or as I was putting the nappy back on, after all, she’s still a baby! I’ve also noticed that her willingness to participate also changes constantly. At times she will go 90% of the time she is put on the toilet, other times, like now, she will rarely sit still! But even now, despite kicking off the toilet 90% of the time, she will still do all her poops there so we’re still winning if you ask me!

The key points to getting started:

• Keep an eye out for timing patterns and get started at those times.
• Keep an eye out for body language – pulling off a feed, faces, sounds, looks, anything that you notice indicates when baby wants to go.

• Use a cue and make sure to be consistent with the same sound.

• Keep baby dry and clean as much as possible so they don’t get used to being in a soiled nappy.
• Never try and force your baby, or continue if they are upset, make it a fun experience for both of you.

• Always praise your baby when they go, show them how happy you are but never get upset or angry with them if they don’t.

• Be easy on yourself and relax. Don’t worry if there are times you can’t manage to be as focused as you need to be. Once you get bub going, they will understand even at times when you practise less frequently.

As you get better at reading your baby’s signs, your baby will also get better at knowing what to do. It is a learning process for both of you and if done in a relaxed and happy manner, one that will be both enjoyable and very rewarding. Just “go with the flow” and practise when it feels right for both of you. Once you find your own rhythm the rest will all just fall into place. I have listed some links and resources below to get you started.

Have fun!

Diaper Free Baby
Introduction to EC
Natural Parenting Sydney

Tribal Baby

© Keira Alexander 2012
Keira services South Sydney between Bondi and Wollongong. Email her today to arrange for a free nappy party or one-on-one demonstration. Join the South Sydney Facebook community.

Toilet Training for Infants

2012-01-07T14:32:00.001+13:00

We’re so excited to share the first instalment in a mini series on infant potty training, written by our lovely consultant and guest blogger, Keira.

Many thanks to Keira for sharing her insights in to this fun practice. We look forward to learning more!
Part Two can be viewed here.

Cloth nappying is great! My husband and love our pop-ins and have never thought twice about our decision to use them. However, there is no denying that a poopy cloth nappy is at times, a challenge! Imagine not having to worry about that!

Imagine teaching your baby how to use the potty on command so that a soiled nappy is a thing of the past. I probably wouldn’t have believed it either but when I stumbled across some information on the internet one day about infant potty training, otherwise known as elimination communication, something struck a chord. When I told my mum about it, I expected a giggle or two but instead I was met with the response, “oh yeah, your grandma did that with us”. And so our journey to blissful cloth nappying began. Some people think we’re nuts, some tell us it’s only “catching” or “timing” and some don’t really know what to think! But if you ask me, the proof is in the pudding. We have only had to clean 4 or 5 poopy nappies since our daughter was 4 months old, and now she’s 8 months old. To add to that, anyone that has ever seen our daughter ‘go’ is an instant believer!
There are many different resources out there for infant pottying. There are books, DVD’s, websites and groups. To be honest, I didn’t purchase a thing. I just read bits and pieces from a couple of different websites and, excuse the pun, decided to go with the flow! There are many ways to practice infant potty training;
• Full Time – Around the clock in conjunction with nappies or just trainers.
• Part time – Daytime or just at home.
• Casual – At home, usually during nappy off time.

We took the casual road. No pressure on us or baby to perform, no extra work and generally a gentle approach. Despite choosing this method, we are having fantastic success and I would now consider myself a permanent part timer. When it comes to No. 2s, it doesn’t matter where we are, what we’re doing or what time of the day or night it is, if we are given a sign, we find a toilet! As for No. 1s, we’re a lot more relaxed. Even though she does go on the loo, we’re not too fussed about a wet nappy. But in saying that, just today she showed us a new signal for wanting to pee and like clockwork, she went!

We are continually learning and improving the communication between us and our baby and we have never looked back. It is truly an amazing and satisfying experience and one that proves that our babies are quite possibly a lot smarter than we give them credit for! So how is it done you ask? For us, it was actually quite a simple and enjoyable process.

This is how we did it… {part two coming next week}
© Keira Alexander 2012

Keira services South Sydney between Bondi and Wollongong. Email her today to arrange for a free nappy party or one-on-one demonstration. Join the South Sydney Facebook community.

Win a Day Stash of New Gen Pop-Ins

2012-01-04T10:09:00.000+13:00

New Gen Pop-Ins are arriving TODAY at the warehouse and after 3 long months of waiting for these highly anticipated award-winning nappies, we're in a rather celebratory mood.

So join in the fun for your chance to score one of three little boxes of these awesome nappies!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Time to start getting E-X-C-I-T-E-D

2011-12-16T22:40:00.000+13:00

With 13 pallets of new generation pop-ins headed our way, it's time to start getting excited.

Get acquainted with these award-winning nappies NOW. Yes, they won awards before they even hit the shelves in the UK!

Find Your Consultant on Facebook

2011-12-04T23:07:00.001+13:00

It's starting to get a bit exciting around these parts as we move house, office, warehouse and town... and get ready for a huge shipment of new gen pop-ins to land!

Many of our consultants now have business pages on Facebook so you can keep up to date with what's happening in your area.

Coffs Harbour
Sydney
Dubbo
Canberra
Pakenham/West Gippsland
Melbourne
Karratha
Brisbane northside/Sunshine Coast

If your area isn't listed here, be sure to check out the Consultant page on our website for your nearest rep. They're all available for pre-orders now.

Win a Caboo for Christmas

2011-11-29T14:50:00.003+13:00

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

And we're joining in the spirit of giving - but we want our Facebook page to look a lot more like Christmas.

So for your chance to score a Jungle Vibe Caboo carrier from the new 2012 range, simply email us a photo of some of the Christmas craft you've been enjoying with your little ones and we'll upload it to a special album on our Facebook page to inspire the rest of our community.

Please email your submission to info@ozbabytrends.com.au with a short description of the craft project and a link to any relevant printables or instructions if you have them.

Entries open Tuesday 29th November from 1 pm AEDT and close Sunday 4th December at midnight (AEDT). Winner will be drawn Monday 5th December at 9 am AEDT.

OFFICIAL RULES for the CLOSE PARENT DOWN UNDER
Christmas Giveaway 2011

1. Personal information is collected only when knowingly and voluntarily submitted. Personal information submitted is used only for the purpose for which it is submitted. The personal information submitted for the purpose of this promotion will not be sold, rented or distributed to third parties.

2. Prizes are non-transferable to another person and are non-exchangeable for cash or other items.

3. The Close Parent Down Under Christmas Giveaway 2011 and all associated promotions are in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.

4. By participating in the Close Parent Down Under Christmas Giveaway 2011, you understand that you are providing your information to Oz Baby Trends and not to Facebook. The information you provide will only be used for the purpose of contacting the winner. The photo you provide will be displayed on our Facebook page, along with your name.

5. Any questions or comments regarding the Close Parent Down Under Christmas Giveaway 2011 should be directed to info at ozbabytrends dot com dot au.

6. Winner will be notified by email. Please ensure that the email you provide is valid and monitored as failure to respond to notification of winnings in a timely manner may lead to a re-draw.

7. The promotion is open to residents in Australia and New Zealand only who are aged over 18 years.

8. Limit of one entry per household.

Musings on Minimalist Parenting

2011-11-17T15:10:00.002+13:00

Healthy babies need very little. Cuddles, food, sleep, a clean nappy, you.

Children need about the same. Cuddles, food, rest, a peaceful environment and YOU.

But these days there’s so much pressure to clutter our lives and our homes with the latest toys, gadgets, electronics and theories.

Walk in to any shopping centre this time of year and the message will hit you like a tonne of bricks.

This Christmas, you need STUFF. Your children need STUFF. Just buy them lots of STUFF and they will be happy. STUFF covers over a multitude of parenting sins.

I love Christmas and I love the concept of gift giving, but I hate the way Christmas is so heavily commercialised and I can't believe we all fall for the same "MUST-GET-STUFF" mentality every year.

RANT OVER.

Christmas aside, because this post isn't meant to be about Christmas...

The concept of minimalist parenting - which has appealed to me for some time - just came to the fore of my conscience when out (Christmas) shopping last week. Shhh. Don't tell anyone!

Here are our thoughts on minimalist parenting. Feel free to add yours or correct me if I have it completely wrong!

Borrow. It’s really not necessary to buy everything yourself. Especially if you’re not certain you’ll have more children and if you have lovely rich friends who bought only the best for their only child. Things like bouncers, bassinettes, clothing, playpens and prams. Sure, it’s nice to have some new things and there’s nothing wrong with new. But there’s nothing wrong with borrowed either.

Buy Pre-Loved. I’m not in to pre-loved everything. Personally, I think things like cot mattresses and carseats should be purchased new – anything that is of particular hygiene or safety concern; not a good idea to compromise on these two! But our cot is pre-loved. It rested 2 babies before we purchased it. It’s housed my 3 little ones and will be used for our 4th. It’s perfect! If you can disinfect it and hose it down, why not??

Wait. At a recent baby expo, we showed an expectant couple the Caboo. They loved it. They wanted it. But they only had $1000 to spend and they had to get a pram. So off they went. Having had 3 children and hardly used a pram with any of them, all I wanted to do was scream at them to stop! It had nothing to do with wanting them to buy my product. For all I cared, they could have bought any carrier at the expo. I just wanted them to wait. Why spend that hard-earned $1000 when they might not even use the pram! Some children hate prams. Some children have reflux and can’t be in a pram. Some kids live in them, it’s true. But until you know what kind of a baby you have, don’t spend that much on ANYTHING!

Think smart. Glass bottles last FOREVER (if you don’t drop them) and if you invest well in a good set, you need only replace the teats for each subsequent baby. Invest in stainless steel containers rather than plastic. Plastic will not last the distance! Nappy bags are dangerous territory. You could spend $20 or you could spend $200. Whatever you do, make sure it's something you can use once they're out of nappies.

Play more. It’s so true that you are – and always will be – your child’s favourite toy. Test the theory if you don’t believe me. Give them a bunch of fabulous toys to play with then interrupt them with “hey, let’s go outside and do some exploring!” You might not have much confidence in your ability to gain the attention of a worldwide audience, but I guarantee your child will jump at the opportunity to play with you. So cull the toys.

Well actually, if you’re just starting out – don’t buy them. If you’re well into your journey as a parent, chances are you have an overflowing toy box. Purge it. Make it so the lid closes again. And then do something fun. Most kids will feel pretty cheated if you get rid of all their toys and don’t give them something to do. So play with them. Give them craft supplies. Go to the library and read books for an hour. Bake. Paint. Plant a garden. Walk to the park. Watch a movie together. Have a tea party. Dress up dolls. Play cars in the dirt. You’ll be surprised how few toys and gadgets your children need to make them happy. Most of the time we buy lots of toys for our kids to make up for our own absence. But like all human beings, all they really want and need are other human beings.

Am I on the right track? Could I be a minimalist parent, do you think?

© Oz Baby Trends 2011

Consultant Call Out

2011-11-15T22:41:00.005+13:00

Do you LURVE the Close products? Want to spread the babywearing and cloth nappying love? Want to start your own home biz selling an award-winning range of products that you use and probably already subconsciously promote?

We are looking for consultants to service areas that aren't already represented by a consultant, in particular Adelaide, Brisbane, Darwin and many of the large regional centres.

If this sounds like something you would have a blast doing, please email Eva for a Consultant Kit - info@ozbabytrends.com.au

Just want to book a party? Find your local consultant Here.

Lesson 101 – improving the pop-in

2011-11-10T16:21:00.012+13:00

Yeah I know, I know. How could they possibly have improved the multi-award winning, world-renowned POP-IN? We get asked this question all the time. How could a nappy that is already so darn good at it's job possibly be promoted to an even higher position, with more capabilities and perks?

Here's how...

The soaker set is now snapped together by a separate tag of fabric at the end of each booster. This means a quicker drying time, more thorough washing and no strain on the fabrics.

The outer shell is smooth for both bamboo and minkee pop-ins which means no pilling; your nappies will look as good in 2 years as they do today!

The inside of the shell now incorporates a polar fleece absorbent panel to help absorb excess liquid when the nappy is saturated. This clever little addition also prevents compression leaks.

New improved quality and sizing of the Velcro makes for a better, more flexible and durable fit.

The new nighttime booster slides over the new design top slim day booster to make for easy and shift-free booster fitting.

The new nighttime booster incorporates a top panel of polar fleece over the bamboo. This creates a stay dry barrier, eliminating the need for a separate liner.

New general day boosters will also be available to help boost nappies for naps, traveling and heavy wetters.

And of course, the nappies will be available in a range of gorgeous new colours and prints! It can't get much better than this!

New Season Caboo

2011-11-07T10:36:00.005+13:00

We're so excited because this week, we are expecting our first shipment of new season Caboos! The Caboo will now be available in SIX gorgeous neutral colours - all classy, all different to suit the different tastes of Australian families.

The 3 new colours (from top to bottom): Jungle Vibe, Totally Taupe, Frost Grey

These will be available for pre-order through your local stockist or consultant over the next week.

November Mother’s Group Challenge

2011-10-31T13:22:00.001+13:00

What is the Mother’s Group Challenge?

Mothers can and do make a difference in the lives of those around them every day. In our experience groups of mothers can make a BIG difference and so the inspiration behind the Mother's Group Challenge is... you! Each month we will plan a Mother's Group Challenge that you can choose to take up. Bear in mind that it's not meant to be done alone, so grab your mummy's group buddies and get it happening together!

Who
So far, we’ve sent nappies to children with HIV/AIDS in Thailand, cloth pads to the women of PNG and prepared care packs for Aussie foster kids. Your Mother's Group Challenge for November 2011 is somewhat closer home! This month, it’s something relatively simple. Something that the kids can really get involved in and something that will affect them directly.

What
About 2 years ago, the local council erected a lovely little play equipment set at a park just 5 minutes’ walk from our house. It was fabulous! We went there everyday and enjoyed the luxury of a fabulous fun park close to home. About 1 week after the park was completed, we arrived there to find that the slippery dip had been written on (in language too foul for our humble blog!) and a mess of empty beer bottles had been strewn about. We called the local council to complain but it took nearly 2 weeks for them to clean it up. In retrospect, I should have just taken a pair of gloves and a plastic bag and done the clean-up myself! That’s what we’re doing in November…

How

Rubbish
Grab yourself a pair of gardening or rubber gloves and a pair for the kids. Supervise closely as they pick up the rubbish at your local park. Watch for glass and other sharps! If your park is seriously trashed, I wouldn’t recommend this, but often it’s just a few empty chip packets and some drink bottles that need to be removed.

Graffiti
Don’t wait for your local council to do their annual graffiti removal routine! Now it’s true, a lot of graffiti is not easily removed without the use of toxic industrial cleaning agents! So save that for the council… but if most of your graffiti is the permanent marker type, nail polish remover works a treat!

Encouragement
Encourage your local teens to use the park in the evenings but to clean up after themselves. You can do this by laminating an A4 sheet welcoming everyone to enjoy the swings and slide (even 15 year olds love those monkey bars!) but asking them to please refrain from using the park as a chalk board and to take their rubbish with them. If there is no rubbish bin close by, ask your council to provide one. If your laminated A4 sheet disappears, ask the council to provide a tin sign with words to the same affect. I used to work with teenagers - you might be surprised how well they respond to the words ‘please’ and ‘thank-you’. And they really are quite happy to keep the place clean when they are reminded that it is used by babies and toddlers.

When
NOW! This month. Resolve to do this sometime during November 2011. Whether you get together once a week, once a fortnight or only once a month; make sure you do it this month. There is no better time for action that today. We would love to see your local park spruced up and ready for some summer fun!

Why
Because this is something we can do! It’s a great way to teach children social responsibility. Leading by example is the only way children learn well. And children who have been asked to pick up rubbish that is not theirs (out of respect for everyone) will be less inclined to throw their own rubbish on the ground.

WHO'S IN?? Let us know how your group decides to tackle the challenge, share your ideas and post before and after photos of your local park!

More Awards

2011-10-20T20:58:00.006+13:00

GOLD FOR POP-IN NAPPY IN PRACTICAL PARENTING AWARDS

Close, the company which prides itself on creating good products for great
parents, has scooped one Gold award in this year’s Practical Parenting awards.

The pop-in +minkee nappy range beat off stiff competition to win the top award
– this time in the reusable nappy section.

Offering parents the ability to tailor the
nappy to their baby’s requirements, Close’s pop-in scored highly as a night-time
nappy. Caboo +organic was also a finalist in the awards.

This month, Close also impressed the Practical Pre-school judges with the pop-in
and Training Pants awarded silver and Caboo +organic, a bronze award.

Martine Carroll, Close’s managing director commented: “At Close we have a
passion for creating wonderfully made and honestly considered products for
parents and their babies. Our biggest pleasure comes from seeing babies happy
in our products, however these awards come a very close second!”

Caboo
1. Practical Pre-School Awards 2011 - BRONZE
2. Practical Parenting & Pregnancy Awards 2011-2012 - FINALIST

Pop-in
1. Practical Parenting & Pregnancy Awards 2011-2012 - GOLD (POP-IN +MINKEE)
2. Practical Parenting & Pregnancy Awards 2011-2012 - FINALIST (POP-IN +BAMBOO)
3. Practical Pre-School Awards 2011 - SILVER

Training Pants
1. Practical Parenting & Pregnancy Awards 2011-2012 - FINALIST
2. Practical Pre-School Awards 2011 - SILVER

Label of Choice: Mum

2011-10-07T16:27:00.005+13:00

Apparently, I am a green parent. I don’t particularly like the term; it conjures up images of unshaven limbs, unlocked doors and the distinct absence of deodorant.

But despite my protestations, it stands that in today’s competitive world of parenting formulas, I am almost absolutely lumped with the ‘green’ kind. And it’s kind of funny because I never considered myself a greenie. Or a hippy.

The term eco or green parent often has negative connotations (remember the unshaven limbs?), but if you turn back the clock a generation or two, you could have classed every parent as a green parent.

Cloth nappies, babywearing, minimal toys, homemade food, hand-me-down clothing and a natural preschool education that flowed from life in a community (it takes a village to raise a child)… these were the norm. There was no alternative.

But now we have a choice. There is an alternative. We could choose disposable nappies, prams, tonnes of plastic educational toys, store-bought food, brand new designer clothing and a formalised preschool education that starts at birth with a child’s first Baby Einstein board book.

And this would probably afford us the term ‘modern’ parent.

Now don’t get me wrong. I love to mix and match. Because I’ve discovered you can’t go jogging with a baby in a carrier. And tinned baby food is rather handy on long car trips.

I love that we have the choice. Because it means we can make a decision we feel good about and can really own. I’m sure my grandmother would have loved the opportunity to choose disposables once in a while! And I doubt she would have considered cloth nappy advocacy a serious endeavour. Who on earth would have the time to lobby for a nappy, I hear her ask?

But the fact that we have choices today means that we can all get rather passionate about it. The recent Channel 7s Sunrise debate is a prime example. The morning show asked its viewers: "cloth or disposable". Within an hour, there were hundreds of responses and the contention continued throughout the day with over 1000 responses on their Facebook thread. Mothering, it seems, is a highly competitive sport and every mother feels the need to defend her decisions. Why? Who cares?

Well, we do. We want to know – we want to be completely sure – that our decisions are good for our children, not detrimental to them as others are implying.

While I’m the first to get passionate about cloth nappying and babywearing, homemade food and handmade clothing, it’s good to remember from time to time that the labels aren’t important. As much as I dislike the term ‘green’ parent and want to shout from the rooftops that I’m a ‘traditional’ parent, I don’t want to raise my children by labels.

I want to raise my children according to a method that fosters a peaceful and happy family. If this means disposables for a few weeks while we endure a gastro bug, then so be it!

Whoops! Did I just say that?? Maybe I’m not so green after all.

© Oz Baby Trends 2011

October Mother's Group Challenge

2011-09-27T17:08:00.006+13:00

What is the Mother’s Group Challenge?

Mothers can and do make a difference in the lives of those around them every day. In our experience groups of mothers can make a BIG difference and so the inspiration behind the Mother's Group Challenge is... you! Each month we will plan a Mother's Group Challenge that you can choose to take up. Bear in mind that it's not meant to be done alone, so grab your mummy's group buddies and get it happening together!

Who
Your Mother's Group Challenge for October 2011 is… cloth pads to empower women! This month we are supporting a religious community in Papua New Guinea that distributes cloth pads to women in their area. As with all religious communities, this is not their only contribution to their area they service, but it is an area in which we can help out.

What
In many countries around the world, women aren’t as fortunate as we are in Australia. They can’t simply walk into their local supermarket and pick a pack of pads from the overflowing shelves. In many developing countries, the best they have is rags (if that). Many teenage girls are forced to take a week off school each month because menstruation is such a difficult experience. Our contact in Papua New Guinea was overjoyed with the first lot of 30 pads our mother’s group sent them. They have asked us to send more, but we can’t possibly supply the necessary quantity on our own!

So while we will be busy sewing cloth pads to send to PNG, we’d love you to join us! And to save on postage (the last lot cost over $40 to send), we will post them all together. Please just email us (info@ozbabytrends.com.au) for an Australian postal address.

How

Make
All-In-One style cloth pads are the easiest for use and care. It is important that the pads have a waterproof layer and at least 3 layers of absorbency. There are some great patterns available on the web.

THIS is a great AIO pattern.
And HERE is an AIO pattern that’s a little bit more fancy.

A heartfelt thanks to the women who designed, created, tested and compiled these patterns for home use!

If you don’t have a snap press, please don’t worry! We do, and will happily put snaps on your pads prior to sending them off. We will also print off simple care instructions that will be distributed with the pads.

Tips:
• Wet bags work a treat for the waterproof layer. Try and get your hands on some seconds wet bags from your favourite MCN manufacturer.
• Flannel is on special at Spotlight at the moment with end of season clearances. If you’re a good talker, they might even give you some for free!
• Ask your friends – surely someone has half a metre of cotton or flannel fabric that they’re not using. Would they like to help the cause by donating it to your Mother's Group?

Collect
Not much into sewing?
• Put aside 40 cents a day to purchase a pad and have it sent with your group's pack.
• Ask your favourite retailer if they have any seconds or ex demo stock they can part with.

Please note: We will not send used cloth pads to our sisters in developing countries.

When
NOW! This month. Resolve to do this for October 2011. Whether you get together once a week, once a fortnight or only once a month; make sure you do it this month. There is no better time for action that today. The need is real and immediate. And we will be posting our cloth pad package in early November, so if you want us to post yours off also, please endeavour to get them posted to us by 31 October. Email us for the address: info@ozbabytrends.com.au

Why
Because this is something we can do! Because the women in PNG need cloth pads and because it’s fun! Sewing pads is fun. Making a difference is fun. Mother’s Group is fun.

WHO'S IN?? Let us know how your group decides to tackle the challenge, share your ideas and post photos!

Improving on Perfect

2011-09-20T21:57:00.004+12:00

I am one of those die-hard Pop-In fans who simply refused to believe that Close could have outdone their night nappying solution.

Why change something that works? Something so perfect? Well, perhaps not perfect, but near enough to. If I could have changed two things about the old dri-night booster, it would have been the bulk and the drying time. But I wouldn’t have been game. Who wants to slim down a booster that’s meant to keep our babies dry for 10+ hours? I was quite happy with my fat bottomed babies if it meant a dry night for them and a sleep through for me.

Then along came the new nighttime booster.

And guess what! It’s slimmer (by a THIRD) and dries in HALF the time of the old style. But how can this last all night, you ask.

I don’t know! But it does! I’ve been trialing (read: torturing) the new design on my 1 year old for 2 weeks now and this fabulous little upgrade survived the following scenarios:

1. {Inside a dream dri nappy} 3 hour slot after 240 ml of milk WITHOUT being pre-washed. Yep. Straight from the air post satchel and into the nappy. Do as I say, not as I do, ok?
2. {Inside a dream dri nappy} 5 hour slot after 240 ml of milk and after just one wash.
3. {Inside an original nappy} 10 hour slot after 2 washes and a bottle of milk.
4. Repeated scenario 3 another 4 times with no leaks, no rash and no problems.

I washed and dried an old night booster every time I washed the new one and the new one dried literally in half the time EVERY time.

Too good to be true? Keep tabs on our Facebook page for your chance to review the new boosters and find out for yourself.

Composition:
Bottom layer:-70% bamboo viscose, 30% cotton. Top layer—100% polyester
The new boosters will be available in the bulk nappy packs or on their own in a pack of 3. The new boosters fit comfortably inside the V2 original and the V2 and V3 dream dri.

The Ultimate in Soft Carrier Comfort and Design

2011-09-20T20:59:00.007+12:00

Easy to fit and adjust, the Caboo is a multi-award winning carrier designed to hold and support baby in the correct physiological frog leg position; baby is high and close to parents’ heart giving natural movement and a feeling of security for a happy, contented baby.

Meanwhile the soft wide straps provide the all-important support from the top of the baby’s head to the base of the spine. The new toggle feature on the wrap cleverly cups the baby’s bottom providing extra support.

Caboo conforms to current EN standards for soft carriers and adheres to the T.I.C.K.S guidelines for safe baby carrying.

The Caboo is made from 100% organic cotton, certified by the Global Organic Textiles Standard and is dyed using Oeko-tex standard dyes that contain no harsh or harmful chemicals.

Some recent reviews:
Ethical Shopping For Babies
Mummy Mishaps
MWWAH

Safe Babywearing - A Reminder

2011-09-19T22:14:00.002+12:00

For the large version, please click HERE.

Have you caught on?

2011-09-08T14:53:00.002+12:00

It’s Europe’s best kept secret! Trusted for centuries and known for it’s calming properties, Baltic amber is a fossilized resin which is used as the natural alternative to pain relief for teething babies. And many other ailments!

Genuine Baltic amber contains succinic acid, which acts as a natural analgesic. The affects of Baltic amber are so certain that teething necklaces are available in pharmacies across Europe. We’ve even spotted them making an appearance in Australian pharmacies.

Here are just a few of the things our family uses Baltic amber for:

- The over 45 gals use it for relief from symptoms associated with menopause, for headaches, to ease the discomfort associated with arthritis and to procure a good night’s sleep.

- The blue collar workers use it for back pain and to sleep in past 3 am.

- The pregnant ladies use it for prevention of neck and shoulder problems when travelling. It also seems to have had a positive affect on the sciatic nerve.

- Our babies and toddlers wear it for teething, general calming and to boost immunity… and because they’re just plain cute!

- The treatment of allergy-related facial rash.

What do YOU use Baltic amber for?

© Oz Baby Trends 2011

September Mother's Group Challenge

2011-08-26T15:35:00.002+12:00

What is the Mother’s Group Challenge?

Mothers can and do make a difference in the lives of those around them every day. In our experience groups of mothers can make a BIG difference and so the inspiration behind the Mother's Group Challenge is... you! Each month we will plan a Mother's Group Challenge that you can choose to take up. Bear in mind that it's not meant to be done alone, so grab your mummy's group buddies and get it happening together!

Who
We are supporting Agape Home. Agape is situated in Chiang Mai, Thailand and is a home for children with HIV/AIDS. There are currently 80 children in this home. Agape received an award for the most outstanding non Government organisation from the Thailand Government and is a well known example for other orphanages and other care takers come and learn from Agape. Here is their website: http://www.nikkisplace.org/

What
Your Mother's Group Challenge for September 2011 is to provide cloth nappies for Agape! Yes, this orphanage uses cloth nappies!

We have been sending ex demo stock to the home for over 2 years and often receive photos from Australian volunteers of the babies wearing our nappies.

How
Of course, nappies cost money and we don't expect you to go and buy a stash to send to Agape, but here are some things that you CAN do - on your own or as a mother's group!

1. Go through your nappy stash and find a nappy that has rarely (if ever) been used. Do you need it? Really? If not, pop it aside for the nappy pack your group is getting together.

2. Put aside $1 a day to purchase a nappy and have it sent with your group's pack.

3. Do you sew? Have some spare PUL lying around? There are loads of free nappy making patterns online - why not have a sewing bee to make some nappies to send?

4. Ask your favourite retailer if they have any seconds or ex demo stock they can part with.

5. Wipes and flushable liners are also useful.

One-size nappies are best and AI2 or pockets are also optimal because they don't require a cover and dry so quickly. But any new or excellent condition nappies will be gratefully accepted. Please don't send anything you wouldn't put on your own baby.

Where
The nappies can be sent to our Australian volunteer contact who herself makes annual visits to Agape. If however, it is not close to her time of leaving, she will pass it along to another Aussie volunteer to take over - there is someone visiting all the time. Please contact us for the address: info@ozbabytrends.com.au

When
NOW! This month. Resolve to do this for September 2011. Whether you get together once a week, once a fortnight or only once a month; make sure you do it this month. There is no better time for action that today.

Why
Because this is something we can do! Because the children need nappies and because it's fun! I can't tell you how exciting it is to package up a bundle of nappies, knowing they will grace a baby's bottom thousands of kilometres away in an orphange in Thailand.

WHO'S IN?? Let us know how your group decides to tackle the challenge, share your ideas and post photos!

August Mother's Group Challenge

2011-08-26T15:07:00.002+12:00

In case you blinked and missed August (I know I did!) here's the August Mother's Group Challenge, which can of course be done at any time of the year. Watch this space for September's challenge, coming soon!

What is the Mother’s Group Challenge?

Mothers can and do make a difference in the lives of those around them every day. In our experience groups of mothers can make a BIG difference and so the inspiration behind the Mother's Group Challenge is... you! Each month we will plan a Mother's Group Challenge that you can choose to take up. Bear in mind that it's not meant to be done alone, so grab your mummy's group buddies and get it happening together!

Who
We are choosing to support Backpacks 4 Aussie Kids (B4AK) this month.Tens of thousands of children are placed in foster care each year in Australia. B4AK is an organization that is dedicated to provided children in foster care with a backpack that contains essential and personal items.

What
Your Mother's Group Challenge for August 2011 is to create CARE PACKS for these Aussie troopers! Creating little care packs for children in foster care is so easy and can make such a huge difference.

Items most needed at the moment are:
Undies
Toothbrush/paste
Mini shampoo and bath wash
Dummies
Bottles
Formula sachets
Torch
Clothing size 5 and up (good, pre-loved condition are welcome)

Make sure you package them (small plastic bags are fine) and label them for the age/gender of the child, including a list of what the care pack contains so that the coordinators can just pick it up and pop it in a backpack. It’s also nice to get your kids to go through their toys and books and choose a toy or book that they want to give away. Something clean and in good usable condition.

Another idea is to collect backpacks. Do a door knock of your neighbourhood and collect backpacks that are in good condition that the organisation can use to package these essential items.

How
Of course, most of the items on this list need to be new so you will need to either commit to putting aside some money each day or fundraise. An easy way to do it is to break up the list. Say you decide to make packages for 5 year olds and there are 8 mums in your group. Decide on 8 items you will put in your care packs (undies, toothpaste, toothbrush, mini shampoo/conditioner, torch with batteries, toy, colouring book, pencils) and each commit to save 50c-$1 a day for the month. With that $15-$30, you can purchase 8 of each item (or collect the toys/books) and create the care packs.

Where
To find your local project, please visit: http://www.backpacks4aussiekids.com.au/Articles/project-needs-in-each-area.html If none of these are local to you, please consider fundraising to send the items to the area that needs your specific care packs.

When
NOW! This month. Resolve to do this for August 2011. Whether you get together once a week, once a fortnight or only once a month; make sure you do it this month. There is no better time for action that today.

Why
Because the children need us to do this. And now.

WHO'S IN?? Let us know how your group decides to tackle the challenge, share your ideas and post photos!

Nappy Rash – What’s a Mum to do?

2011-08-04T10:01:00.003+12:00

Many thanks to our guest blogger, Dr Emma Vieira, for this fabulous article tackling an age-old problem.

Our note: It is always recommended to use a liner (disposable or reusable) when using any type of barrier cream with your modern cloth nappies.

One of the most common presentations in paediatric general practice is nappy rash – it is a condition familiar (and frustrating!) to most mums and dads. The purpose of this article is to give a brief overview of the current approach to preventing and managing infant nappy rash.

So what is nappy rash?
Nappy rash is an inflammatory condition of the skin underlying the nappy area. It most commonly affects pre-toilet-trained babies who are in nappies all the time, with the highest incidence in babies under the age of 12 months.

Why does it occur?
It is currently believed that over-hydration under the nappy, resulting in an irritant dermatitis (skin inflammation), is the most likely cause of nappy rash.
Some risk factors for nappy rash include:
• leaving a child in the same nappy for longer than about two hours (even less if the nappy is soiled with faeces) – urine and faeces are irritating to the skin
• a family history of eczema or other skin problems such as psoriasis can predispose to nappy rash or cause other conditions which mimic nappy rash
• some commercial nappy wipes, bubble baths, soaps, and cleansers contain perfumed products and chemicals that are irritating to the skin

Cloth or disposables?
There is an ongoing debate about whether cloth nappies are more or less likely to cause nappy rash, and there is not enough evidence from good-quality trials to support the role of either cloth or disposable nappies in reducing the risk. The most important factor in either case is the frequency of nappy changes. If you use cloth nappies, they should be washed in hot water, then put through a rinse cycle to remove residual detergent. It has been suggested that tumble-drying the inserts may help as it softens the fabric.

What to do?
So how do we manage nappy rash? I would always advise seeing your GP before starting anything over-the-counter – it is easy to get into a frustrating (and expensive!) cycle of trying many different treatments, only to find that none of them work, or at least not for very long. This can be because the diagnosis is wrong – ie. it’s not really nappy rash after all – or because the treatments are either inappropriate or not being used for long enough.

It is important to appreciate that, very often, nappy rash is not a pure “irritant” condition – yeasts, in particular Candida albicans, frequently cause a superimposed fungal infection in babies with an underlying dermatitis. It is therefore usually necessary to treat both the irritant/inflammatory and the infective components of the rash – this requires a topical steroid plus a topical antifungal cream. My usual practice is to commence a combined steroid/antifungal cream for 1 week, then use the antifungal alone for another week.

In addition to the fungal infection, there can also be a bacterial infection – a “triple whammy”, which will need to be treated with antibacterial creams (occasionally oral antibiotics will be necessary, but this is rare). This kind of infection usually presents with small pus-filled lesions in addition to the angry, reddened irritation of the underlying rash.

If your doctor prescribes a steroid cream, it is important that you use it frequently and for the recommended period of time. While you may see an almost immediate response to the cream, it is necessary to continue because the inflammation and infection take at least this long to clear.

Steroid medications often get a lot of “bad press” due to their unwanted side effects – however, it is important to remember that these are usually only an issue with oral forms of steroids; topical preparations are poorly absorbed into the bloodstream and their systemic (ie. effect on the whole body) is negligible over such a short period of time. The most common steroid preparation used for nappy rash is hydrocortisone 1%, which is very safe if used appropriately. Stronger preparations should not be used for this type of dermatitis.

Simple things you can do to help prevent nappy rash:
• change your baby’s nappy every 2 hours – more often if they are soiled with faeces
• give your baby nappy-free time when possible – harder in winter and in cold climates
• use a barrier cream at every nappy change – zinc-based creams are useful, as are simpler options such as vaseline
• avoid commercial nappy wipes – where necessary, a soft cloth soaked in lukewarm water will do the same job and be less irritating to sensitive skin (bearing in mind that the skin should be completely dry when you put the nappy on)
• reduce frequency of bathing where possible, and bath baby in lukewarm rather than hot water

Where to from here?
Nappy rash is a common, usually self-limiting, often chronic, condition which can be easily managed in most cases. The most important aspects are prevention and, where prevention has failed, perseverance with treatment. It has a tendency to recur even after treatment, often needs to be re-treated, and in some babies, will never completely disappear until they are fully toilet-trained.

Don’t forget that there are other rare conditions which may look like nappy rash, but which require further investigation or management – if there is any doubt, even if your child has had “typical” nappy rash before, it is always wise to see your GP.

© Emma Vieira 2011

Dr Emma Vieira is a GP registrar in part-time practice in western Sydney. She lives in Sydney with her husband and their 2-year-old daughter.

References:
Fischer, Gayle. “Nappy rash” in Medicine Today, vol. 11 no. 6, June 2010.
Murtagh, John. Murtagh’s General Practice. McGraw-Hill. Sydney: 2007.

A Wee Grand Invention

2011-07-25T15:21:00.003+12:00

I have a very short and extremely selective list of must-haves for a new baby. Brolly sheets are one of those things I never thought I’d need (MY kids will never wet the bed!) but which made it to my Top 5 on their first night in the house. Turns out this unassuming invention is one of the best investments we’ve made in the past 5 years.

Brolly sheets top my list for the toilet training stage but also rank high for use from birth. Yes. Birth. They are the perfect size for a cot, so our 11 month old has one as a mattress protector. Prior to this, it was a floor protector for his frequent nappy free time. Now I can’t keep him on anything, so we don’t bother trying to waterproof his space.

My trusty brolly sheet (I own… ahem… more than 1) accompanies us on car trips. It’s been known to line prams, car seats, trolleys and even the floor under a high chair. Yes, some people have carpet in their dining room and the last thing you want to do is clean spaghetti sauce off your hostess’ beige carpet.

Everything about this product screams ‘practical’. They are machine washable, can be tumble dried, changeable in 3 seconds and so versatile! The idea of brolly sheets is that you can just whip off the wet one and replace it with a dry one at 2 am almost without opening your eyes.

And anything that can be used for purposes above and beyond those for which it was intended has my vote.

One mattress protector from birth through to dry nights? Yes please!
One play mat from birth through to tidy eating? Yes please!
One cover for car seats, prams, trolleys and change tables? YES PLEASE!

Brolly sheets are a seriously economical investment. Economical for savings in time, money and space.

And they’re available through our Consultants :)

© Oz Baby Trends 2011

Cloth Nappies onTwins? – You Must be Joking

2011-07-18T15:33:00.003+12:00

Ever toyed with the idea of twins in cloth? Enjoy this article by Ainslee Jacobson about her experience with cloth nappying her babies. Many thanks to Ainslee for allowing us to publish this brilliant and immensely helpful article.

Our note: This article was written for a New Zealand audience. For the Australian Nappy Network website, please Click Here. Also please note that the use of Napisan is not recommended with your modern cloth nappies and can void your warranty :)

When I would tell people I was pregnant with twins they would spend at least 2 minutes telling me how hard it was going to be with a pitying look in their eye. Imagine their surprise when I then told them I was going to use cloth nappies. Many thought I was joking or would say “You won't last two weeks, you'll be using disposables in no time!” Well, 14 months down the track I am proud to say that both my boys are still wearing their cloth nappies and I have lived to tell the tale.

When you mention cloth nappies most people's first thoughts are of the white square of fabric with the red stripe hanging by the dozen on a clothesline. The reality is that cloth nappies have undergone a major redesign in the past 15 years and are now much easier to use, more absorbent and dare we say fashionable. Admittedly my decision to use cloth nappies was less about fashion and more about saving money and reducing my impact on the environment.

I first started looking into cloth nappies when I found out I was pregnant. When I subsequently found I was pregnant with twins, I furiously searched the internet for stories of mothers who had successfully wrapped two babies in cloth. The information was limited and so I settled for advice from singleton parents and hoped for the best.

Not one to take the easy option, I decided to make my own nappies. I had looked at one or two nappies and thought “how hard can this be”. Full of the excitement of a new challenge I went onto www.thenappynetwork.org.nz which had loads of information about cloth nappies, and also free nappy patterns to download. I became slightly bamboozled by all the options, and my enthusiasm for the task began to fizzle. After a lot of research I decided on the pocket nappy because it looked the easiest to use and the easiest to make yourself.

The pocket nappy consists of a “nappy” which has a waterproof outer and microfibre inner and a hole between the two layers for the absorbent “stuffer” or “insert”. To secure the pocket nappy you can either go for Velcro or plastic snaps that either do up at the front or on the side of the nappy. I went with plastic snaps that do up at the front because it seemed closest to the style of the disposable and they wouldn't stick to anything in the wash. Even though I then had to purchase a snap machine it was worth it. I have snapped up sleeping bags, bibs and my dad has even used it for his car upholstery. I was able to save money on the stuffers by sewing together a combination of old thin bath towel, flat cloth nappy, or bamboo fabric with a microfibre layer on top.

The purchase of brightly coloured fabric and accessories from Greenbeans.co.nz came to $350 and this included the rather industrial looking snap machine. Once I had modified the original pattern slightly and tested a few samples on my baby doll I started the process of cutting, snapping and sewing. All up making both small and large nappies only took a total of a week. I only threw a small number of tantrums (I blame the baby hormones) and my mum ended up having to sew in the elastic.

When the babies were born I started to wonder if the decision to use cloth was a good one. We used disposables exclusively for the first few weeks while I got my head around caring for two babies. Then when I started using the cloth nappies it did seem to take a long time to get into the routine of using, cleaning, washing and drying. Getting up close and personal with poo was a new experience for me. You do need to be prepared to be grossed out and there's just no way around it. Perseverance was the key and eventually we did get there.

Once using the nappies I changed the process slightly and instead of putting the stuffer inside the nappy, I simply laid it on top of the microfibre inner and placed the liner on top. We used disposables at night because my stuffers weren't as absorbent as commercial types, and we used disposables when we were out and about. I found that I did have to change the nappies more regularly than disposables as there was leakage. This was likely due to the sewing or the absorbency of the fabric used in the stuffer.

There have been times when I have got thoroughly fed-up with the nappies, so I would cut myself some slack and use disposables for a while. After a year of using the nappies those times are much less frequent and I am proud that I have remained committed to my original decision. So if you are thinking about using cloth nappies don't be put off by the doubters - it is easier than you might think.

Here are some key points about cloth nappies, which may help you make your nappy decision:

• Try before you buy – there are so many styles and brands to choose from. Many companies offer trial packs so you can test the waters without investing too much cash. Some ante-natal groups arrange for each mum to try a different brand to compare with the others. For more information on the various styles of nappies available go to www.thenappynetwork.org.nz

• Along with styles, there are securing options – snaps vs. Velcro, or One Size Fits All. One size fits all can work if your kids have different growth spurts.

• If using pocket nappies, different stuffer fabrics offer different levels of absorbency. For daytime, the towel/cloth nappy/microfibre insert combo works well. For night-time consider bamboo fabric inserts.

• Infantisimal in Island Bay run regular nappy workshops (with Honey Child brand nappies) and may be a good source of information.

• I made 24 of the smaller size nappies and 20 of the larger size, with approximately 35 stuffers that have worked with both sizes. The smaller size fitted the boys from newborn until around 11 months and the larger size should fit through to potty training (hopefully). You will need to do the laundry daily in order to have enough nappies for each day.

• Yes, the set up costs can seem inhibitive, but for that your weekly grocery bill will be a lot cheaper (and your rubbish bag will be a lot smaller).

• It doesn't matter when you potty train your kids as keeping them in nappies won't cost you any more.

• A common complaint about cloth nappies is the amount of washing you need to do. You do need to do a wash everyday. It does add extra time to the day – just not enough to be a nuisance. Weather is an issue, and without a dryer I still only used one drying rack for the majority of the winter.

• When washing nappies you can chose to do a warm wash each time. I use a cold wash daily (they are soaked in Napisan overnight) and then put the nappies through a hot wash each month to lift nappy cream residue. It's best to use “sensitive” washing powder, and less than you normally would for regular washing.

• A common misnomer is that cloth nappies cause nappy rash. According to www.thenappylady.co.nz research carried out at Bristol University showed that children in cloth nappies were no more likely to have severe nappy rash than children in disposables. The key is to change the nappy as soon as baby has poohed and keeping their bums clean. “Nappy off” time is a great way to combat nappy rash. Just make sure you keep an eye on the babies.

• You can take your cloth nappies on holiday with you. Camping might challenge the process, however if you have a toilet, a washtub and a washing machine you should be fine. Just be aware that if you plan to travel with your cloth nappies they do take a lot of space in your bag.

• They have a resale value. One mother I spoke with sold the first lot for almost what she paid for them. The next size (the One Size Fits All) were used for 2 years (her children were potty trained at 2.5), and she then sold them to people wishing to try the concept of cloth nappies before buying the whole lot.

• Don't give up! When you bring your babies home it can feel like there is no time to even think let alone worry about cleaning nappies. Don't worry, give yourself some time and start using them when your brain feels like it is finally starting to engage with your body again. I know lots of parents who have started using cloth nappies only once their children have reached their first birthday.

Thank you to Kirsty Prentice and Andrew McLellan for their input.

© Ainslee Jacobson 2011 - first published in the Wellington Multiple Birth Club Newsletter – May 2011

Mum of Three Named Customer Service Finalist in National AusMumpreneur Awards

2011-07-17T21:15:00.003+12:00

Local business woman named as a finalist in National AusMumpreneur Awards.

Expectant mum of three and founder of Oz Baby Trends, Eva Van Strijp, has been selected as a finalist in the 2011 Bio-Oil AusMumpreneur Awards.

The 2011 Bio-Oil AusMumpreneur Awards presented by connect2mums celebrate and recognize Mums in business achieving outstanding success in areas such as business, product development, services and innovation in businesses from Australia and New Zealand. The awards are designed to recognize the growing number of women who successfully balance motherhood and business in a way that suits their life and family.

“As a mother of three, all of the products that I sell come backed by my own personal experience and product knowledge. I recommend the Close brand from a parent’s perspective, as well as from my past experience as a retailer of the products.

Although on paper we are simply wholesale distributors for an award-winning brand of baby-care products, in reality we are much more than that. We service our retailers and their customers on a more personal level, guiding new parents in the areas of breastfeeding, sleeping and settling, weaning, teething, toilet training, skincare and infant development.

We are constantly striving to improve customer service and information flow to both retailers and the public regarding baby-wearing and cloth nappying. Our mission is to raise awareness of both practices as beneficial to the child, the parent and our society.”

There are many benefits to balancing business and motherhood as Eva Van Strijp explains, “I am inspired daily by my children, who, as the end users of the products we sell, are directly affected by them. Their positive response to these products encourages my passion for instinctive parenting.”

It can be challenging to be a successful business woman whilst raising a family and Eva gives this advice for others thinking about starting their own enterprise.”The challenge to prioritise is constant but I am continually looking for better ways to organise and prioritise so that I can enjoy life and get the most out of my business. Each week I stumble across fantastic new ideas from other WAHMs and try to implement the ones that complement or improve my current systems.”

Winners will be selected by a public vote at www.connect2mums.com.au with voting closing at midnight on Sunday 21 August 2011. The winners of the 2011 Bio-Oil AusMumpreneur Awards will be announced at a glamorous Awards dinner at Mercure Sydney on Saturday 27 August 2011.

For more information on the AusMumpreneur Awards visit: www.connect2mums.com.au or contact Peace Mitchell on 0416 258 586 or connect2mums@gmail.com
For an interview with Eva Van Strijp contact 0432 591 017

Winter Warmer

2011-07-02T21:52:00.002+12:00

Well we're only a third of the way through winter, and I don't know about you but I'm finding this on again-off again weather is starting to mess with my head. Nappies go on the line, then come back off again, then go back out again... I think I'll just start putting them inside from the outset!

There's no better time to take advantage of our winter warmer Pop-In promo to top up your stash with award-winning nappies, get more bang for your buck and have spares for when the weather just won't let up.

To take advantage of our winter warmer promotion, please visit your local Stockist or Consultant.

Caboo Launch Tag and Win for $1

2011-06-08T20:34:00.002+12:00

Our small shipment of Caboos has landed ahead of the Brisbane PBC expo launch in a fortnight. Click Here to get your free ticket. The Caboo will be available at a fabulous launch price from our equally fabulous retailer, Nest Nappies.

But for those of you who just can't wait for the launch, here's your chance to be the very first Aussie/Kiwi parent with a Caboo!

Tag yourself to win a Close Caboo... with a $1 catch :)

What do you need to do?

Head over to our Facebook page where you'll find a photo album filled with images of the Caboo. It's called the Tag to Win album. All you need to do is tag yourself in just ONE of the photos to enter. We'll compile all the tagged entries into random.org to draw a winner on Wednesday 15th of June at 9 pm.

Best of luck!

Terms and Conditions

1. The competition is open to Australian and New Zealand residents only who are aged over 18 years.

2. The Close Parent Down Under Caboo Launch Promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.

3. Any questions or comments regarding the Close Parent Down Under Caboo Launch Promotion should be directed to info at ozbabytrends dot com dot au.

4. Prize is non-transferable to another person and is non-exchangeable for cash or other items.

5. Due to Facebook rules precluding a giveaway, we need to charge $1 to the winner of the Caboo.

6. The winner may choose from the current three available colours.

How about a part-time pack of Pop-Ins for $1?

2011-05-25T21:56:00.003+12:00

Want to score yourself a part-time Pop-In pack (RRP $390) for just $1??

We're super excited about the launch of our new website this week and of the new product range coming through for Close over the next few months and we'd love you to help us spread the word!

So here's how it will work...

All fans are to post the following sentence on their own wall, linking Close Parent Down Under in the sentence:

WHY DISPOSE WHEN YOU CAN POP-IN?

Good luck!

The winner will be drawn at random on May 31st, 2011.

Terms and Conditions

1. The competition is open to Australian and New Zealand residents only who are aged over 18 years.

2. The Close Parent Down Under Launch Promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.

3. Any questions or comments regarding the Close Parent Down Under Launch Promotion should be directed to info at ozbabytrends dot com dot au.

4. Prize is non-transferable to another person and is non-exchangeable for cash or other items.

5. Due to Facebook rules precluding a giveaway, we need to charge $1 to the winner of the part-time pack.

6. The winner may choose any combination of colour and types of Pop-Ins.

Introducing the Caboo

2011-05-23T23:34:00.004+12:00

"Close believe that parenting does not need to be complicated, overwhelming or pressured, and because you love your little one, all the ingredients are already in place"

Launching in Australia in June 2011, the Caboo (urban definition: to be close to someone) follows in the footsteps of the multi-award winning Close Baby Carrier.

The Caboo is identical in function to the Close Baby Carrier, with some improvements in structure and fit.

The Caboo is made from the same soft, organic cotton for which the Close Baby Carrier was Highly Commended at the Organic Expo and Green Show Awards in 2009. It is still manufactured ethically, to the highest safety and quality standards, with comfort and support creating the backdrop for all new developments.

With a weight range of 2.3 - 14.5 kg (5-32 lb) and available in a range of contemporary hues, the Caboo is an essential addition to every parent's kit.

Top 10 reasons to Caboo with your baby:

1. A carried baby is a happier, calmer baby.
2. Wearing your baby leaves your hands free for other things.
3. Baby wearing offers constant and easy access to the breast.
4. Baby wearing is a universally tested method of carrying your baby, which has been done for millenia.
5. The Caboo can easily be used by one person.
6. Baby wearing premature and newborn babies can reduce the affects of airborne diseases on these little ones.
7. Baby wearing has a soothing affect on babies as they move with their wearer and hear the rhythm of heartbeat, voice and breath.
8. Baby wearing encourages intimacy and closeless between a baby and his/her carrier.
9. Baby wearing helps to ease reflux and colic. Wearing your baby gently massages their belly which encourages digestion and bowel elimination.
10. The safest place for a baby is with YOU!

Tell us what YOU love about baby wearing!

Practical, innovative, ethical...

2011-05-03T15:50:00.001+12:00

Here at Oz Baby Trends HQ, life is a-buzz with the excitement that is generally associated with product developments and improvements, but this time, the changes are even more exciting than usual. Because these changes have been made based on months of feedback from the people who know the Pop-Ins and carrier best – parents.

The first big change is that Close Parent has re-branded to ‘Close’ which perfectly summarizes the company’s ethos and purpose. Promoting closeness between parents and their children is at the heart of the brand (I hope you’ll pardon the pun when you see the new logo) and incidentally, at the heart of what we at Oz Baby Trends believe and do.

For over two years, we have been the proud distributors of an award-winning range of practical, innovative and ethical baby-care products, and it is with great confidence and excitement that we will bring the new range of products to Australian and New Zealand families over the coming months.

Confidence because we use and love these products in our own families. Excitement because we know you’ll love them too.

Keep an eye on us over the next few weeks as we reveal the fabulous new range.

Dealing with Nappy Rash

2011-04-03T14:55:00.007+12:00

Have you ever wondered why you should use a liner on your Pop-Ins when using nappy rash cream?

Here are a couple of pictures I took of the new Close brand PLA liners. The first image is of a liner that I used when my son had no nappy rash cream on. The liner was washed after use.

Here's a picture of that same liner, after being used when he had cream on his bottom. Again, the liner has been washed. You can still see the cream clogging the fine pores of the liner.

Now imagine what that cream could do to your nappies...

Even if you don't habitually use nappy rash cream or liners, it's a good idea to have a pack of liners on hand for occasions when you might need to use cream. Some creams are so thick that they won't even come off fleece liners.

The problem with creams directly on an MCN is that the cream will never completely wash out. It coats the fabric and creates an oily barrier which causes urine to repel. This in turn causes nappies to leak.

Of course, there are certain bottom creams that are better suited to MCNs than others, so if the rash is only very light then we recommend using one of the organic or MCN-specific creams (still with a liner). However, if your baby's rash is bad enough to require a pharmacy nappy rash cream, it really is very important to use it as much as is suggested by your doctor, maternal nurse or pharcmacist, but always with a liner! Sometimes even two liners can be useful.

The added bonus of using a liner inside the nappy is that it acts as a moisture barrier, wicking urine away from baby's bottom and helping a rash to heal more quickly.

For red bottoms, we recommend lots of nappy free time, warm water at every change, Babies Only powder and Nature's Child Bottom Balm.

© Oz Baby Trends 2011

Growing Up...

2011-03-27T22:47:00.007+13:00

Aren't these just the cutest little knickers that you ever did see? And on a gorgeous little 6.5 month old butt, no less!

These Cool Fit training pants are size small and made to fit from 12 - 18 months. My little man is on the larger side of little, so they fit beautifully already, with lots of room to continue in them for some time yet.

I put him in undies after his lunchtime sleep and let him get around in them for a couple of hours. Training pants are nice and quick to wash and they give him lots of freedom to kick and roll and explore.

April Consultant Promotion - Book your party now!

2011-03-23T22:58:00.003+13:00

Please CLICK HERE to find your local consultant and to book a party!

Did You Know?

2011-03-21T11:37:00.007+13:00

For the conscientious consumer, here's some information about production of the Pop-Ins...

The factory where Pop-In production takes place is co-owned by a Close Parent director. This means that unlike many other companies producing in China, Close are able to have much control over social responsibility issues normally faced. At the end of 2006, a purpose-built factory was built in Henan province of Xuchang, as the Chinese co-owners had simply outgrown the old premises, plus the owner of the site wanted to tear down the unit for development.

In 2007 work began on a large purpose built premises to provide a high quality factory work space and a flat for family members who had been evicted from their home of many years. They moved to these premises in the summer of 2008. It is a lovely spot on the edge of town and they have a chef who provides all the workers with a cooked lunch daily in the canteen. Close Parent directors make visits twice a year. They are a very skilled and happy team and the Chinese owners are extremely fair and caring employers. Management ensure that the staff (many are family members) are remunerated fairly and they get more holidays than most employees in China. They also arrange regular company outings.

Close Parent pays a very fair price for production of the goods to ensure the working conditions and social responsibility of the factory can be upheld. Indeed price is not the primary reason for product of the nappies in Xuchang. All the fabrics used are produced there. The bamboo fabric is not produced readily in Europe and would therefore have to be imported for production which only adds to the carbon footprint of manufacturing.

Expo Season Mania

2011-03-12T17:03:00.003+13:00

It's no regular Saturday here at Close Parent Down Under HQ. The kids are all in bed, my darling husband is in the garage lacquering flat-pack shelving that my dad made and I'm ordering polo shirts and fliers, and organising stock.

Expo season is upon us.

In just a few short weeks, we'll be mid-mania at the Melbourne Baby and Toddler Show at the Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton. And it's starting to get very exciting.

We have a huge sea shipment of Close Parent goodness landing very soon, with lots of beautiful summer edition carriers, new version Dream Dri Pop-Ins and the eagerly anticipated new liners.

We'd love to meet all of the Melbourne Close Parent fans, so please stop by our stall if you can. We'll be at stand 334 from the 8th - 10th of April and look forward to offering some fabulous show specials to new parents and nappy addicts alike :)

MWWAH Carrier Review

2011-03-05T17:03:00.003+13:00

It's really not unusual to see rave reviews of the award-winning Close Baby Carrier, but this one from the team at MWWAH really stole our hearts. Jess - the main mum behind MWWAH - won a Close Baby Carrier late last year for her continued tireless efforts to help other mums achieve their dreams. We're so delighted that she loves it!

http://www.mwwah.com.au/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=95%3Aclose-baby-carrier-on-review&catid=61%3Areviews&Itemid=82

Toilet Training 101

2011-02-28T16:25:00.005+13:00

So... how did you go with your grand plans to toilet train during the summer months? Did your little one just wake up one morning and 'know'? Did it take many long weeks of soiled lounges and carpets and wet sheets? Did you use a sticker chart, ping pong ball, chocolate??

We've now toilet trained two children, with a third in the process. I know this doesn't qualify me to preach to you about toilet training, but I've been learning on this potty journey and I'd like to share with you some insights.

With our daughter, we listened to all the popular parenting experts who told us to wait till our child was ready. So we did. But at 2 years of age, our little boy arrived and I got sick of changing nappies on a rather large and extremely capable 2 year old. So despite her not being ready, we started training and she was dry during the day within 2 months.

With our boy, it was an entirely different story. I had heard from many parents that boys are a lot harder to train and so I decided to do it when I was ready. With another baby due just weeks after his 2nd birthday, I wanted our boy trained before bubs arrival. We had already been putting him on the potty at 6 months to do his daily number 2. Then at 18 months, we put the nappies away and spent the next 4 months washing a zillion pairs of mini undies and putting our 3 dozen terry squares to good use as mops! Our second child was day trained during the day a few weeks before his 2nd birthday.

Our third baby is now six months old and I have been practicing elimination communication with him since 2 weeks. Nothing dramatic or crazy... just a potty next to the change table (in front of a mirror), which I placed him over for 10 seconds at every nappy change. At first, he just stared at himself in the mirror, but within weeks he would wee or poo in the potty literally every time we placed him over the potty. By reading a lot of EC material, I began to discover my baby's 'tells' and quickly learned when he would do a poo. Today, I don't change soiled nappies. Of course, he's nowhere near 'toilet trained', but we are getting there! And it's great fun.

Toilet training is one of the most satisfying and rewarding parenting roles. After all, we are teaching them a skill for life!

OUR TIP for FAST and SUCCESSFUL TOILET TRAINING: Once you have decided to toilet train, ditch the nappies and don't look back. Switching back and forth between undies to nappies will only confuse your child more. If it helps, give your nappies one last good wash, ensure they are completely dry and pack them away, leaving only 3 or 4 out for nights and naps.

What's your best tip for fast, effective, stress-free toilet training? And what do you wish you knew then (before potty training) that you know now?

© Oz Baby Trends 2011

Training Pants Giveaway at the Darlings Downunder Blog

2011-02-01T15:46:00.004+13:00

Head on over to the useful blog of online superstore, Darlings Downunder, for your chance to score a pair of Close Parent Training Pants.

Darlings Downunder is one of our favourite Victorian retailers, with a large online presence. Sisters, Fiona and Catherine, drive significant efforts to keep MCNs in focus IRL at local markets and expos. Their blog is the equivalent of the cloth nappying diaires, with expert advice and experience from 2 mums on all aspects of changing tushies.

Good luck with the giveaway!

Charity Auction for Flood Relief Appeal

2011-02-01T12:37:00.005+13:00

The recent floods throughout Australia have been particularly devastating in Queensland. It breaks our hearts to see houses literally filled to the gutters with water, cars floating down rivers that used to be roads, and hear stories of entire families lost to this natural disaster.

Image: news.com.au

35 people have died since November 30 in floods across Australia.

20,000 homes have been inundated.

Entire streets of businesses have been swamped, leading to a temporary loss of employment for thousands of Queensland workers.

6,000 sheep lost in Victoria's floods, with 41,000 hectares of crops washed away - the livelihood of hundreds of farmers.

The statistics are sobering. Let's do what we can to help. Join us right HERE on Wednesday the 9th of February from 8pm AEDT (7pm QLD time) for a flood relief fundraiser.

If you've been wanting a Close Baby Carrier or some Pop-Ins for a while, now is the time to get in and bid hard for flood relief. There will also be some other practical and beautiful products up for grabs, so tell a friend, pour a wine and settle in next Wednesday night. Let's raise some funds for those who have lost everything!

I want to win a Teal Carrier!

2010-12-16T17:59:00.002+13:00

Please tell us
1. why you love the teal/butterflies carrier
and
2. why you want to win

Winner to be drawn Monday, 20th of December at 9 am.

PLEASE NOTE: You can choose only 1 carrier under which to make a comment, so make sure you pick your favourite of the 3!

IMPORTANT:
In the drop down box where it says name/URL, you MUST put your full name so that we know who you are to contact you. You don’t need to put a URL – just your full name. Please don’t select Anonymous as we won’t know who submitted the comment :)

I want to win a Stone Carrier!

2010-12-16T17:57:00.002+13:00

Please tell us
1. why you love the stone/flowers carrier
and
2. why you want to win

Winner to be drawn Monday, 20th of December at 9 am.

PLEASE NOTE: You can choose only 1 carrier under which to make a comment, so make sure you pick your favourite of the 3!

IMPORTANT:
In the drop down box where it says name/URL, you MUST put your full name so that we know who you are to contact you. You don’t need to put a URL – just your full name. Please don’t select Anonymous as we won’t know who submitted the comment :)

I want to win a Graphite Carrier!

2010-12-16T16:25:00.001+13:00

Please tell us
1. why you love the graphite/butterflies carrier
and
2. why you want to win

Winner to be drawn Monday, 20th of December at 9 am.

PLEASE NOTE: You can choose only 1 carrier under which to make a comment, so make sure you pick your favourite of the 3!

IMPORTANT:
In the drop down box where it says name/URL, you MUST put your full name so that we know who you are to contact you. You don’t need to put a URL – just your full name. Please don’t select Anonymous as we won’t know who submitted the comment :)

Close Baby Carrier Giveaway - Summer Collection Launch

2010-12-16T16:18:00.003+13:00

Welcome to our Christmas carrier giveaway!

With the summer 2010 limited edition Close Baby Carrier just landed in Australia, we're giving away not 1, not 2, but THREE carriers to 3 lucky parents this Christmas.

At 3 pm ADST, I will be uploading 3 images to the blog in 3 separate blog posts. All you have to do is choose which colour you like best and leave a comment underneath the image telling us 1. why you love that colour and 2. why you want to win.

There will be one winner drawn for each carrier colour on Monday 20th December at 9 am AEDT.

PLEASE NOTE: You can choose only 1 carrier under which to make a comment, so make sure you pick your favourite of the 3!

IMPORTANT:
In the drop down box where it says name/URL, you MUST put your full name so that we know who you are to contact you. You don’t need to put a URL – just your full name. Please don’t select Anonymous as we won’t know who submitted the comment :)

Good luck!

Version 3 Dream Dri on a 28 month old

2010-12-13T17:13:00.005+13:00

My oldest boy is 28 months old today. Here are some photos of him in the same award-winning Version 3 Dream Dri that my baby is wearing in the blog post below :)

Version 3 Dream Dri on a 14 week old

2010-12-07T17:11:00.007+13:00

The highly anticipated Version 3 Dream Dri is still my new favourite nappy and I'm looking forward to having enough stock on hand that I can actually pick a few extras for our stash!

Here are some photos of my 14 week old baby boy in his award-winning Version 3 Dream Dri. Will have some photos of my 27 months old in the same nappy in a few days.

Babywearing in summer

2010-11-24T17:30:00.001+13:00

The weather is finally starting to warm up here in Sydney and it’s around this time of year that we’re often asked about the practical side of babywearing in the heat.

People tend to agree that it’s fine in theory, but question if it really works. In our experience, it does work, but there are a number of tips and tricks for keeping cool and comfortable with your baby in the 100% organic cotton Close Baby Carrier.

Much the same as wool, cotton is thermo-regulating, meaning that it stays cool in summer and warm in winter. It’s also 100% breathable and offers good sun protection.

Some things to remember...

• Avoid venturing outside in the middle of the day; reserve your outings for early morning or late afternoon/evening if possible.
• Dress for the weather – you and baby! This may mean just a nappy for baby and a light cotton shirt for you.
• Don’t use the extra wrap section of the Close Baby Carrier. This will add an extra layer of fabric.
• Use an umbrella for shade, or walk in the shade where possible.
• Remember: If it’s 35 degrees outside, it’s going to be hot for your baby whether he/she is in a pram, in a carrier or in someone’s arms. Keep baby hydrated!
• Don’t forget their limbs! With little arms and legs poking out from the carrier, remember to use sunscreen or cover them with the excess fabric from the carrier.
• Keep yourself hydrated! Your baby will require a lot of small drinks throughout the day and if you're breastfeeding, you in turn will need to stay hydrated to meet the demand. Keep a close eye on your baby’s nappy to ensure he/she is wetting frequently.

© Oz Baby Trends 2010

Version 3 Dream Dri Review

2010-10-22T17:23:00.004+13:00

I’ve had the privilege, these past few weeks, of being the first Australian mum to trial the Version 3 Dream Dri Pop-In.

I’ve always loved the Version 2 Dream Dri, so my initial reaction to an updated version was fairly nonplussed. I couldn’t understand why anyone would remake a nappy that has fast become one of Australia’s leading day nappies. I was a little skeptical that this new version could really outdo the old.

The nappy has been receiving rave reviews in the UK and has scored a couple of highly coveted parenting industry awards in Europe, so it has had a lot to live up to as we submitted it to all the fervour of full-time nappying.

So what’s all the fuss about?

Testers in the UK said this nappy was faster to dry than the current Dream Dri. Seriously? Quicker than 2 hours? How much quicker do you want it to be??

They said this nappy was more absorbent. Well that would be great, but you can’t expect bamboo-type absorbency when you’re working with microfibre... can you?

They said this nappy was slimmer. Another plus, but for goodness’ sake! Let’s not compromise the unique and intelligent design that distinguishes the Pop-In from every other modern cloth nappy on the market!

The verdict

I am delighted to announce that the Version 3 Dream Dri has made the cut and now has pride of place on my extensive list of tried and tested day nappies. It is by far the most convenient day nappy in my stash of over 30 brands. And it does indeed outperform the Version 2. I would have no hesitation in recommending the Version 3 Dream Dri as the ultimate birth to potty nappy.

It dries faster than the Version 2, it is much more absorbent (not quite up there with the Original, but definitely an improvement on Version 2 absorbency), and it is alot slimmer! The unique Pop-In design has been upheld throughout the stream-lining process and unncessary bulk has been eliminated.

The outer fabric is non-pill yet still soft on baby's sensitive skin. The inner minky fabric is sooooo super soft with a top layer of fast-wicking sports jersey keeping baby dry.

I’ve been using it with my 2 year old (who is toilet trained) and my 8 week old – both boys – and have been impressed with the slim fit on my newborn, while fitting perfectly on my 2 year old also. I have not been able to test its absorbency with my toddler, as he is yet to have an accident in the nappy, which I suppose is a good thing!

This is not a night nappy on its own. For use as a night nappy, I would highly recommend you accompany the nappy with a dri-night booster.

The nappy is currently being trialled in Victoria by 6 mums, 3 of whom use MCNs and 3 of whom have never used a cloth nappy. Once the trial is complete, we will be rolling out the new version, along with the summer limited edition Close Baby Carriers.

Exciting times ahead for Close Parent in Australia.

The Expendables

2010-09-30T14:40:00.003+13:00

During last year’s recession, the number of disposable training pants sold in the hard-hit USA fell by 10%. That brought sales to just over 700 million dollars. (1) Despite the down-turn, that quite a remarkable bottom line for an industry that’s supposed to help parents stop purchasing nappies.

In Australia, the cost of disposable training pants varies from about 80 cents to $2, depending on the brand and size. With the risk that the pants may need to be changed several times a day, this makes for a very expensive convenience.

With the cost of disposable pants being so exorbitant, there is the risk that parents will leave the pants on after they’ve been wet (just like a nappy), and this of course defeats the purpose. The child may as well be in nappies because they’re cheaper, and they’re not really being potty trained because the “pants” are being treated like nappies.

For the children who wear them, the problem with disposable training pants is that they feel just like a normal single-use nappy, so the fact that they’re pull-up style with a “feel wet” top layer is just a clever marketing ploy. The trainers still look and feel just like the nappies they're supposed to replace.

Reusable trainers, on the other hand, actually look and feel very different to reusable nappies. For starters, they’re about an inch thinner! They’re waterproof but only absorbent enough to hold one accident, so parents can’t get away with leaving it on like they would a nappy. And most brands don't have a moisture barrier, which means the child can feel wetness.

Many brands of reusable training pants are manufactured by companies that also make modern cloth nappies, and so they are made ethically from natural fibres with stringent quality requirements. Close Parent is one of these companies and they have recently launched their reusable training pants in the UK, with fabulous results.

This weekend will see the launch of the trainers in Australia, at The Baby and Toddler Show in Sydney. We are confident the trainers will be well received across the nation as a high quality, economical and commonsense alternative to disposable training pants. Available in super soft soya velour (Cosy Fit) or fast-drying microfibre (Cool Fit), in 2 neutral designs and 4 sizes, there is something for every little bottom from 12 months to 4 years.

Whether your child’s preference is to potty train early or late, these trainers were designed with modern parenting in mind.

Some tips for fast, successful toilet training:
• Don’t push it if they don’t seem ready, but when they do seem ready and once you’ve made the decision to toilet train, don’t relapse! Put the nappies away for good!
• Keep your cool. Don’t get cranky when your child has their seventh accident of the day. Remember that this is a learning process and they won’t learn it overnight. It’s going to take patience and time.
• Use positive reinforcement and rewards.
• Talk about what you’re doing with them. Explain the whole process. Talk to them about how uncomfortable it feels to wear wet/dirty undies.

© Oz Baby Trends 2010

(1) http://www.newsobserver.com/2009/08/02/86918/frugal-parents-say-no-to-disposable.html

Giveaway Time

2010-09-17T11:35:00.002+12:00

It's giveaway time again at Close Parent Down Under and because it's spring, this giveaway is going to be all about organising.

Tell us how you organise any particular aspect of your home... ie, the recipe box, the toy room, wardrobe, pantry, study, filing, photos, clothes that the kids have outgrown, shopping lists... and go in the draw to win one of five Pop-In Originals.

Entries close Monday 20th September at 5pm. Please post your answers below. Winners will be guest judged on Tuesday 21st based on creativity and practicality :)

Awards and Accolades

2010-08-24T08:36:00.001+12:00

The accolades just keep coming for the Close Baby Carrier, it's most recent notch being the Bronze for Best Mother & Baby Product at the 2010 Organic Expo and Green Show Awards, judged in August.

We're delighted to add this to a 2009 Highly Commended at the Organic Expo Awards, a 2008 Silver for Best Mother & Baby Products in the UK and numerous other industry accolades, user reviews and fabulous customer feedback.

Final Round - Community Games Night

2010-08-15T22:00:00.002+12:00

Scenario...

You arrive home from a visit to the doctor’s with your 6 week old baby. You find your husband asleep on the lounge with your violently ill pet Chihuahua who has had the runs for the entire afternoon. He has the dog in a Pop-In nappy and snuggled into your brand new Close Baby Carrier.

You start to hyperventilate when you notice a strange sound coming from the laundry. There you find half your stash of white Dream Dri Pop-Ins being washed on 90 degrees with a bright pink apron and some rocks (which your helpful husband has mistaken for soap nuts…).

For a Pop-In Day Pack, tell us what happens next.

Entries close 8:30 pm, August 15.

Creative Uses for a Wetbag

2010-08-15T21:57:00.001+12:00

Wet bags are fabulous inventions, designed predominantly to store dirty nappies when out and about, this humble creation has been raised to cult status with hundreds of funky styles, brands and prints available on the market. From an environmental perspective, wet bags are a fabulous alternative to non-biodegradable plastic bags that end up in our waterways and littered across the beautiful countryside.

We’d love to hear your ideas for the hundreds of possible uses of a good wet bag.

For a chance at the Nest Nappies’ $20 gift voucher, let us know (by commenting below) your most creative and original use of a wet bag. This competition opens at 8:00 pm and finishes at 8:30 pm on August 15, 2010, as part of our Community Games Night. The winner will be judged by Elizabeth from Nest Nappies after 8:30 pm on 15-08-10. The winner will be judged on creativity and originality.

Community Games Night - PANIC Round 3

2010-08-15T21:45:00.003+12:00

For a $20 gift voucher from Eco Bambino name something that starts with the letter S from each of the following 10 categories. Remember to post your answer as a single comment below.

Categories are: Politician, Football Team, Annoying Habit of your own, Things that are cold, Flower, Sport, Beverage, Illness, Things in the Sky, Electronic Device

(please see our Facebook business page for further details)

Community Games Night - PANIC Round 2

2010-08-15T21:42:00.001+12:00

For a $20 gift voucher from Cheeky Cherubs, NZ, name something that starts with the letter T from each of the following 10 categories. Remember to post your answer as a single comment below.

Categories are: Famous Person, Brand Name, Baby Product, Annoying Habit of your Partner, Things You Shout, Things in the fridge, Vegetable, Type or brand of Cosmetic, Street Name, Holiday Destination

(please see our Facebook business page for further details)

Community Games Night - PANIC Round 1

2010-08-15T21:14:00.002+12:00

For a $20 gift voucher from Cloth My Bot, name something that starts with the letter B from each of the following 10 categories. Remember to post your answer as a single comment below.

Boys Name, Town/City, Animal, Cooking Utensil, Colour, Country, Occupation, Girls Name, Article of Clothing, Food

(please see our Facebook business page for further details)

Pre-disposing Hygiene

2010-08-13T15:18:00.002+12:00

Notice how in the world of nappying, the word “disposable” often becomes synonymous with “hygienic”? How often I hear the phrase “but the poo…” as an excuse for avoiding disposables, as though children who wear disposables don’t engage in that sort of unhygienic caper, or that their parents don’t have to deal with it.

There’s a lot of talk on parenting forums about the can’s and cannot’s of disposable nappy management. One of the leading causes for contention centres around whether you’re a “scraper” or a “non-scraper”. These discussions often degenerate into arguments over the convenience of disposables if you need to scrape the poo off anyway. Why not just use cloth, mums ask?

Regardless of your nappy preference or level of commitment to either side of the argument, there are actually some serious issues surrounding the disposal of human waste in the garbage.

Untreated human waste contains harmful bacteria so it is important that it lands where it belongs, rather than floating around in waste receptacles for days and weeks in the bathroom, kitchen and laundry; or in the local tip for the next few months.

On many disposable nappy packets and websites, the manufacturers actually advise consumers to dispose of solid waste into a toilet before wrapping the nappy into its neat little inoffensive bundle and popping into the garbage.(1)

While not technically illegal, in the sense that you could be arrested for non-compliance, some local councils do actually stipulate against the disposal of faeces in the garbage collection services they provide.

Page 34 of the City of Perth Health Act on the Use of Receptacles states that the “owner or occupier of premises shall… not deposit… in a receptacle… sewage, faeces or urine”.(2)

The website for Victoria’s Yarra Ranges Shire Council states that “nappies with solids removed” can be placed in garbage disposal.(3)

The Shire of Latrobe (also in Victoria) says that nappies can go into garbage disposal if they are “empty and wrapped”.(4)

Illegal or not, issue of contention or not; surely commonsense would suggest that flushing solids is the cleanest, most hygienic way to manage human waste – regardless of the receptacle in which it travels to the loo!

Tell us what you think. If you use disposables, do you use a flushable liner to assist in the clean-up?

© Oz Baby Trends 2010

Sources
(1)Supermarket analysis and http://www.huggies.com.au/nappies/huggies-nappies/nappy-change/changing-your-newborn
(2)http://www.perth.wa.gov.au/documentdb/678
(3)http://www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Residents/Waste__Recycling/Weekly_Garbage_Collection
(4)http://www.latrobe.vic.gov.au/WebFiles/Council%20Services/Recycling%20and%20Waste/Area%20A.pdf

World Breastfeeding Week 2010

2010-08-04T10:38:00.002+12:00

The Close Baby Carrier was developed by contiuum concept (aka attachment parenting) advocate and mother, Claire Scott. Discovering a niche in the market for a carrier that was more than just a rucksack to get baby from A to B, Claire developed a user-friendly, soft, organic and supremely comfortable baby carrier that could be used literally all day, if that is the user's desire.

The Close Baby Carrier can be used from birth to approximately 15 kgs and is excellent for facilitating breastfeeding in the first days and weeks when feeding can be complicated, difficult and slow.

Having your baby wrapped snuggly in the Close Baby Carrier, feeding as you move about your day, is one of the best ways to return to 'normal' after the birth of a baby and has proven to assist longevity of breastfeeding, as it ceases to be seen as a tedious and boring procedure, but rather a special and routine activity that you and baby can enjoy together - either as you get on with other aspects of life, or sitting relaxed on the couch.

The Close Baby Carrier gives mothers that CHOICE.

It has also been suggested that carrying your baby in a sling helps to develop steady milk supply for new mothers.

This World Breastfeeding Week, our stockists and consultants have the Close Baby Carrier available at 20% off! So make sure you set aside half an hour of your week to get in store or call your local rep for a demo!

They are well trained in the use of the Close Baby Carrier and can provide you with vital help for making the carrier work for you in those first weeks.

Please click here for your local stockist or here for your nearest consultant.

And head over to our Facebook page to discuss all things Mummy's Milk this week!

Challenge: Rubbish-Free for a Day

2010-07-25T21:23:00.004+12:00

The words greenie, hippy and tree-hugger aren't usually used in the most flattering of contexts, and most of us probably wouldn't consider using cloth nappies as a particularly hippy thing to do. Not nowadays anyway. Not with the high-tech innovations of the past decade. It's really become quite posh.

Using cloth nappies has evolved dramatically since the '50s. From flat terry squares that were the only form of nappy, to the 80s when disposables were available but only the "greenies" and those who couldn't afford disposables used them... to now. Now, the use of reusable nappies is edging upwards with estimates that approximately 10% of parents use cloth at least part-time. And it's becoming a serious trend.

The reasons for using cloth nappies are plentiful and while environmental reasons are often on the checklist of conscientious new parents, they are not always the only reason for using cloth.

But let's assume for just a moment that environmental priorities are our only reason for choosing reusable nappies. And let's assume that everything (yes, everything) has at least one more useful purpose.

Now let's do it!

For just one day - let's make it any day this week that suits - let's not throw anything in the bin.

Not a nappy, or a tin can, or toilet roll.

Let's find that one more useful purpose for everything we use.

Head on over to our Facebook page and let us know how you got on. What did you do with all that 'stuff' that you ordinarily would have thrown out? Was there something you actually really did have to throw in the garbage disposal? Or was it all reusable, recyclable, re-homeable or worm-farm-worthy?

MESPACE Challenge

2010-07-14T10:59:00.003+12:00

Thanks to the creative imagination of Pop-In fan, Francesca, we're running a competition to create a "treat myself corner". The idea is to find a nook in your home or garden where you can settle yourself for a few minutes each day with all your favourite things... books, beading, chocolate, manicure set - whatever makes you feel spoilt - and have some time to recharge.

To enter, simply create your MESPACE and send a photo to info@ozbabytrends.com.au We'll upload all of the photos onto our facebook fan page so that everyone can see the amazing little corners that have been created.

And our good friend Tanya from Love Bytes will judge the winner for a winter limited edition Close Baby Carrier.

Winner to be drawn Monday 19th of July, so get creating!

Free and Dri Mat Review

2010-07-13T14:33:00.002+12:00

We just LOVE the Free and Dri Mat, so it's no surprise that New Zealand's Coffee Group also loves this fabulous little invention!

The Free and Dri Mat was last year nominated for the highly prestigious Babies and Children Innovation Award at the Cologne Trade Show and has won praise the world over for its unique design, high quality and practicality.

It's definitely our favourite accessory and one no parent should have to live without. It facilitates clean and easy nappy free time which is beneficial for baby and can reduce the number of nappies you need to wash. A highly recommended addition to every baby's change routine.

Please Click Here to see the Coffee Group's review of the Free and Dri Mat.

Headquarter Mayhem

2010-07-02T16:39:00.000+12:00

It's been exceptionally busy at the Close Parent Down Under headquarters this week. With 6 pallets of stock arriving yesterday and a current consultant promotion to please even the tightest of budgets, we've been quite run off our feet... counting stock, checking invoices and packing orders. The kids have been helping me unpack and count nappies (a little difficult when your nearly 2 year old can count to 10, but misses the 7...) and have been having a fabulous time playing in boxes. Hope you enjoy our brief but busy update!

Stock
We are now fully stocked again on ALL Close Parent nappies and accessories. The only thing we're still a little short on are the limited edition carriers, but that's only because they keep selling out before we can get more stock in! We will have full stock levels again for the carriers in a couple of weeks.

Facebook Warehouse Sale
Through all the craziness, we've found a number of unpackaged discontinued carriers that we need to clear immediately, so we'll be having a Facebook Warehouse Sale (for carriers only) this coming Monday evening (5th of July) from 7 pm. You'll need to "like" us on the Facebook page in order to make purchases. Hope to see you all there! :)

Promo...
The Consultant promotion is nothing short of HUGE! And it's pretty simple too. Just order any 2 Pop-In nappies from your local consultant and receive a 3rd Pop-In ABSOLUTELY FREE! That's $36 of value FREE plus consultant services are FREE so you don't need to pay for postage! Find your local consultant now. The promotion ends July 7.

Fundraiser
Don't forget to head over to a very special SIDS fundraiser auction and see if there isn't something among the 200+ wonderful product donations that you could be tempted to bid on. While you're there, click on the Info tab to find out what it's all about. The most heart-wrenching story that every parent hopes will never unfold for them...

We've donated a Pop-In Day Pack, so perhaps you might be able to score yourself some more nappies that won't need an ounce of justification :) Please give generously for such a worthwhile cause.

Wangaratta
If you're near Wang on Saturday, July 17, make sure you pop in to the Children's Market to chat with our consultant, Annelisa. She'll be there with the Pop-In and Close Baby Carrier for you to play with and try on. The Children's Market is hosted by the Wangaratta Community Toy Library and will be held in Greta Road Hall (Old Tec School Hall) on Greta Road from 9 am till noon. Entry is a gold coin donation.

Narrabeen
And if you're a Sydney dweller, check out my post below for details of next weekend's Eco Market for our retailer, Mr Vitamins. Should be a fabulous afternoon out!

Coming up
I hope many of you can join us on the Facebook page next week for our Re-homing Challenge...

Eco Market Day in Sydney

2010-06-29T16:37:00.000+12:00

Join us at the Mr Vitamins Eco Market Day to shop a wide selection of goods for health, healing and eco friendly living.

We'll be there with the Pop-Ins and Close Baby Carrier, so stop by and say hello, try on a carrier and play with one of Australia's leading MCN brands!

Sunday, July 11 from 1 pm - 5 pm at the Ted Blackwood Community Centre, corner of Jackson and Boondah Roads, Warriewood.

Hope to see you there!

Stillbirth Fundraiser - Charity Auction

2010-06-21T18:27:00.001+12:00

Oz Baby Trends proudly donated a fabulous Pop-In Day Pack to a very worthy cause this past weekend.

The Babies Born Sleeping Stillbirth Fundraiser charity auction raised nearly $5000 for research into stillbirth prevention. A champion effort!

Every day in Australia, 6 babies are delivered stillborn and in over half of these cases, there is no known reason why. So parents are left to grieve a lost child with, more often than not, no closure to explain it or help ease their loss.

To make a cash donation for research into stillbirth, please visit the Stillbirth Foundation's website.

A Consultant for the Macedon Ranges

2010-06-08T12:38:00.000+12:00

We are pleased to welcome on board the consultancy team, Rachael Mckay, who will service the Macedon Ranges region in Victoria.

For further information and contact details, please visit the Consultants page on our website.

Pakenham Sustainabilty Expo - June 11 - 12

2010-06-01T19:50:00.000+12:00

Join our consultant, Rachel, at the Pakenham Sustainability Expo - Friday 11 and Saturday 12 June, from 10 am to 4 pm on each of those days.

The Expo features everything that's new in the world of sustainable living, health and home. So head over the Cardinia Cultural Centre in Lakeside Drive, Pakenham for you one-on-one demonstration of the ever-sustainable modern cloth Pop-In nappies and the 100% organic cotton Close Baby Carrier.

Nappy Hunt Sponsor Awards - March 2010

2010-05-27T16:36:00.000+12:00

We're so excited to have won the Best Customer Service Award from voters of the latest sponsor survey for the March 2010 Cloth Nappy Hunt!

Thank-you to everyone who gave us the opportunity to put our customer service into practice during the month and to those who voted for us.

The Nappy Hunt is something we look forward to with great anticipation and excitement and while it's alot of hard work, it's also so much fun! We look forward to sponsoring again in September.

Please click here for more information about the Cloth Nappy Hunt.

Gold Coast Markets

2010-05-26T17:15:00.000+12:00

If you're at the GOLD COAST this weekend, stop in to see our Consultant, Nerissa, for some fabulous Pop-In deals at the upcoming Zero 2 Five Market.

When: Sunday, 30th of May
Time: 9 am till 12 noon

Where: Upper Coomera State College, Gate 1 Reserve Road. Take the Dreamworld Exit off the Motorway and it is next to The Lost City.

Pop in for some friendly advice, personalised demonstrations and fabulous deals!

Carrier competition winner

2010-05-24T17:48:00.000+12:00

Congratulations to Liz Kelso, winner of our Close Baby Carrier competition!

Guest Judge, Elizabeth of Nest Nappies picked Liz's photo of her boys in their Pop-Ins. And here's why...

"Wow it was so hard to pick a winner! All your photos and babies are simply divine. I went through two cups of tea, half a block of chocolate and the entire Annie DVD trying to pick one winner...

LIZ KELSO - I hope you and Zac love your new Close Parent Carrier as much as we love ours!

I particularly like the photo of Zac and Harry showing how versatile the Pop-Ins are from birth to toilet training and how siblings can at some point be within breathing distance without killing each other!!"

Thanks for being our Guest Judge, Elizabeth. And thanks to everyone who shared photos of their gorgeous babes! It was such a delight to see our page filled with lovely pictures of your little angels.

Coming Soon!

2010-05-17T11:56:00.000+12:00

We're very excited to announce that winter limited edition Close Baby Carriers are nearly here! Sign up for the newsletter to find out who will be stocking them!

ACT Baby and Kids Market - May 22

2010-05-13T20:44:00.000+12:00

If you're in the ACT, stop in to see our consultant, Marianne, for some fabulous Pop-In and Close Baby Carrier deals at the next Baby and Kids Market, Saturday 22nd of May from 9 am till noon.

Where: Fitzroy Pavillion, Exhibition Park (EPIC), Flemington Road, MITCHELL.

For more information, please visit the Baby and Kids Market website or if you can't make it on the day, why not call Marianne to arrange a convenient time to see the products in the comfort of your own home?

Welcoming our Gold Coast Consultant

2010-05-13T20:36:00.000+12:00

Welcome on board to our newest Consultant! Nerissa will service the Gold Coast and brings a wealth of cloth nappying knowledge and baby-wearing know-how to the team.

Contact Nerissa today to arrange a one-on-one demonstration or nappy party and to take advantage of some fabulous Consultant-exclusive promotions.

0404 316 691 or nerissa@ozbabytrends.com.au

Forget hours trawling the internet, wading through a mass of jargon and glossy images. There's nothing quite like seeing a product first-hand and talking to an experienced user who knows all the tips and tricks for making cloth nappying easy.

Cotton Bottom at the PBC Expo in Sydney

2010-05-01T20:25:00.000+12:00

If you happen to be in Sydney tomorrow, make sure you drop in at the Pregnancy, Baby and Children's Expo at Rosehill Gardens.

There, close to the main entrance of Hall B, you'll find Cotton Bottom - Kew, Victoria's very own stockist of the Pop-Ins and Close Baby Carrier. Be sure to ask Nick, Jess and the fabulous team all about Close Parent's award-winning nappy! They know nappies like the back of their hand.

Featured Product - Free and Dri Mat

2010-04-30T11:29:00.000+12:00

There are a plethora of balms, creams, ointments and cures for nappy rash on the market today and most mums and dads go into parenthood thinking that nappy rash is a given. That it will just happen and there's not much that can be done about it except apply some more cream.

When babies develop a rash (for any number of reasons, from sitting in a solied nappy for too long, teething or illness, reaction to a nappy or product or just sensitive skin), most parents decide the best course of action is to change frequently and apply cream at every change.

We have a different theory - NAPPY FREE TIME! We think the best cure for a developing rash is fresh air.

Certainly advanced rash requires medical treatment, but for the early stages of rash and reddening skin, the best thing is to keep the nappy off and put your baby down for some NFT.

If you're scared to do this because bub might mess all over the floor, then grab a Free and Dri Mat by Close Parent.

This super soft and absorbent mat is made from fast-drying microfibre with a beautifully soft waterproof section that pops over baby so that he can enjoy nappy free time without any little surprises for you. Genius!

Check out our Stockist and Consultant pages to find your local rep!

Welcome

2010-04-30T10:33:00.000+12:00

Welcome to the blog of Close Parent Down Under!

We bring the award-winning Close Parent brand to Australia and New Zealand and this blog is all about sharing ideas and advice for using the products, living life and loving your baby.

Enjoy :)