What is warm, soft, all natural, breathable, non-toxic, and cozy for children to sleep in? If you thought wool, then you sure guessed right. At Active Baby we have found a great new line of Merino Wool baby infant gowns, sleepers and two-piece sets that are silky soft and adorable. Simply Merino is a brand that specializes in clothing for kids made from 100% Merino Wool. The wool is both obtained and manufactured in New Zealand.

Choosing sleepwear is always a challenging experience for parents. We all know that when it comes to regulating body temperature, babies are not very good at this at all. They often kick off their blankets when they are too hot at night and cry when they are too cold. The Simply Merino clothing is easily the solution to your problems. Merino clothing is known as a completely natural, biodegradable, recyclable, anti-microbial, and nonflammable product. It regulates the baby’s body temperature by keeping warm when it is cool and keeping them cool when it is warm. The merino wool has all of these features, while  unbelievably soft on even the most sensitive baby skin.

Simply Merino products are stretchy and are a perfect option for a diaper-wearing baby. The clothing is machine washable, so you do not need to be worried about it loosening or shrinking. All you have to do is throw them in the wash, take them out and they will stay extremely soft and cuddly. However, we recommend that you hang-dry them to ensure these amazing wool pieces last as long as possible.

Features:

• Naturally fire resistant
• Natural fabric, helping to control body temperature
• Wicks moisture, keeping your little one dry
• Environmentally friendly
• Odour & stain resistant
• Machine washable

The sleepers available in our store are two-piece sets ranging in size from 6 months to 4 toddler. They do not only have to be used as pajamas, but can also be worn as shirts and leggings or even as long underwear in the wintertime. At Active Baby, our stock is not limited to just the sleepers. We also carry the Merino Wool hats, infant gowns and blankets.

This November, we will be giving away two sets of Simply Merino 2-piece-underlayers for two lucky winners. One winner will receive a  set for a boy and the other winner will receive a set for a girl. The winners will decide on the colour and the size of the prize.

Shop All Simply Merino Wool Products 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The contest will run for one week and we will close the entry on November 18. Open to Canadians only.

This month, we will be announcing two lucky winners for the October giveaway! One person will win 2 sets of Applecheeks washable diapers with inserts, the other an Applecheeks swim diaper. You may choose from an assortment of colours.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with apple cheeks, they are cloth diapers designed and manufactured in Montreal, Canada. They are extremely comfortable, form fitting and loved by both babies and parents. Between the two sizes, these diapers can be used by babies from 7lbs-40lbs. Also, the diapers are can be customized to fit your needs by using bamboo inserts, liners and boosters. If you were considering washable diapers, but were not sure if they were right for you and your family, this could be your chance at a  ”free trial”.

Enter the draw for your chance to experience apple cheeks or add them to an existing collection.

Features:

• Fits 7lbs-40lbs
• Waterproof
• Snug & Durable elastic
• Microfleece inner layer
• Many colours to choose from

Shop Applecheeks products

Here is our give-away this July – The Little life Compact Beach shelter is a lightweight and easy to assemble shelter. Perfect for the beach, the local park or even just your back yard.

Retail value: $89.99

The high quality durable fabric with an SPF of 50+ shelters your child from the sun, perfect to hang out in while you have lunch or to spread out in and have a
nap. Just face the open side away from the sun and don’t forget to apply sunscreen to keep your little ones extra safe.

The semi-geodesic design and the added pockets to fill with sand or pegs to use on a grassy area ensures the shelter will stay firmly on the ground.It also comes with its own storage bag, making it a breeze to take with you on the go.

Features

• Sand pockets/pegs help prevent the shelter from blowing away.
• All fabrics used within the shelter achieved a UPF rating of 50+ when tested.
• Packs down into a compact carry case with shoulder strap.
• High quality, shock-corded fibreglass poles.
• Lightweight and durable fabrics.
• To view more details about this product or order it online, please click here.

href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/2452211/" rel="nofollow">a
Rafflecopter giveaway

Contest will close on July 21st, 2012.

Opens to Canadians only.

* Claiming the Prize

We will announce the name of the winner on our Facebook page. To claim the prize the winner can either send us an email at service@activebaby.ca or give us a call at 604-986-8977.

If in-store pickup is not an option for the winner, we will ship the prize and the winner will be responsible for shipping costs.

So summer is coming. I think! I’ve been promised it is but Mother Nature sometimes isn’t so co-operative on the subject these days.
That said with the promise of warmer weather and summer vacations I thought it a great idea to run over a few products that would be great for making life on the road easier with children. I also asked via our facebook page for some of your ideas too.

Backpacks and luggage case

So lets start with the suitcases. Have you seen the cute little ladybug and turtle cases from Little Life Wheelie Duffle Bag. They have a great 20l capacity, telescopic handle and are perfect for your little one to pull behind them. They are hardwearing and easy to clean. They would also be great for a sleep over at Grandma’s house too!

Little life also have a few smaller animal backpacks, perfect for a snack and a toy or 2. It also has a little safety strap that you can use while in a crowded area. You hold one end while the other is linked to the back pack, allowing you to keep your child within arms reach at all times.

Travel Accessories

So almost ready to leave, car packed and your children are sitting comfortably in their carseats. They will need a few distraction
along the way I’m sure. The Snack & Play Travel Tray will be a life saver. One Facebook fan can’t wait to use her’s as her friend never leaves home with out one. Great for a stroller too, this sturdy and yet collapsible tray is perfect for a snack on the move or toys and colouring books. The raised edges stop cars and the dreaded crayons from rolling onto the floor. A couple of easy reach pockets on the side also means you can store toys, books and even a drink.

Travel Beds

So now you’ve reached your destination and where is your baby going to sleep? Didn’t have room for the giant pack-and-play. How does the Kidco Peapod Travel Bed sound.
This little pop up tent is very portable, and very easy to set up. With its wind screen and UV protection it can be taken from the hotel to the beach so nap time isn’t missed.

Travel Gear

What’s on your adgenda while on vacation?
Hiking? The backpack carriers from Deuter and Kelty mean both you and your child will be hiking and siteseeing in comfort.
Biking? We carry the Baby Jogger City Pod and the much loved Chariot bike trailers, not forgetting to mention the great bike seats from BoBike. Giro make some great helmets in fantastic colours, makes safety stylish too!
Or just relaxing by the pool or lake? Grabbing a Salus Marine life jacket is a must near the water. Using one doesn’t mean you don’t have to pay full attention, but it will give you a little extra comfort knowing the one piece front design will ensure that your baby will flip face up if they should end up in the water.

Meal Time

Meal times on the road can always be challenging, using a restaurant highchair may leave you feeling ickky so why not use a portable option. Phil & Ted have a great Lobster style chair that clips on to just about any table and with its 5-point harness your 6mth to 3yr old will dine in style.

Or maybe the My Little Seat, fabric option which secures to the dining chair will be more ideal for you. It folds to the size of a diaper and tucks into its only little carry pouch. It also has a great 5-point harness and reinforced seams making it very safe too. Spot clean on the go or toss in to the washing machine when home to keep the contempory designs looking great.

Camping Gear

Those out camping where tables and chairs might be harder to find don’t panic Kidco created the Go-Pod. A portable activity seat/table. Clip some toys onto the surface for entertaining. Or use the drink and snack holders to make meal times easy. Folds up small and with several seat heights it can be used from aprox. 4mths.

If your camping and have an older child don’t forget to pack the North Face’s sleeping bag or the Deuter Little Star sleeping bag. Lots of you tried to win one via our Facebook page so you already know how amazing they are!

The list goes on, I feel I could mention everything in the store that would be great for taking on a trip or using at the local park or beach. For more great products stop by the store or check out our website at www.activebaby.ca. Our staff will be more than happy to guide you to the products mentioned and to the many others I haven’t.
Have a great summer everyone.

Written by: Sarah Green

Even though we know that comparisons can be so damaging, It can be all too easy as moms of young children to gradually fall into the trap of doing it anyway….. Sound familiar?

With the innocent aim of finding out what is right for our new families, it can become so easy to start comparing our parenting style, or the development of our children to others we meet in our community, or even to information we find on the internet.

When they should sleep through the night, What they should know at their age, When they should be able to count to 10… 20… When they should be able to spell their own name.

It is important to remember that each child develops at their own pace. Childhood shouldn’t be a race or a competition.

As a loving parent it is only natural to want our children to succeed, but after asking a couple of thought provoking questions to a handful of moms in my own community, here are the comforting responses:

“What should our young children know by the time they go to pre- school?”

Know that they are loved no matter what. Just think of the stability you are giving to your child when they know that they are free to have a wide range of emotions, and that even though you may not approve of certain behaviors, that you will always love them.

Know that they are safe and cared for.Know how to laugh, act silly, and use their imagination. Children should be free to imagine cars that fly and travel underwater, or teleporting themselves to different planets. The adults who still use their imaginations are often those creating the future.

Know that they are unique and special.

Know that what they love to do is important, and be encouraged to follow their interests.

Know that it’s OK to ask questions.

Know that it is OK to make mistakes. Some children are frightened to try new things because they don’t want to get it wrong. Help them try things that they find a bit tricky so that they can gain self confidence and start to learn how to problem solve.

Know that it is not a waste of time to be “just playing around” Let them immerse themselves in trying to tape three toilet roll tubes together, spend hours in fantasy play, or playing in the mud. The rapidly declining free time that is available to our children to just “be”, may just be their greatest teacher.

Why not make your own list of what you feel is important for your child to “Know” and make time this summer to focus on a few.

Discover new ways to engage your own child’s unique interests and natural curiosities without comparison and have fun just being a kid again.

Written by Stef Green (www.stefstation.com)

Our children are learning every moment of the day, and they learn in many different ways, but a lot of it depends on what we are sharing with them.

All too often as busy parents we can rush through our tasks trying to get them done so that we can spend quality time with our kiddies. However, if we slowed down just a little, we may see many smaller quality moments within our day that we can share with our children giving them a variety of experiences, and maybe even a greater awareness of the world around them.

Young children can learn colors, counting or recognition of fruits and vegetables at the grocery store, matching socks in size and color while you are sorting laundry, sorting smallest to largest while you are putting shoes away, and many more things as you go about your daily activities. And when you go outside there are so many more things to see and experience.

Of course, when you do get to play… our kiddies are having fun and still learning!

I can only speak from my experience so far with active boys who always preferred to be outside, climbing, jumping, and running when they were toddlers, so we played a lot of active games, but the simplest ones always seemed to be loved the best.

Many special moments can be spent together when it is kept simple.

Shape Jumping

You don’t have to be an artist to enjoy this game together. Start by drawing something easy like a square, on the floor with chalk, and then draw a triangle or heart close enough for your kiddies to jump to, then have fun drawing all the other shapes that your little one suggests, just far enough away from each other so that they can jump to them.

Encourage your children to shout out the shape as they land on them.

Shape spotting - It’s quite amazing at how much of the world passes us by until we intentionally look at it. Circles on the doctors office ceiling, squares on the ground, triangles where you least expect them…. Children love finding things and this game can be played anywhere.

Make music outside - There are many wonderful sounds that can be made outside: banging logs with sticks, scrunching leaves, tapping rocks with pebbles. Enjoy the moment and make your own music together.

Lets re-think our daily activities and enjoy these special moments we can share with these young minds. They are all so precious.

We’d love to hear your marvelous Mommy moments…. what household task do you transform into a learning game with your toddler?

Contest will close on June 22nd. Winner of the contest will be announced on our Facebook page wall on June 23rd. Contest entry form is available both on our website and Facebook. Good Luck everyone!

Introducing the NEW CRUZ

Tyler, Jake, Sydney and Denny are coming. No its not a new band making their way to sing the latest pop or rock song.  They are the names of the new Uppababy CRUZ stroller.
Tyler is a soft icy blue, Jake is the strong black. Sydney is a warm yellow and Denny is a vibrant red.. The show stopper!

Uppababy have created a slimline stroller without sacrificing the design. Narrow doorways are no match for the easy maneuvering compact design. The telescoping handle bar means everyone will find their perfect pushing height.

They are car-seat compatible and with a 50lb weight limit, large adjustable canopy with extendible SPF 50+ sunshade to accommodate taller children it will last you through the toddler years.

They have a full sized seat that can face you for eye contact or be reversed to face the world. It’s one handed multi position recline means you can go from nap time to upright in seconds too.

There are lots of extras that can be added to make this already pretty cool stroller even better. From the cup holder for your java to the Snug Seat infant insert or my favourite named footmuff the BabyGanoosh.

Features

• Full-size reversible seat
• One-handed 180° recline
• Easy one-step fold with or without the seat attached
• Telescoping handlebar
• Two canopy positions to accommodate taller children
• Large canopy with extended spf 50 sunshade
• Infant car seat compatible
• Compatible from birth with infant snugseat accessory
• Compact at approx. 21″ wide – allows for easy
• maneuvering through doorways
• Stroller weight 22lbs
• Suitable to 50 lbs

Is your infant/toddler old enough to bike ride? If so this is a great time to win a Giro infant helmet from us. This month, we’ll give away 2 Giro ME2 infant helmets – one for a boy, and one for a girl. Retail value $39.99 each.

About Giro ME2 Infant Helmet

The Giro ME2 bike helmet features a light weight micro shell with a built-in visor, offering exellent protection and comfort for little passsengers. It meets all ANSI standards, fits head size 18.75 to 20.5 inches (48-52cm).

In addition, its adjustable mini-loc fit system has strap guides and they  buckle under the skin with a snug fit that won’t pinch skin. It has six vents with built-in bug netting that allow cool, fresh air to circulate over and around the child’s head.

The Giro ME2 bike helmet shell comes in multiple colors and styles, with fun graphic designs and parent-friendly features. It’s very easy to use protection that gets your little ones into helmets early and also a perfect start to a life long bond with helmets.

Let your youngest riders feel comfortable, safe and look great, while going for a fun ride, with Giro ME2 helmet.

Click the image to learn more about this product!

About Giro

Giro, based in Scotts Valley, CA, is a worldwide leader in high-performance protective gear and accessories for action sports and active lifestyles. Their mission is to create products on the leading edge of inspired design that look, fit and feel like a part of you, and allow you to be at your best.

How to enter to win:

1) Like us on our Facebook!

2) Recommend us to your friends on Facebook! Any recommendation from you is an entry in the draw. If your friend clicks and ‘Likes’ us on Facebook, they will also be entered to the draw;

3) Leave a comment on our Facebook wall telling us what your favorite spring activities with your children are and if you want the girl or boy design.
We’ll draw a winner from those who have shared and commented.

Contest will close on May 31st, 2012.

Opens to Canadians only.

* Claiming the Prize

We will announce the name of the winner on our Facebook page. To claim the prize the winner can either send us an email at service@activebaby.ca or give us a call at 604-986-8977.

If in-store pickup is not an option for the winner, we will ship the prize and the winner will be responsible for shipping costs.

Before the formal arrival of the Foonf car seat to Active Baby, we would like to give you some more details on this magnificent convertible car seat if you weren’t lucky enough to see it’s prototype in person. Foonf is the new convertible car seat that is coming this summer from the people of Clek. It’s no doubt that Foonf car seats are going to be the most expensive convertible car seats in the market, with it’s over $400 price tag. But it’s also one of the most anticipated car seats that people are willing to wait months just to get one, and they think it will be worth the wait and every penny too.

So what has made Foonf unique? You may have seen the WTF letters about, you maybe thinking why am I swearing, but this WTF stands for What The Foonf! What is the Foonf  I hear you ask, well I’m going to do my best to tell you.

It’s convenint!

On average 80% of North American carseats are installed incorrectly this convertible carseat comes with the same latch system as their booster seats
while forward facing but also for rear-facing installation, it uses latch connectors and a snap-in anti-rebound bar.
So easy to install, line up and push in place, here the click and its done..child’s play!

It’s is all about SAEFTY!

It includes their REACT-Rapid Energy Absorbing Crumple Technology safety system. It reduces the forces transmitted to your forward facing child by 40% if they were to be in a collision. Clek says “In a collision, the vehicle comes to an abrupt stop, but the child continues to move at the same speed. The less time that it takes for the child to come to a complete stop, the higher the forces exerted on the child. The REACT Safety System allows that sudden change in momentum to happen over a longer period of time through a series of controlled events. Foonf  is designed to ride down the collision crumpling the aluminum honeycomb and absorbing energy from the collision resulting in less force transferred to the child.”  Similar to that of a car’s crumple zone.

Another beauty of the seat is that the Foonf is designed to be the next step after your infant car seat, with the recommendations for use starting at six months. Unlike most of the convertible car seats that start from 5 lbs in rear-facing mode. Foonf requests 15lbs/6 months to be the bottom line. By doing this, it trades off the whole 0-6 month market with the seat’s higher safety feature. We get the message from the people of Clek that they care about the safety of our children.

• Rear-facing for kids: weighing 15-45 pounds, 25-43 inches in height;
• Forward-facing for kids weighing 20-65 pounds, 25-49 inches in height.

Other great features include the Crypton® Super Fabric, it has a permanent protection to stains, moisture and bacteria. A must to keep the bright colours and Paul Frank inspired seats snack stain free. And no more numb-bums thanks to the additional layers of thick foam.

The Foonf is also narrow at the base at under 17” wide with a base of 13” it makes seating 3 in the back of  car very doable too. Perfect for a growing family or when a friend from school comes for a playdate.

Do not wait. Pre-order yours NOW!

The Foonf car seat will be available at Active Baby, North Vancouver soon. We can’t contain our excitement on this. We promise that we will bring in all of Foonf’s colour and pattern options, we cannot resist those bright colours and fashionable Paul Frank patterns either.

Foonf’s release date is still unclear but they have promised it will be here in Vancouver baby stores for the summer, in the middle of August, and the good thing is very first shipment of foonf is made in Canada, and the quantity is also limited. So the count down is on, if you decide that you are going to invest a little bit more for all those addtional features, then don’t wait, pre-order your Foonf car seat now!

Getting outside with our young children can either be a big excursion, or simply sitting on a blanket on the grass. Just being outside in the fresh air and nature, is exciting for our kiddies, and also quite relaxing for us too.

Sit together for a hug in the sunshine, these special moments of stillness can be captured and lengthened by stopping for a brief moment to snuggle up close and listen together to name the different sounds that you hear…. a dog barking, doors closing, someone busily cutting their grass, people talking.

In this moment of sharing closeness and

affection we are also modeling stillness and awareness, an exceptional quality that is

sadly becoming less evident, as well as helping our children recognize and get familiarwith the different noises in their world.

A magnificent form of affection

Hugging is a magnificent form of affection for us all, but this is especially true for a child.

There are studies that show hugs have very powerful effects that can positively transform the physical and emotional well-being of all involved.

Hugging says: “I am here for you,” “I am proud of you,” “Allow me to comfort you,” “I love you,” and much more.

The closeness that happens when we snuggle up to read a story together with our children, is one of the most fantastic bonding moments between little ones and their parents, grandparents or other special people in their lives.

Spending quality time with our children is so important to them and us, lye together on a blanket and and watch the flies and birds in the yard, look at the plants and bugs that are down at their level just off the blanket, sit together and make up new stories or just throw a blanket over 2 chairs and go inside your new den to have a snack with your children and a few teddy bears.

Life goes quickly….. grab the moment and immerse yourself within in it …..a new moment is just around the corner with new lessons for us all.

Written by: Stef Green