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I've found backpack child carriers to be a godsend for keeping active with a little one in tow.
My wife and I have hiked in Sweden, trotted along in local orienteering races, walked unencumbered with the dog on a leash through our neighborhood and even shoveled snow with a content baby in carriers we've tested.
The Piggyback, a $165 carrier made by REI ( www.rei.com), is the most full-featured model. It is a comfortable design for both baby and parent, and it includes everything from an integrated hydration sleeve to moisture-wicking padded shoulder straps.
A contoured back panel matched with the cushy shoulder straps make the Piggyback a comfortable carry. Its harness system is similar to those found on beefy backpacking-oriented packs. The child's seat and harness can be adjusted for size to fit little babies on up to toddlers.
When empty, the Piggyback weighs about 7 pounds, which is a burden. Add a 20-pound baby and the load can feel substantial. But the pack distributes the weight well, and with all its adjustments, pockets and features, the Piggyback also alleviates some of the hassle of taking a child on a gear-intensive adventure such as a backpacking trip.
For example, REI includes a small mirror tethered to a string for peeking up at baby without having to remove the pack. There's a fold-out kickstand for stabilizing the pack on the ground, and the carrier has a zip-off daypack with an insulated baby bottle pocket.
On the other extreme, the Tour, a $100 carrier model made by Kelty ( www.kelty.com), has few bells and whistles. Kelty calls the Tour one of the lightest frame-equipped child carriers on the market, though it still weighs 4 pounds 9 ounces when empty, which would be considered heavy in backpacking circles.
But the Tour's design, with fewer pockets, zippers and straps than the Piggyback, was appealing. I preferred the simplicity of the Kelty, especially for day hikes and short walks.
Like the REI model, the Tour carries well, and it has padded shoulder straps and a waist belt. A mesh back panel provides good airflow and ventilation. A kickstand lets you set the pack upright on the ground with baby sitting inside.
For long treks with baby, the REI Piggyback is the best option. For day hikes, I'd recommend the Kelty Tour for its simplicity.
Source: http://www.spokesmanreview.com/sports/story.asp?ID=126739
Moms Helping Moms Gives Birth to a Business - Work-at-home mom helps support other moms by selling their products on her website Mom4Life.com.
Loma Linda
March 14, 2006
Heather Ledeboer is first, a mom, and second, an online entrepreneur who was inspired to start her online business by a desire to be a stay-at-home mom while earning a steady income. When Ledeboer’s business began in 2003, she soon realized that it would be the collaborative creativity of moms that would provide her business with a unique selling point. Mom 4 Life, Ledeboer’s home-grown business, serves to support not only her family but also a growing number of moms across the country. Ledeboer estimates that about 80 percent of the products offered on her site are either mom-invented or made by stay-at-home moms.
"My customers are moms helping moms," she said. "Each purchase has the potential to help at least three moms. First, it allows me to be a stay at home mom to my two children, next, it provides the same support to the mom who invented or crafted the product sold on my site and third it supports moms through the local Crisis Pregnancy Center through a 10% donation of profits. I love the trickle effect that is created and the way that we can all help each other thorough something as simple as shopping.”
Ledeboer has made a careful search to find a wide variety of interesting, unique and useful products to offer on her site that cannot be found at the local mall. In the last two years, her inventory as grown to over 150 of these products. Moms can find items such as Hooter Hiders; chic nursing covers to breastfeed discreetly in public and The Nursing Bracelet; fashionable bracelets that help keep track of when they last feed their baby. Ledeboer has also worked hard to create a diverse collection of baby carriers unique to those found on the local mass market as well as articles with detailed information comparing the different advantages of each carrier. Moms seeking to gain information about or purchase cloth diapering products will also find the Mom 4 Life website to be a valuable resource.
“The items I carry on my site are unique and useful. I choose to only offer products I would personally use and be excited to tell my friends about." This philosophy is apparently working judging from the customer comments found on her site such as this one from Diana, mother of 6 week old Charlton, "My sister introduced me to your website about 3 weeks ago, and since then I have been visiting your website on almost a daily basis, and I have to say...I had no idea there were such great products out there, and I am especially grateful that you offer them at such affordable prices! Thank you so much, I have already been referring my friends to your website because I cannot stop talking about it! Your fellow mom for life."
Customer loyalty seems rare these days when there are so many options for the consumer to choose from. This however, does not seem to be a problem for Ledeboer. “Mom 4 Life customers are very loyal. My secret is that I really believe in great customer service. It is something that unfortunately seems to be dying away in the business world. I will not hesitate to do whatever it takes to keep my customers happy. If there is ever a question of my customers satisfaction, I will do whatever I can to be sure that my customer feels great in the end.” Customer comments such as this one from Karen confirm that Ledeboer is right on track, “"Heather, Thank you so much for the update. Your emails are always so warm and thoughtful. I have never received such quality customer service and concern from anyone. You really have a way of making your customers feel special. . I have been spreading the word to all of my friends and co-workers about your website, and the excellent care they can expect from you. I want to thank you for providing this service, and for the personal emails keeping me updated. Any disappointment I might have felt at the delay was relieved by your kind words and frequent communication. Blessings to you and yours."
Ledeboer announced that her website Mom4Life.com has recently been re-designed to enhance the customer's experience. The business is based out of Ledeboer's home in Loma Linda, Calif.
Source: http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2006/3/emw357949.htm
Maclaren opens showroom
3/8/2006 |
| Maclaren USA has opened a 1,378-square-foot trade showroom near its headquarters here, designed to show the complete product line to both the trade and the public.
“It’s really about extra services,” said Karen Murabito, vice president of marketing for Maclaren USA. “…It’s an opportunity for someone to see the full line of products.” |
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| In addition to strollers, the showroom will include the company’s lines of baby carriers, toys and stroller accessories, as well as designer exclusives. A wide selection of products will be available for direct sale to consumers.
The bottom floor of the brick building will showcase the line, while the top floor houses offices. Murabito said the high-profile location near the Maritime Aquarium and many restaurants means the area is full of foot traffic, and it made sense to open the showroom to the public.
The showroom has video resources to occupy children accompanying their parents, as well as presentations detailing the history of Maclaren. In the future, the showroom will host design exhibits, educational talks on various topics for parents, and will be available to community groups as a meeting resource.
“Maclaren has always set the standards for the juvenile industry in innovation, design and service,” said Bahman Kia, president of Maclaren USA. “The trade showroom is the latest example of how we are raising the bar for children’s products in service to our consumers and retail customers.”
Murabito has recently joined Maclaren as vice president of marketing, and the company has created dedicated marketing, sales management and operations divisions as well.
Michael Tedesco has joined Maclaren as vice president of sales to handle the company’s retail distribution and national sales force. David Jenkins and Jed Whitters have been added as sales associates who will act as in-house sales managers.
Logistics and service industry veteran Carlos Ramos has joined the company in the newly created position of operations manager to ensure efficient and timely delivery of product.
Source: http://www.kidstodayonline.com/content/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleID=239 |
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