ergoPouch

Hip-Healthy Swaddles, Sleep Sacks & Sleep Suits

Award-winning manufacturer ergoPouch’s range of baby swaddles, sleep sacks and sleep suits have received “hip-healthy” designation from The International Hip Dysplasia Institute (IHDI), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the health and quality of life of those afflicted with hip dysplasia.

“We are thrilled to receive this designation from the International Hip Dysplasia Institute,” ergoPouch founder Alina Sack says. “Baby’s health and comfort is at the forefront of every ergoPouch design and we’re pleased to be recognized for our products which promote healthy hip development during infancy by an organization of this caliber.”

Australian-based ergoPouch founded in 2009 is renowned for the design and manufacture of premium baby swaddles, sleeping bags and sleep suits made from pure natural fibers. As a mother, Alina Sack draws on her own personal experiences of sleep deprivation to conceive of innovative products designed to help babies and kids get a better night’s sleep.

The award-winning ergoPouch collection includes baby swaddles, sleeping bags and sleep suits suitable for children ages birth to six years. All ergoPouch products are made with organic cotton, bamboo or Merino wool.

Hip-Healthy Status

In 2012, Prof Nicholas Clarke of University Hospital Southampton raised the alarm about tight swaddling. “Safe swaddling with appropriate devices should be promoted because it is recognized that traditional swaddling is a risk factor for developmental dislocation of the hip,” he says. “In order to allow for healthy hip development, legs should be able to bend up and out at the hips. This position allows for natural development of the hip joints. The babies’ legs should not be tightly wrapped in extension and pressed together.”

Using a traditional wrapping method, parents could wrap too tightly to ensure their babies stay securely swaddled. Wraps can tend to unravel, but it is really important to avoid wrapping a baby’s legs tightly in a straight (prone) position.

There is no origami and no wrapping involved when using an ergoCocoon or AirCocoon “They keep even the most determined Houdini babies snug,” Alina says. For this reason, the IHDI has recognized these ergoPouch products as “Hip-Healthy” – ergonomically designed with a bell-shaped bottom for extra legroom and made from stretchy organic cotton or bamboo to allow babies to move their legs comfortably and adopt the “frog-leg” position. They are perfect for babies diagnosed with hip dysplasia as a brace can be worn comfortably inside the swaddle.

Offering great functionality and versatility, ergoPouch also offers different sizes to ensure the right fit for baby with swaddles that can easily transition to a sleeping bag, and sleep suits that convert from bags to suits with legs for easy use from bassinet to stroller to baby carrier.

Children’s Retail Today publishes new articles each week about innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children. Contact me today with your great idea!

Goblies

Young inventor combines science, fun and “messy” play with her new toy company.

Briana Gardell is a 23-year-old Lehigh University graduate inventor and CEO of Mezzimatic, her new company behind the patent-pending Goblies -one of the toy sensations that launched at the New York Toy Fair 2016. In fact, CNBC named Goblies one of the hottest toys at the fair!

What Are Goblies?

Goblies are walnut sized-balls that can be thrown like water balloons – paintball with a colorful splat. “The idea for Goblies was inspired by a homework assignment in my technical entrepreneurship program asking us to combine manufacturing processes with our own creative direction,” Briana says. “The result is Goblies. I’m excited to officially establish Goblies as a new brand in the toy industry.”

After a successful Kickstarter in 2015, and a Eureka! Venture Series award, Briana readied Goblies for market, registering for her patent and exhibiting her toys at the Mini Maker Faire hosted by Barnes and Noble before officially introducing Goblies to the industry. She recently launched her toys on Maker Shed and at the Da Vinci Science Center.

“As a judge in the 2014 Eureka! Competition run by Lehigh’s Baker Institute for Entrepreneurship, I was instantly impressed with Briana and her Goblies,” Alita Friedman, toy industry veteran and CEO of Alita’s Brand Bar, says. “She had conceived an innovative and playful new S.T.E.M platform and won the Grand Prize in our competition. I look forward to watching her ongoing success.”

https://youtu.be/S_IvP_2qzDo

By combining chemistry with creativity, Goblies showcases the best of S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education activity kits. Currently available in both a starter kit and refill packs, Goblies include ingredients that allow kids (of all ages) to create squishy throw-able balls in an infinite number of colors. The final product is a wet powder that is not sticky and can be cleaned out of most items. Learn more about the science of Goblies right here.

Meanwhile, Briana has her eye on the future with plans to produce ready-made Goblies for instant fun and is also interested in licensing her new brand to established toy companies.

Congrats, Briana!

Children’s Retail Today publishes new articles each week about innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children. Contact me today with your great idea!

The Little Linguist’s Alphabet by LoveYourLingo

Beautiful, multilingual products to inspire little linguists to love their languages.

“I’m Mom to bilingual girls who speak English and French, and I have created a special alphabet to help make life easier for multilingual children, so they continue to love and speak their languages,” Úna McCarthy-Fakhry tells me nearly two years ago, just after she launches a crowdfunding campaign to get her creative endeavor off the ground. This January, with the help of 203 Kickstarter backers, the production of The Little Linguist’s Alphabet is a reality. Available as a poster, mini card or ebook, Úna’s multilingual alphabet is illustrated with 26 objects that all start with the same letter as their translations in English, Français, Español, Português, Deutsch, Nederlands and Italiano (coming soon). For example, D is always for Dinosaur and P is always for Princess, no matter which combination of these languages your little linguist speaks.

“The people who backed me came from all over the world, from Costa Rica to Japan, from the USA to New Zealand,” Úna says. “They have kept me going when things got difficult, and have been forever patient and supportive at every stage. I genuinely feel I now have 203 new friendships and want to thank each and every one of them for helping me make this a reality.”

As a result, Úna founded LoveYourLingo to make multilingual products that help little linguists thrive. The entire idea grew out of necessity as her own children began to discover the alphabet. Úna and her family currently live in Melbourne, where they share Australian, Irish, French and Lebanese roots. This OPOL (one parent, one language) family has Papa speaking French exclusively, while Úna’s main language is English. She has observed her daughters’ puzzled expressions while trying to identify which letter is which. “It is ‘p pour parapluie’ with her French Papa, but on the English alphabet on our wall, it is ‘u for umbrella’,” she says. “As we also knew many other little linguists facing a similar challenge, the idea just would not leave me alone.”

The sweet illustrations for, who also created the adorable little linguist Anna. “I have lots of plans for Anna, so if you have a curious little linguist who would like a little friend…watch this space (i.e., LoveYourLingo).”

Úna says she is constantly amazed by her little girls as they show her just how natural it is to speak more than one language. “I have also witnessed challenges they met along the way and feel that a positive language experience, in the delicate early years, can be crucial in determining whether a child continues to speak their languages or not.”

One of my own regrets in life is speaking only one language (English). Even though I graduated high school with years of French and Spanish under my belt, I still carry a dictionary when traveling. As a child, I never learned Polish, my relatives’ native tongue. Keeping the multilingual fire alive in young children is definitely the key to raising little linguists at home. Thanks, Úna!

Children’s Retail Today publishes new articles each week about innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children. Contact me today with your great idea!

Hoot Company Inspires Imagination Through Play

Get to know the new Hoot Company at this week’s Atlanta International Gift Show.

The folks at Hoot Company® believe childhood should be a hoot (very cute) – and offers unique, high-quality toys and books that focus on fun and imagination. Columbus, Ohio-based parents and entrepreneurs Kerri and David Love have created this new toy company to follow their passion for igniting their own young children’s imaginations – and now they’re excited to be introducing their two-year-old company to the children’s gift industry at The Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market. Visit them in Bldg. 3, Fl. 3, Booth #404.

Introducing Lovelets Plush Animals & Princess Kitty Butterfly – the First Toy Collection & Children’s Book

Hoot Company is entering the toy and gift markets with two initial brands that demonstrate the company’s commitment to fun and imagination: Lovelets® plush animal friends and Princess Kitty Butterfly®, an illustrated, read-along book and accompanying plush animal.

“We’re thrilled to introduce our company to those in the market looking for high-quality toys and books that inspire children’s imaginations. As parents ourselves, we believe children learn best through play and have made it our mission to create a family of toys that foster open-ended play.”

Lovelets® plush animals are one of two exclusive Hoot Company toy brands launching in Atlanta. The Lovelets collection features six super soft, 13.5-inch plush animal characters, each with a unique feature – arms that reach out as if to say, “Let’s Hug!”

“Lovelets ‘hugging arms’ encourage the positive and powerful act of hugging, which builds trust and a sense of safety, and also elevates mood and happiness. Not only do these adorable animals provide children hugs when they may need extra comfort on daily adventures, but they empower children to nurture others with hugs in return.”

Hoot Company is also introducing an illustrated, read-aloud picture book entitled, Princess Kitty Butterfly, about a chubby cat who dreams of becoming a butterfly. Readers follow Princess Kitty on an adventure and learn themes of self-confidence, perseverance and imagination. The book is available as a stand-alone item and also available as a gift set with an 8-inch plush toy.

“‘Princess Kitty Butterfly’ teaches young readers that if you believe in yourself, anything is possible. As with all Hoot Company toys and books, we hope it will inspire children’s imaginations and foster positive emotional growth through fun and play.”

After the Loves recognized many toys in the market today are void of imagination, diversity and positive emotional messaging, they set out on a mission to bring toys to the market that spark imaginations and encourage open-ended play. Hoot Company is an entirely new kind of toy company formed a wholesale distributor. Toys, games and books will be available through independent, specialty, children’s gift and online retailers, as well as bookstores.

Children’s Retail Today publishes new articles each week about innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children. Contact me today with your great idea!

MAM

Standard setting baby products

Since MAM developed its first pacifier in Vienna in 1976, it has evolved to become a world leader in innovating and developing top quality baby care products for nearly 40 years. The company combines technological innovation, medical function and contemporary design to develop superior baby care products such as award-winning pacifiers, bottles, cups, teethers, oral care items and coordinating accessories that support a baby’s development from day one. Today, all MAM products are 100% baby safe: BPA-free, PVC-free, lead-free and CPSIA-compliant; and are used by families in over 60 countries and on five continents.

MAM recently joined forces with the United Nations Foundation’s Shot@Life Campaign, matching all gifts made to Shot@Life up to $25,000 during this year’s #GivingTuesday, which began on December 1. The Shot@Life campaign is rallying to support for polio immunizations around the globe. Polio, a disease that once crippled hundreds of thousands of children each year, is now 99% eradicated and only remains endemic in two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

“Polio anywhere is a threat everywhere so we must remain diligent in our efforts to combat this horribly disabling disease,” says Devi Thomas, Director, Shot@Life campaign. “With support from MAM we hope to raise funding and awareness for polio so we can put an end to this disease for good.”

Last year, MAM helped support Shot@Life’s efforts to provide thousands of pneumonia vaccines to children in developing countries during the #GivingTuesday campaign.

“For nearly 40 years, MAM has created products that promote the healthy development of babies,” says Isaac Cohen, Vice President of Marketing. “Our partnership with Shot@Life will enable us to further support our mission and reach more children across the globe.”

Still Time to Support Shot@Life

All gifts made to Shot@Life from December 1 through the end of 2015 will go to support ending polio globally.

In addition to its $25,000 matching contribution, MAM has created a line of Shot@Life branded pacifiers. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the limited edition pacifier sales will benefit Shot@Life.

Jennifer Mitchell in as CEO

MAM recently promoted Jennifer Mitchell to the position of Chief Executive Officer for North America effective January 1, 2016. Mitchell currently holds the position of V.P. of Sales for MAM North America and will succeed current CEO Fritz Hirsch who is retiring. Hirsch will continue to act as an advisor to the company.

Children’s Retail Today publishes new articles each week about innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children. Contact me today with your great idea!

Micuna

Global children’s furniture and accessories company set to launch in the U.S. this December.

Micuna SL, the market leader in Spain and one of Europe’s top manufacturers of children’s furniture and accessories débuts in the U.S. with signature furniture lines. Micuna is represented in the U.S. through a partnership with another Spanish company, Babyhome.

“We are excited to be partnering with Babyhome to bring the Micuna brand to the U.S., providing parents with stylish, durable and eco-friendly new choices, delivered with a unique international design. Our research has shown that there is a niche in the juvenile furniture market for high quality, handcrafted and safety compliant furniture.”

–Marcos Garcia Martin, CEO Micuna USA

With more than 40 years of industry experience, Micuna is renowned for the production of high quality, eye catching products that ensure the comfort and safety of a baby. Micuna’s trend-setting products are handcrafted from the company’s state-of-the-art, 35,000 square foot factory in Valencia, Spain.

The Micuna U.S. collection will include:

OVO High Chair – Micuna’s award-winning posh and stylish high chair that combines comfort and safety with elegant design. OVO is made with solid beechwood that comes from sustainable managed forests. This striking chair is incredibly practical too; it evolves so that it can be used until a child is six years of age.

SMART FRESH Bassinet – Perfect for baby’s early development and a striking addition to any modern nursery, this mobile bassinet can be near a parent for peace of mind. The bassinet’s main characteristic is its completely transparent and breathable fabric which allows parents to see baby all of the time without having to get out of bed. The stylish oval shape is comfortably padded to envelop baby and to make them feel safe and secure. The bassinet’s six wheels allow for it to be easily moved from one room to another.

LIFE Crib – A crib with endless combinations and constructions, the LIFE crib is designed for parents looking for something original and different that will make baby’s environment a special place. Parents will have fun designing their own customizable easy to assemble crib with a range of bar shades and crib bases. Made from solid beechwood and eco-MDF.

HARMONY Single Evolutive Crib – The innovative HARMONY Single Crib offers the perfect solution that links practicality and space saving. Characterized by its originality and sharp modern design, this crib is for those seeking baby products with exceptional features, quality and most importantly, safety. The HARMONY crib can easily evolve from crib-to-twin size bed as a child grows with the use of an optional kit for conversion to bed. Made from solid beechwood and eco-MDF.

One of the first Spanish companies to comply with stringent European quality and safety standards, Micuna is quality control certified by AIDIMA (Technological Institute of furniture, wood, packaging and related). With a conscious commitment to the environment, Micuna also was the first baby furniture manufacturer in the world to achieve the ISO 14001 environmental certification. All Micuna products are made with wood obtained from sustainable forests and their coating process is performed with water paint.

Micuna will be available at juvenile goods retailers nationwide beginning late December 2015/early January 2016.

Children’s Retail Today publishes new articles each week about innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children. Contact me today with your great idea!

Atissu

New lifestyle brand Atissu is on a mission to make everyday objects more lovely.

The début collection of contemporary boxed tissues from one of the UK’s newest lifestyle brands, Atissu, is quite distinctive. What we really like – experienced brand expert, packaging designer and creator Sam Dumont is pluck enough to include the kids’ rooms in her designs.

These days, parents are keen to complement the beautiful modern interiors of their homes with equally beautiful accessories – including tissue boxes. Why hide them when they look like this?

Desirable for the Design Conscious

“I hope you will love (as much as we do) and will agree that our tissue range is spot on for children’s bedrooms and playrooms,” Kerry O’Connor, who runs PR for the company, says. “These little boxes often sit next to carefully curated items like ornaments, prints and favorite toys; things that people have taken time, energy and money to source.” The launch collection of 12 new contemporary boxed tissues is designed and made in Britain, and the folks at Atissu work closely with like-minded suppliers to source materials sustainably.

“Parents tell us that there’s nothing available that they actively like, and certainly nothing that compliments their children’s bedrooms; their children just adore our new designs, we’ve been told!”

All About Atissu

Apart from choosing a fabulous name for a tissue company, Sam and her team like to work with select illustrators, artists, textile and graphic designers on original box designs that please the eye. For the premiere children’s collection, they collaborated with illustrator duo Loopz art. Four different boxes are available with four little buddies on each side of each box, totaling 16 cute but cool characters: Fox & Co, Tiger & Co, Bear & Co and Panda & Co. The box designs are printed on matt board from well-managed forests so as to not compromise on sustainability or quality. “We print locally in London using only vegetable based inks and water based varnishes,” Kerry tells me.

All About the Tissues!

For those little delicate noses, the tissues are made from 3-ply super-soft FSC material.

In addition, Atissu has just launched a beautiful new collection of Giclee prints. As Sam likes to say, it’s just “a little bit of lovely every day.” Available wholesale and online.

Children’s Retail Today publishes new articles each week about innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children. Contact me today with your great idea!

LÍLLÉbaby & The Guncles

A new baby carrier that celebrates adoption – Benefits the Independent Adoption Center

Popular baby carrier maker LÍLLÉbaby and The Guncles (aka Bill Horn and Scout Masterson) are collaborating on an original, new, limited-edition baby and doll carrier to celebrate adoption. The bold geometric print is available now on LILLEbaby.com and Amazon.com. A portion of the proceeds from sales will be donated to the Independent Adoption Center (IAC), a national non-profit adoption agency.

Who are The Guncles®?

For six seasons, millions tuned into reality TV’s Tori & Dean and saw the couple’s good friends who became known as The Guncles (the words gay + uncles combined) to their kids. Throughout the years, fans tuned in to be a part of Bill Horn and Scout Masterson’s commitment ceremony as well as their efforts to adopt a child of their own. In 2010, with the help of IAC, daughter Simone Lynn became part of the family, which grew again in 2014 with the addition of son Bosley Jo.

“When our friends at LÍLLÉbaby suggested we create our own custom print to be featured on their popular carriers, we knew we wanted to design a bold, geometric print that was cheerful, sophisticated, and unique,” The Guncles say. “We are proud to be able to use this project to benefit a charity near-and-dear to our hearts – the Independent Adoption Center.”

With a fresh box of crayons and a blank sheet of paper, The Guncles created the colorful print by hand, an expression of the joy and love that adoption has brought into their lives.

“We are excited to announce this beautiful new collection and love this bold, one-of-a-kind print created by Bill and Scout,” LÍLLÉbaby President Lisbeth Lehan says. “We followed their adoption process last year, and it feels very special to be able to assist them in giving back to the organization that made their family.”

Benefits of Babywearing

“Wearing your baby is an amazing experience that serves you and your baby in so many ways,” Lisbeth says. “There are many benefits of babywearing, not the least of which is that it promotes bonding and attachment. Many social workers recommend babywearing as an effective way for new adoptive parents and children to bond. LÍLLÉbaby is thrilled to be a part of that essential bonding process and further support it through this collaboration.”

All proceeds that The Guncles earn from the sale of this limited edition run of LÍLLÉbaby carriers will be donated to the IAC and LÍLLÉbaby is matching their donation. IAC plans to use the donations to assist adoptive parents with above expected or anticipated expenses, such as legal and medical fees.

“What a great and creative way for Bill and Scout to pay-it-forward to other adoptive parents with the help of LÍLLÉbaby’s wonderful products,” says Ann Wrixon, IAC Executive Director.

IAC is the largest open adoption agency in the country, facilitating adoptions in 49 states, and fully licensed with offices in California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, New York, North Carolina, and Texas. Since opening in 1982, the IAC has successfully placed over 4,000 newborns with families in the United States. “The IAC is so grateful for their generosity.”

Good news for fans, too – The Guncles are currently in development on their own reality TV show.

Children’s Retail Today publishes new articles each week about innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children. Contact me today with your great idea!

Ju-Ju-Be Intl

The fun & functional changing bag company goes international – now available in Europe & Australia.

Ju-Ju-Be diaper bags are built to fit everything baby needs, while being stylish and fun for Moms and families. Now, the company is Celebrating 10 Years with a huge announcement: with a new office and warehouse in The Netherlands, mothers, fashionistas and existing Ju-Ju-Be fans will be able to purchase products at the web shop, www.ju-ju-be.com/europe, and at selected e-tailers and retailers across Europe. In addition, Ju-Ju-Be will also be available to purchase online in Australia via www.ju-ju-be.com. The current collection, regularly published limited editions, product updates and new prints will all be available.

Ju-Ju-Be Intl has been creating a passionate community by making it an exceptional experience to own a Ju-Ju-Be changing bag. Combining top quality materials, smart technology and outstanding service, Ju-Ju-Be changing bags have much more to offer than machine washable and stain repellent materials, crumb drains and antimicrobial linings – they are also funky, fashionable and fun to own.

Design collaborations with pop culture iconic brands like tokidoki and Hello Kitty have made Ju-Ju-Be bags and accessories worldwide collector’s items, with full production runs selling out in hours. The Ju-Ju-Be community exchanges their experiences globally via Facebook, through Pink Room, the international forum, as well as on Instagram and Pinterest.

Features that mom and baby will love. Customers say if you want the best diaper bag, the cutest diaper bag or the most functional diaper bag, there’s only one place to go … Ju-Ju-Be. The Costa Mesa, CA-based company did start with diaper bags, and now has expanded into purses, handbags, tote bags, shopping bags, laptop bags – all sorts of other bags that will make your friends jealous.

Congratulations, Ju-Ju-Be – Here’s to many more years of success!

Children’s Retail Today publishes new articles each week about innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children. Contact me today with your great idea!

Kaskey Kids

Toys kids love to play with and parents like to top the birthday cake with.

The Kaskey Kids toy company produces high-quality sports action figures for imaginary play. Kaskey combines kids’ love of action figures and sports, designing their “Guys” with one goal in mind… to encourage countless hours of imaginary play in sports loving children.

Kaskey has done their homework. When kids engage in “open-ended” play with no defined expectations or fixed rules, their social, emotional and cognitive development benefit, according to research studies.

“Knowing that my toys are chosen, loved and played with, even with all the high tech electronic options out there, is very satisfying.”

-Christy Kaskey

In 2002, Christy Kaskey, designed the perfect toy for her sports loving kids, inspired by the appeal of classic action figures such as Army Men, Super Heroes and Cowboys ‘n Indians and the modern value these toys have of open-ended, child-driven, fun and imaginary play. Now the company has Football, Hockey, Soccer, Baseball and College Sports Action Figures, Soccer Girls Action Figures, Go Go Sports Dolls and more.

Each toy in the Kaskey Kids line is recognized in the toy industry for the creative and imaginative play they inspire, including the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award, Learning Express Best Toy Award, National Parenting Award and Creative Child Magazine Preferred Choice Award, among others.

After more than a decade in business, a trend that Christy hopes will continue is the gender neutral way many of her customers view her toys. “We knew Soccer Girls would be a hit for 3-8 year old girls, but I have been thrilled to hear that so many fathers are spending time with their daughters using Football Guys, Hockey Guys and Baseball Guys,” she says. “Playing with our toys is a great way for a parent to pass on the love of a sport and in some cases explain the rules.”

Plus, Kasey Kids toys have also inspired parents to liven up kids’ birthday parties and celebrations with the “Guys” as well. And the festivities don’t have to be just for kids: InStyle Magazine has featured Kaskey Kids action figures in several articles, including one about a centerpiece for a Super Bowl celebration!

Children’s Retail Today publishes new articles each week about innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children. Contact me today with your great idea!