Canada Day Specials and Giveaways!

9:49 p.m. July 1, edited to add: We realize that many of you are away at family or other events today instead of at the computer (and so you should be!) so we have decided to extend our giveaway offers through the weekend to give more of you a chance to participate!

Help us celebrate Canada Day, no matter where you live! We are promoting our favourite Canadian-made products and want to spread the love by giving them away!

So on Thursday July 1st ONLY  between 12:00 a.m. PST Thursday, July 1st and 11:59 p.m. PST Sunday, July 4th:

• spend $40 or more and get a FREE Ringley natural teething toy!

• spend $75 or more and get a FREE Family Pastimes cooperative game of your choice!

• spend $100 or more and get a FREE Continuum Family Pouch Sling of your choice!

Just let us know in the notes at checkout which free item you would like and we will confirm your choice before shipping.

• plus, ALL orders (no minimum $) placed on July 1 (between 12:00 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. PST)  between 12:00 a.m. PST July 1 and 11:59 p.m. PST July 4 will be entered into a draw for this adorable brand-new set of Animalz (valued at over $40):

Animalz are Australian-designed and made from sustainable maple wood and textile products that have the unique function to bend in different poses. They are hand painted using waterbased paint and the fabrics are azo dye and formaldehyde free. Recommended for ages 3 and up due to small parts.

Fine print: July 1 giveaways limited to 5 in each spending category, first come first serve, from available stock. Specials cannot be combined with any discount coupons.

And, Canada Day will also be the kick off for our next giveaway: a Baby Buddha Organic Bamboo Stretchy Baby Carrier!

I absolutely loved this carrier with my son when he was small. As a newborn he didn't like the cradle hold, wanted an upright tummy-to-tummy exclusively. Now, I've never been much of a wrap lover, I could never get them tied right and always hated the ends dragging on the ground while I was getting it on. The Baby Buddha solves those issues with its 3-piece system (2 pouches and a support sash). All the comfort of a wrap with the ease of a pouch sling. You can wear this carrier in several different ways (wearing instructions included). And their organic bamboo stretch fabric is so soft and supportive.
 
To enter for your chance to win this carrier, please leave a comment to this post, telling us which colour you would like to win (choices are plum, charcoal, forest green and warm sand). Please note that comments are moderated. Comments from "anonymous" will be deleted. You will not see your comment immediately after posting so please don't post again thinking your post didn't go through. I will be approving comments several times a day.

Contest is open to all until 11:59 p.m. PST on Sunday, July 4 and I'll close comments and announce the winner on Monday, July 5. Winner to be chosen by random number generator. To get extra entries (please leave an additional comment for each extra entry):

~ Come follow us on Twitter
~ Add our Facebook Page to pages you like
~ Blog about this giveaway and leave the link in your comment
~ Tweet about the contest (tweet ONCE PER DAY ONLY for extra entries and leave the link in your comment(s) please.

Happy Canada Day!

Soft Structured Baby Carrier Comparison Chart

I have been wanting to put this chart together for some time, as we get so many questions from people asking about the differences in features among the various soft structured carriers out there. Choosing the right carrier for your needs can be an overwhelming decision to make, and I'm hoping this chart helps make that decision a little easier.

I have chosen to include in this comparison chart the two that we sell (Beco and Pikkolo) and two that we don't (Ergo and Baby Bjorn). I include the Ergo and Baby Bjorn because they are probably the two most well-known carriers -- BUT they are not the most well-designed soft structured carriers out there (in fact the Baby Bjorn is probably one of the poorest designs out there in my opinion).

I used to use an Ergo and loved it at the time, but then discovered Beco and Pikkolo and you will see that both of these come out above the Ergo based on the chart features. I've never used a Baby Bjorn, so cannot speak from experience on this one. I include it because it's mass-marketed but in my opinion a it's a very poor option that I would like to prevent people from choosing if at all possible. I just cringe every time I see a baby dangling in one of those things! Baby Bjorn, you make a good potty but please, get out of the babywearing market!

So, without further ado, here's the chart. I welcome constructive feedback in the comments.

SOFT STRUCTURED BABY CARRIER COMPARISON CHART

	Beco Butterfly	Pikkolo	ERGOBaby	Baby Bjorn
Price	$139 USD $149 CAD	$129 USD plus $22 USD for Babywearing Support Belt	$105-135 USD plus $25-38 USD for infant insert accessory	$80-145 USD
Wearing Positions	Front carry (facing in only), back carry (made easier than with other carriers due to internal harness)	Front carry (facing in or out, ergonomically), back carry, hip carry (not recommended for long periods of time due to uneven distribution of weight)	Front carry (facing in only), back carry	Front carry only, facing in or out BUT does NOT allow baby to be carried in ergonomically correct seated position; instead baby hangs suspended by the crotch which concentrates pressure at base of baby's spine
Age/Weight	Newborn through toddler with removable infant insert (included in purchase price) 7 to 45 lbs	Newborn through toddler 8 to 40 lbs	Newborn through toddler but need infant insert for babies <4 months (purchased separately) Up to 40 lbs	Newborn to about 1 yr maximum but more likely 6 months 8 to 25 lbs stated but due to its design it is likely to be very uncomfortable by about 16 lbs
Carrier Fabric	Shoulder straps and carrier lining are 100% organic brushed cotton as of 2010 collection; select organic options in prior years' models;gorgeous printed panels (non-organic) on body of carrier as well as solid color options	No organic fabric options at this time; 100% brushed cotton straps with gorgeous printed panels on body of carrier as well as solid color options	Both organic and non-organic options; solid colors only, some with embroidery	Both organic and non-organic options; solid colors only
Carrier Height	16" from top of waistband	15" when worn folded at the bottom with apron-style waistband; 17" from top of waistband when Babywearing Support Belt is attached	13" from top of waistband; wearer may find it too short in the body for older babies	11.5"
Carrier Body Width at Seat	13"	8" when cinched to narrowest setting; 13" at widest setting	14"
Infant Insert	Yes, removable insert for babies 8-15 lbs (included in purchase price) that holds them higher in the carrier and allows for minimal leg spread	No, but carrier body cinches narrower at base to accommodate smaller baby	Yes, purchased separately, a bit awkward and bulky	No
Harness System	Yes, baby is buckled into carrier and carrier is then put on; baby can be passed from one person to another while in the carrier	No, parent buckles carrier on and then puts baby in; baby cannot be passed to another wearer while in the carrier	No, parent buckles carrier on and then puts baby in; baby cannot be passed to another wearer while in the carrier	No, parent buckles carrier on and then puts baby in; baby cannot be passed to another wearer while in the carrier
Sleeping Hood	Yes, elasticized and snaps to shoulder straps; detachable with snaps for storage in sleeve on carrier base	Yes, elasticized and attaches with snap hooks to D-rings on shoulder straps; detachable with velcro but no storage on carrier; height not adjustable	Yes, hood-shaped to hold baby's head; elasticized sides; non-detachable with snaps; height adjustable	No
Shoulder Straps	Always worn backpack style and held together with height-adjustable chest clip; single direction pull to adjust strap	Can be worn with straps crossed at the back for front carries or backpack style with a height adjustable chest clip for front and back carries; dual adjustable straps can be tightened from either direction and buckle can be relocated forward or back for customized comfort	Always worn backpack style and held together with height-adjustable chest clip; single direction pull to adjust strap
Ergonomics	Weight is distributed to wearer's lower body via padded hip belt and balanced on wearer's shoulders with nicely padded shoulder straps	Weight is distributed to wearer's lower body via unpadded hip belt (padded belt is an optional accessory) and balanced on wearer's shoulders with comfy memory foam shoulder straps	Weight is distributed to wearer's lower body via padded hip belt and balanced on wearer's shoulders with fairly bulky padded shoulder straps	Does not have a hip belt and therefore does not distribute the weight to the wearer's lower body; the baby's weight is almost entirely borne by the wearer's shoulders and upper back
Ease of Nursing	Possible for most moms: loosen shoulder straps and lower baby down to latch on then tighten straps to get baby back in proper carrying position; T-shaped harness might be in the way for some wearers; high carrier body and sleeping hood (if attached) provide good privacy	Easy for most moms: loosen shoulder straps (easy due to placement and dual-adjustment straps), lower baby down to latch on then tighten straps to get baby back in proper carrying position; sleeping hood provides good privacy if attached.	Fairly easy for most moms: loosen shoulder straps, lower baby down to latch on then tighten straps to get baby back to proper carrying position; sleeping hood provides decent privacy coverage but shorter carrier body means less privacy than with other carrier	Possible,but likely not very secure, comfortable or private (due to small carrier size and lack of sleep hood)
Where Manufactured	California	Chicago and Estonia	China	Sweden

Winner of the Carnival Beco Butterfly II!

Wow! What a great response to this giveaway! So nice to see all the comments-- lots of bECO fans out there, but also many fairly new to babywearing and wanting to get into it. Love it! :)

Anyways, without further ado, we have a winner with post #174:

Laura Beth said... I like your page on fb.

Her original comment was:

Laura Beth said... I am in love with this carrier, it just looks so cute! Thanks for the chance!

So, Laura Beth, I'll contact you through Facebook and we'll get that bECO out to you right away! Please note that I need to hear back from you within 72 hours (so, by 8:00 am PST on Friday, June 4) or I will redraw.

Edited:  I almost forgot I have two organic bECO shoulder bags that I meant to give away as well.

So here are the draw results for those:

1) Post #50: Laci said...
following you on twitter
laciboudreauRMT from original post: Laci said...
I'm sure whoever the lucky winner is will be delighted!

and


2) Post #210: Stephanie said...
I am a Facebook fan of Continuum Family from original post: Stephanie said...
I just borrowed a bECO from a friend for a weekend trip and fell in love. I would so LOVE to win this! Great giveaway!!!

Thanks so much everyone, and stay tuned for more giveaways and summer specials!