DINGaRING Rattle Teether Toy

How cute are these guys?  Seriously cool baby gifts for newborns and up, but our favourite thing about them is they have an ever so slightly irreverant touch of humour to their personality profiles which are sure to be a hit with the big people!

Tony Tree Fog

Job: Window Cleaner

Loves: Finger less Gloves & Game shows

Hates: Tight shoes & Peanut butter

Pete Penguin

Job:     Bellydancer

Loves:  Sunbaking & Caviar

Hates:   Oil baths & Waxing



Emma Owl

Job:    Truck Driver
 
Loves: Country music & Surfing
 
Hates:  VPL & Speed Cameras

Betty Butterfly

Job:     Salsa Teacher
 
Loves:  Honey & Juggling
 
Hates:   Blisters &  Chilli




The totally original DINGaRING range bring smiles to the faces of babies & adults alike. The natural wooden teething ring, luxuriously soft plush fabric body & gentle rattle make it the ideal gift for newborns & teething babies.

These quirky characters have personalities of their own & never fail to get a giggle from the grown ups!

• Gentle fun rattle toy
• Natural wooden teething ring
• Super soft plush soft toy
• Suitable from newborn+

Available now for $29 each, from Belly Beyond.

Belly Beyond DINGaRING Challenge

Create your own DINGaRING personality, you can base it on yourself or someone you know - funniest one(s) will be published on our Facebook page and you'll win a DINGaRING of your choice.

Here's my attempt:

LouLou Lobster

Job:   Life Guard

Loves:   Shoe shopping & Reality Television

Hates:   Spa pools & Parallel Parking

Bakers Delight Christmas Cake Craziness

 

Oooooo, Cake!  We got to try a Bakers Delights Christmas Cake today with Heidi demonstrating her fantastic leadership skills (above).

Christmas Cake can have pretty unfair reputation as the heavy, poor cousin to other more glamorous cakes, the like Chocolate or Carrot (best that's the first time anything Carrot would have been called glamorous!).

But.... the unanimous consensus from the Belly Beyond team after sampling the delights of said Christmas Cake was Y.U.M and absolutely perfect with a cup of tea.  

Nicely done to the team at Bakers Delight, we think this cake is guaranteed to please everyone this Christmas. 

Holiday Travel Life Savers #1

We love travel, and have experienced our share of the challenges that arise when travelling with babies and young kids.  This Christmas we're putting together our travel tips and featuring the products that we couldn't do without when we're packing the families bags and heading away. 
 
Safe T Sleep - Bed in a Bag!
If you are going away anywhere for the holidays with your under 3's and you can't or don't want to take a Portacot, then it's definitely worth considering getting a Safe T Sleep.  The Travel Safe T Sleep (pictured above) in particular is our Holiday Travel Life Saver #1 because of the wide range of beds it can be used in.

• cots/cribs, boat beds, caravan beds, motor home mattresses, standard single, king single, double, queen and king beds!

 

Original Safe T Sleep   
The Classic Safe T Sleep shouldn't be discounted though, as it fits in bassinet, hammocks,  aircraft-cradles, cot/crib and standard single mattress.

It's cheaper at $119.95 and a great choice if you don't need to use it on a bed bigger than a single.
 

Key benefits of the Original Safe T Sleep® Sleepwrap®:

1. Peace of mind and a better sleep
2. Comfortable, allows natural movements
3. Warm in winter, cool in summer
4. Helps keep face and head clear to comply with International safer sleeping guidelines
5. Helps prevent cot/crib and bed falls
6. Ideal for Reflux, GERD, colds, colic positioning
7. Helps prevent misshapen (flat) heads
8. A safer transition from bassinet or hammock to cot/crib and cot/crib to ‘big bed’
9. Great for travelling, visiting, holidaying and boating
10. Newborn to three years plus

New Zealand parents have voted SAFE T SLEEP the BEST safety product in the OHbaby! Awards.

Mumanu Pregnancy Pillow Giveaway

 

WANT TO WIN YOURSELF A MUMANU PREGNANCY PILLOW?

Find this Mumanu photo (above) on our Facebook page and send your answer to the question you'll see to win@bellybeyond.co.nz.  Competition closure has been extended to Friday 16th December! :)

MUMANU

Far more comfortable than a pillow between your knees, the Mumanu® [m'um-anooo] pregnancy pillow is a self-inflating pillow to use under your leg when pregnant or postnatal. Keeping you correctly aligned, preventing and relieving lower back and hip ache, you will feel so comfortable you'll want to use it long after your baby's born! By keeping your hip, knee and foot at the same height, the Mumanu® prevents you from twisting, giving you and your baby the maximum space to keep comfortable.

The Mumanu® was designed by a specialist in pregnancy massage and tested on over 1500 women. 96% of those surveyed found it more comfortable that what they had been using at home... so we know you'll love it too.

BENEFITS

There are so many benefits of the Mumanu® pregnancy pillow.  We've listed the ones we've discovered so far but please feel free to let us know if you find more. We've also written a whole page of geeky stuff to help you understand why the pillow works so well for you during pregnancy (and also for everyone else using the pillow).

•     Takes pressure off your bladder which means less getting up in the night - What a relief!
•     Quickly eases hip and lower backache
•     Keeps your spine and pelvis aligned when side-lying
•     Keeps your hip joint at the correct and most comfortable angle
•     Relaxes your buttock muscles
•     Takes the pressure off BOTH legs
•     Correctly supports your lower back, hips, knees and feet by preventing twisting of your joints
•     Can be used safely for side-lying while breastfeeding and co-sleeping

  
So not just for pregnancy!

•     Positioning keeps you cooler than normal pillows
•     Easy to change sides during the night due to its light weight
•     Easy to use for comfortable positioning during love making (since there’s no pillow between your legs)
•     Because you will be so much more comfortable, you won't need to turn over so much during the night

EVEN MORE BENEFITS

•     Can be used in front*, back* and side-lying positions
•     Easy to store as it can be deflated
•     Height adjustable for different people and different surfaces
•     So anyone can use it!
•     Solid support
•     Easy to clean
•     Comfortable and stylish fabric
•     More hygienic than a normal pillow
•     Easy to inflate/deflate
•     Easy to travel with on holiday or to the hospital, so you can get comfy when lying on your side during labour
•     Will not lose shape (re-inflate when air releases), so you can use it for your next pregnancy
•     Non-Toxic
•     2 year manufacturer’s warranty
•     Very lightweight and compact
•     Made from fleece TPU, a recyclable and biodegradable plastic

* We do not recommend lying on your front or back during pregnancy for the comfort and safety of you and your unborn baby.

The Mumanu is $89 and available for same-day dispatch (order before 2pm Mon-Fri) from Belly Beyond.

Impassioned plea from car theft victim

I spotted this car parked on a Kingsland side street the other day.  You cannot help but feel for the car owners, who've clearly been the victim of more than one break in and have resorted to this sad but humerous sign to send a message to the thieves. 

Here's hope the scumbag thieves actually know how to read!

Any car window repair companies out there that can help these guys out with a free/cheap replacement rear window?

Cyber Monday

What is a world-wide shopping phenomenon overseas, is still in it's infancy here in New Zealand, but as the pioneers of Cyber Monday NZ (with the Wikipedia mention to prove it), we are very pleased to announce that it's back, bigger and better for 2011.

YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS SALE!

Kicking off on 28th November, make sure you put it in your diary and prepare yourself for the SALE OF THE YEAR at Belly Beyond.

Make sure you are a Belly Beyond member as our Cyber Monday newsletter will signal when the sale is live so you can be among the first to get to checkout and will ensure you don't miss out on the "once-a-year" deals!   Sign up here

Plus... 'Like' us on Facebook where we hope to provide early VIP access for Facebook fans (technology allowing) and we'll also notify when stock is replenished and added throughout the sale.

You can have a browse around for whats going to be available - we are adding products all the time so keep checking back.

• Change Wallets - Isoki Clutches and Petite Travellers - up to 44% off 

• Nappy Bags - gr8x (save 37%), Isoki (save up to 38%), OiOi (save  up to 40%)

• Toys & Puzzles - Janod toy range (up to 40% off).  THESE TOYS ARE A-MAY-ZING. This is the staff favourite with our team taking home at least a couple of items each for Christmas pressies.

• Travel High Chairs - 2 for $20 - crazy price! (80% off)
• Lily Pad Designer Liners - versitile liner for pram, highchair and anywhere your little one has a seat - save $25!

• Smart Mum Teething Necklaces & Bangles - jewellery for mum to wear, thats safe for baby to chew on.  Made from the same materials as teething toys, they are PVA, BPA, phthalate and lead free. (up to 40% off!)

• Womama Birthing Wraps - the ultimate maternity dress for during and after baby (save up to $45!)

• Eat & Drink - up to 50% off Boon Inc feeding items, half price Safe Sippy Stainless Steel drink bottles, $25 off Isoki Bib sets - fantastic fun but practical Christmas gifts here!

Plus up to 75% off HOTmilk, including the Calm Rebellion nightwear.  Wowzers!

Win with HOTmilk

Sparkly things to win - hooray!   With every purchase of HOTmilk from Belly Beyond between 5th November and the 9th January 2012, you get the chance to win one of 50 pairs of Swarovski Crystal earrings.  All you have to do to enter, is purchase any HOTmilk item and then complete one little question on the HOTmilk Facebook Page - easy peasy!

Don't forget to hold onto your Belly Beyond receipt - you'll need that to claim your prize if you win. 

Shop our HOTmilk section here

Then enter the competition here

Super Bra - up, up, and away

superbra has arrived at Belly Beyond

Yes!  A comfortable bra, you can use no matter what size your breasts (or the rest of you) grows to during pregnancy and as it shrinks back down (apart from the boobs!) once baby is here.  Perfect for sleeping in too.

But it's not just for pregnancy, it's a fantastic bra to have in your drawer for any time.

superbra features:

• Super stretch and super comfort wireless bra.
• Fits a wide range of shapes and cup sizes.
• Wireless support suitable for use during pregnancy.
• Comfortable enough to sleep in, great for everyday use.
• Easy care wash and wear. No clips or fastenings.
• Popular as a post-surgery comfort bra.

Simple sizing options, if you are an 8-14D choose the S-M and if you're a 14D-18G, choose the M-L.  We have it on good authority that the superbra also acommodates up to a J and K cup so why not order one, try it on, if it doesn't fit, simply follow the instructions in our groovy 60 day return & exchange policy.

Cyber Monday NZ

What is a world-wide shopping phenomenon overseas, is still in it's infancy here in New Zealand, but as the pioneers of Cyber Monday NZ (with the Wikipedia entry to prove it), we are very pleased to announce that it's back, bigger and better for 2011!

Kicking off on 28th November, make sure you put it in your diary and prepare yourself for the SALE OF THE YEAR at Belly Beyond.  Click here for a taste of just some of the brands that are going to feature.

Make sure you are signed up to be the first to know when new stock is released into the sale and hit the 'like' button on Facebook too because that's where we'll be alerting you when stocks are replenished and added throughout the sale.

www.bellybeyond.co.nz

Flexibath Toys - GIVEAWAY!

We've got 2 packs of Flexi Bath Toys to give away to some lucky Belly Beyond-ers, these are designed to work with the amazing Flexi Bath, but will attach to any smooth surface and will be such fun for summer water play!

Flexi Bath Toys
The Flexi Bath Toys include an ingenious small table which can be attached to all bath tubs. The Flexi Bath toys consist of a coffee tea making set with colourful cups, jugs and a funnel. The toys which are soft and fun to play with are made with the soft TPE plastic used in the Flexi Bath.

The Flexi Bath Toys are made from PP and TPE and comply with all relevant international standards. Both types of materials are free from PVC, Phthalates, BPA, heavy metals and other harmful or hazardous materials.

To be in to wina set of Flexi Bath Toys, simply email us on win@bellybeyond.co.nz with

• your favourite summer getaway spot
• and if you post your favourite Flexibath colour on Facebook "My favourite colour Flexibath at Belly Beyond is ... " (don't forget to tag us) on your Facebook wall, we'll double your chances to win!

Competition closes 15th November.

SAHM - What do you do all day?

From the 'an oldie, but a goodie' file
 
One afternoon a man came home from work to find total mayhem in his house. His three children were outside, still in their pajamas, playing in the mud, with empty food boxes and wrappers strewn all around the front yard. The door of his wife's car was open, as was the front door to the house and there was no sign of the dog.

Proceeding into the entry, he found an even bigger mess. A lamp had been knocked over, and the throw rug was wadded against one wall .. In the lounge, the TV was loudly blaring a cartoon channel, and the family room was strewn with toys and various items of clothing.

In the kitchen, dishes filled the sink, breakfast food was spilled on the counter, the fridge door was open wide, dog food was spilled on the floor, a broken glass lay under the table, and a small pile of sand was spread by the back door.

He quickly headed up the stairs, stepping over toys and more piles of clothes, looking for his wife. He was worried she may be ill, or that something serious had happened.


He was met with a small trickle of water as it made its way out the bathroom door. As he peered inside he found wet towels, scummy soap and more toys strewn over the floor. Miles of toilet paper lay in a heap and toothpaste had been smeared over the mirror and walls.

As he rushed to the bedroom, he found his wife still curled up in the bed in her pajamas, reading a novel. She looked up at him, smiled, and asked how his day went. He looked at her bewildered and asked, "What happened here today?"

She again smiled and answered, "You know every day when you come home from work and you ask me what I do all day?"

"Yes" was his incredulous reply.

She answered, "Well, today I didn't do it."

BubbleBum Booster Seat - portable, foldable, safety approved booster seat

Product Test - Waiheke Trip with the BubbleBum

A trip to Waiheke used to mean we carried at least one large car seat with us on the passenger ferry - the right thing to do to keep our kids safe of course, but what a HASSLE!!!

So it was no struggle for me to instantly see the benefits of the Bubble Bum Booster Seat.  It packs down to absolutely tiny so it fitted into my backpack and once at Matiaia it simply took a few puffs of air to blow it up and away we went!

Miss 6 felt ever so special being in a 'big seat' and I was relaxed in the knowledge that she was in a safety approved seat, with the seat belt straps exactly where they should be in the case of a crash.

It's also handy to have in Mr Belly Beyond's car for the times he picks her up from school and it'll be a must-have item when/if we travel overseas.

Here's the stuff you probably want to know:

Requirements for use: What age should my child be to use a BubbleBum?

A child should meet ALL of the following requirements in order to use ANY booster seat:

• Age between 4 to 11

• Weigh between 15-36 kgs

• Height up to 148cm or when child's ears are above the back of the vehicle seat.

It is recommended that you keep your child in the lowest Group car seat until the maximum weight allowance for that restraint before moving up to the next Group.

•  How much?   $89 from Belly Beyond

Baby Carrier Battle - results

The Belly Beyond Baby Carrier Battle was fierce, but in the end there can only be one winner - or some other such cliche!!

And the winner, as chosen by the Belly Beyond Facebook Fans is .....  (drumroll please)

The ERGObaby Classic Carrier

In fact, it was ERGObaby in first, second, third and fourth - quite the dominating force.  It could well have something to do with the fact that Belly Beyond is the number one retailer in NZ for this very cool range, but the 'Likes' don't lie!

Congratulations also to the Popit Wrap, which was the next favourite carrier after the ERGObaby and also to dulce&zoet Slings, the most popular baby sling in our range.

Top 10:

1. ERGObaby Classic Carrier - that's the Black/Camel, Cranberry or Camel ones
2. ERGObaby Organic Carrier
3. ERGObaby Performance Carrier
4. ERGObaby Sport Carrier
5. Popit Wrap
6. dulce&zoet Sling
7. Natures Sway Carry Wrap
8. Breeze Baby Sling
9. Babybjorn Active Carrier
10. Unido Sling

Winner of the $100 Voucher
When I had the bright idea to hold this competition I thought it would be a breeze to collate the likes and votes and pop the names into Mr Random to choose the winner.

Four hours, 1 crashed spreadsheet,  numerous copy and pastes, even more hand typed names, and a rather frazzled brain later, I finally got all the names of everyone who voted together, removed any duplicates, and established the $100 Voucher winner - here it is and CONGRATULATIONS to Emma!

 

If the screenshot above doesn't show your name but you're keen to know just where you came in the list, ask us on the Facebook page and we'll look it up for you.

Moover Toys - perfect for Christmas

Are you still clearing out all the broken toys from Christmas's past?   

This year, think about treating your little ones to something that they'll be able to pass onto their own kids.

These amazing wooden toys by Moover are every kids (and parents) dream toy. You can ride them, push them, pull them, tow them, and you can also have hours of fun pulling them apart and putting them back together again as a sturdy construction toy. (please note the Dolls Pram comes assembled and does not come apart).

Moover Dolls Pram - Natural or Cherry Red 
(above)

Moover Baby Truck - Natural or Cherry Red

 Moover Dump Truck - Natural or Cherry Red

Moover Walker

If you're already sorted for Christmas (well done girly swots) why not send this link to the Grandparents!

Top 10 Reasons for Babywearing - update

The practice of Babywearing may be as old as human kind but it fits in so well with a busy modern lifestyle. Babywearing is beneficial for baby, it’s good for parents (studies show it lowers the risk of PND) and it’s becoming a way of life for an increasing number of Kiwi families.

The term Babywearing is simply the practice of carrying or wearing your baby in a carrier and more and more parents are cottoning on to how much easier life is - their babies cry less, are more content and enjoy being included in family life. Babywearing is not about having your child attached to you 24 hours a day but modern instinctive parenting which is mostly common sense.

Babies of all ages thrive on cuddles and attention. How many times have you tried to put your little one down only to have them cry to be picked back up? Babywearing skips that whole yo-yo process – by putting them in the carrier with you, the child receives the close cuddle and interaction they need and you are hands-free and able to get on with things.

A baby sling was my very first purchase for baby when I was about 13 weeks pregnant. The thought of being hands-free while carrying my baby appealed to my practical nature and I liked the fabrics and the simplicity. Little did I know it would become a way of life and the catalyst of a business specialising in the best baby carriers on the market.

Slings are very versatile and can be used from newborn right up to 2 years + When my son was a newborn I could breastfeed in public and no one else was any wiser that I even had a little one with me. As he grew, he happily sat on my hip and would charm all who met him – he loved being up on their level rather than sitting in a pram at bum height! When he was too heavy to carry comfortably in the sling for long period of time I swapped to the ERGOBaby Carrier. The Ergo can be used from newborn to 3+ and can be worn in front, hip or back carry. One of my favourite things about the Ergo is the ability to swap from back to front carry – means I can breastfeed on the go which is handy when chasing around after a pre-schooler! So here are my top 10.

10 Reasons to Babywear

1. Baby is happy. Their natural need to be close to you is met and happy baby = happy Mama
2. You are hands-free. Life doesn’t have to stop because baby needs a cuddle (this is especially meaningful when you have more than one child!)
3. Baby can sleep anywhere or on anyone in the right carrier
4. Perfect for ‘the witching hour’
5. Correct anatomical positioning for baby's precious hips and spine
6. Breastfeeding is easy and it’s private
7. Freedom to go wherever you wish - you won’t be hindered by, or even need, a pram
8. Great for colicky or reflux babies. Upright is a perfect position to keep nasty stomach acid down where it should be.
9. Babywearing is a great way for Dads to bond with baby
10. Perfect for travel - you might be allowed to take your pram to the Departure Gate but it's usually not allowed on the plane. Using a carrier means your hands are free to carry your hand luggage onto the plane - particularly valuable when travelling with little ones by yourself! 

Belly Beyond has a large range of carriers available so you are bound to find the perfect carrier for you. Don't forget many families have more than one carrier!  If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask our experienced team.

Baby Slings

• dulce&zoet 
• Breeze Baby 
• Peanut Shell  
• Unido 
• Natures Sway  

Soft Structured Carriers 

•  ERGObaby Classic 
•  ERGObaby Sport  
• ERGObaby Performance 
• ERGObaby Organic Range
•  ERGObaby Petunia Pickle Bottom Range  

Wrap Style Carriers

• Popit 
• Natures Sway  

Front Packs  

• Babybjorn

Belly Beyond in Little Treasures Oct/Nov 2011

If you've picked up a copy of the latest Little Treasures you might have spotted some of the best selling Belly Beyond products in the Pregnancy Survival Guide Lift out.

Their top picks for pregnancy are:

Belly Bands - you can use Belly Bands with your own clothes.  They bridge the gap between your pants/skirt/jeans and top as your belly grows, create a funky layered look, and offer a little support for your growing belly.  After baby they provide belly cover whilst breastfeeding.

Tummy Ties - a popular purchase alongside the Belly Bands, Tummy Ties will transform your normal wardrobe into a maternity wardrobe and not forgetting that no one shrinks back to their original size right away, so they're great for after you've given birth too.

Womama Birthing Wrap  - available in either basic black or ocean blue this is such a versatile dress for during pregnancy, labour and so quick and easy to throw on in those months after the birth.

Skip Hop Versa Nappy Bag  - one of the stars of the Belly Beyond stand at the recent Parent & Child Show, the Versa bag by Skip Hop is the bag to get if you are keen on a handbag size but want the flexibility an expanding nappy bag can give you.

Organic Breast Pads  - NZ made and organic to boot, the new Nudey Rudey Breast Pads are pretty and practical - the cute quote on the packaging sums it up "For a short time at least, you'll hang up your Little Black Dress, box up your killer heels, records or golf clubs and experience more highs and lows than you could have imagined but the demands of parenthood don't mean you have to give away superior design and technical brilliance altogether."

Lots more goodies available to buy online at Belly Beyond

Belly Beyond Messy Bed Competition

Thanks for all your entries in our Cosy Grip competition!

STAY TUNED FOR OUR BABYWEARING WEEK COMPETITION!

It was supposed to be only three winners, but we couldn't narrow it down any further than four so congratulations to our winners!  Here are the winning photos.  A set of Cosy Grips will be on their way to each of your houses to solve your "Tornado Kids" blanket issues :)

   

Winners:  Rachel W, Maricris W, Ruth H, Sarah L.