KidStyleFile

Have you heard about the benefits of baby-wearing? A more settled, healthy baby that sleeps better and so a happier, more well-rested mama are just the start of the benefits.

The Peanut Shell sling is billed as the ultimate functional, funky, fun baby carrier, and it’s easy to see why: it is suitable from birth up to 16kgs, it’s compact, there are no straps, clips, belts or adjustments necessary, making the Peanut Shell fuss-free and easy to use.

The Peanut Shell pouch can be used in a variety of positions including:

- cradle (suitable for newborn breastfeeding)
- tummy-to-tummy
- kangaroo carry (upright facing out)
- hip carry
- back carry

The Peanut Shell is beautifully made in a variety of fabrics to suit different climates - from microfleece to stretch cotton - and the colours and prints are just gorgeous!

To celebrate winter baby-wearing, Babes in Arms - www.babesinarms.com.au - is offering 20% off microfleece Peanut Shells. (No code is needed; prices are already reduced on the site. Offer ends July 31).

Babes in Arms also offer FREE postage within Australia on all baby carriers and accessories on their site.

You can choose from single layer or reversible varieties of Peanut Shell. What’s the difference?

Single layer microfleece is a fabulously luscious lightweight version of fleece that mimics the feel of Cashmere (without the fussiness of care or handling), and is super soft on your baby’s sensitive skin. It feels warmer to the touch than a cotton, but is a breathable fabric and so is suitable for year-round use.

The reversible microfleece sling features one layer of fabric printed a different color on each side for fashion conscious mamas.

Both are just perfect to banish the winter chills.

Lovestruck (choc/pink) Reversible Microfleece Peanut Shell- $89.00 SALE NOW $71.20
Squirt (green) Single Layer Microfleece Peanut Shell - $75.00 SALE NOW $60.00 - That’s Brooke Shields pictured above with her ‘Squirt’ Peanut Shell: you’ll be in good company with this one!

Also, while you’re over at Babes in Arms, check out the reversible cotton varieties. I just love these prints!

Red Yoko 100% cotton Reversible Peanut Shell- $98.00
Retro Blues/Chocolate 100% cotton Reversible Peanut Shell- $98.00

If you’re a fan of the Peanut Shell and you’re looking for a great gift for your own or friend’s children then you should know that Peanut Shell also make a miniature Peanut Shell ($32.00) so the littlies can sling their own doll or ted just like mum or dad. These are unbelievably cool and they also minimise the risk of ted being left behind at the supermarket!

Beside the Peanut Shell, Babes in Arms also sells, ERGO baby carriers, Hug-a-Bub Slings, and Maya Wrap Baby Slings, so there’s something for everyone, and for every baby-wearing need.

Lastly, Babes in Arms also have a great competition running until August 31. No purchase is necessary, so head on over to enter, and go in the draw to win a Microfleece reversible Peanut Shell & a pair of rainbow BabyLegs - yay!

Contact bella mama Anita at Babes in Arms for information on sizing the Peanut Shell and/or to discuss your baby-wearing requirements.

Today, Miki brings you part 2 of her special feature on Decor and Accessories. There are heaps of fab products to delight in here, and some great deals happening, so dive on in! (Read Part 1 of this Special feature here.)

Stay tuned for next weekend’s Special Weekend Feature - Strollers and Prams

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My Munchkin Home
Does your kid’s room need updating? Or even better, are you expecting a new baby and need ideas for the nursery? Well there’s a goldmine of ideas at My Munchkin Home - www.mymunchkinhome.com.au.

Perfect for kids’ bedroom doors (or walls or even windows) are the personalised name decals - after all, don’t all kids love to have their name on their bedroom door? Or you could combine the name with one of the big wall decals, like the bunting or the circus tent.

The ‘scatter’ decals, such as the butterflies and the fighter jets are also a brilliant idea, because not only do they look fantastic, but the kids can help decorate the room with them too. Let your (and their) imagination run wild!

My friend Marisa is expecting her first baby at the start of August and she has decorated her nursery with the completely adorable dancing elephants in mint green (so no clues for me as to the sex of her baby, hmph) and the ‘sweet dreams’ decal - so, so cute!

Clockwise from top left:
Sweet Dreams, $29.95
Princess Castle, $129.95
Pirate Ship, $159.95
Dancing Elephants, $34.95

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Kinder Kaboodle
It’s a well known fact that we at KSF LOVE Penny Scallan. Well, who doesn’t?!

Luckily for us, Kinder Kaboodle www.kinderkaboodle.com.au have a plentiful supply of Penny Scallan for us to drool over - lunch bags, art smocks, hats, library bags, gumboots… ooh, I could go on and on and ON, but instead I’ll stop teasing you and give you a link straight to Kinder Kaboodle’s massive Penny Scallan range.

In actual fact, there is so much to choose from and such a huge variety of brands at Kinder Kaboodle that I could never hope to do it all justice.

Everything your kid could possibly need for kinder or school is there, and it’s all gorgeous and stylish and practical, and oh: I want it all!

Just to draw your attention to a couple of products that made me giggle though, have a look at the Western Chief umbrella and backpack pictured below - wouldn’t that just get you grinning at the start of every day?

And the inflatable Fruity Faces fruit holders are just so cool. Don’t be fooled into thinking they’re only for kids either - one of my former colleagues used to frequently bring a banana to work safely encased in its Fruity Faces case. Made for some hilarious conversations around the lunch table, let me tell you!

Get yourself 15% off store-wide at Kinder Kaboodle with the My Child or Australia Parents magazine codes. Find out more here.

Clockwise from top left:
Western Chief backpack, $32.95 $24.95; and umbrella $19.95 $15.95
Penny Scallan daisy art smock, $29.95
Fruity Faces - Mengi Fruit Carrying Case, $9.95, and Fenne Fruit Carrying Case, $9.95
Penny Scallan apple lunch bag, $34.95

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Babes In Arms
Baby wearing is becoming a big thing in our part of the world nowadays. Keeping your baby close to your chest is known to help soothe fussy, colicky babies, and it makes older babies and toddlers feel more secure and content. Besides which, it’s just so darn convenient for the parents! Your bub is snugly hugged in to you and both your hands are free to get on with what you need to do.

Babes In Arms - www.babesinarms.com.au - carry some of the best names in baby carriers and slings on the planet.

As Angela pointed out earlier in the week, the ERGO is very much in favour in Hollywood at the moment, and when you look at the design features it’s easy to see why. It can be worn on your front, your hip or your back, can take premmies right through to hefty 18kg toddlers and is designed to support the baby’s physical development and make the baby feel lighter for the parent!

And if that wasn’t enough to pursuade you, Babes In Arms have 10% off the ERGO until the 31st of May!

Another option for baby wearing is a sling, and the Peanut Shell is one of the funkiest out there. With no fewer than seventeen colour/print options you’ll be spoilt for choice, and the simple design is a breeze to use. The other great thing about a sling is that it’s easy to breastfeed discretely in public while wearing one!

Babes In Arms also stock the ever-popular Hug-a-Bub and the Maya wrap, plus the innovative reversible Papoose coat (see pic below) and the extremely nifty Little Monkey Mirror! And one final note - Babes In Arms include free Express Post delivery with all items!

Left to right:
Papoose Coat, $240 $170
Peanut Shell (shown in ‘royalty’ 100% cotton reversible fabric), $98.00
ERGO baby carrier, $143.10

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5 Little Monkeys
5 Little Monkeys - www.5littlemonkeys.com.au - is always a favourite of mine, but that goes double for when we’re talking about decor for kids’ rooms. The products here are great - funky, a bit different, well designed and cater to a wide range of tastes.

To start with, have a look at the big range of the Cocoon Couture beanbags. I love them!!

Not only do they look great, but the covers are machine washable while the beans stay intact in their internal safety lining, which means they will keep on looking great.

Other gorgeous products here are the Tiger Tribe mobiles for the nursery - again, a big range to choose from but I love the cupcakes (pictured below) for a little girl.

Tiger Tribe also have rather gorgeous magnets, just the thing for sticking your little darling’s artwork to the fridge.

And lastly, the IKABOO Mini-Glow nightlights will bring a smile to anyone’s face especially as they’re discounted too!

5 Little Monkeys are offering 20% off EVERYTHING (including sale items) PLUS a FREE pressie exclusively for KidStyleFile readers, until Monday 26 May, so race on over!! Enter KSF5LM at checkout to receive this incredible discount.

Clockwise from top left:
Tiger Tribe cupcake hanging mobile, $29.95
IKABOO Mini-Glow nightlight, $39.95 $35.95
Cocoon Couture Sleepy Owl beanbag, $140 $125.00
Tiger Tribe Flowers magnet set, $9.95

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Please check individual sites for postage details.

A very special offer today for those of you hanging out for an ERGO Baby carrier cheaper than recommended retail price.

Get 10% off the Ergo baby carrier - widely considered to be the best multi-purpose baby carrier in the market - from Babes in Arms - www.babesinarms.com.au.

Babes in Arms offers FREE postage within Australia on all baby carriers and accessories on their site.

No code is needed; prices are already reduced on the site. Offer ends May 31.

Babes in Arms also have a great competition running until May 31. No purchase is necessary, so head on over to enter, and go in the draw to win a Microfleece reversible Peanut Shell & a pair of rainbow BabyLegs - yay!

The ERGO carrier has a long usage lifespan, accommodating babes from premmie to preschooler age. It offers three easy-to-use seating positions, which grow with your child’s needs. Enjoy the versatility of carrying your babe on your back, front or hip with a maximum weight limit of 18kgs.

ERGO offers continued support when a baby sling or front carrier is no longer comfortable. It is lighter and more secure than a hard-frame baby back-pack. The ergonomic design supports a correct sitting position for baby’s physical development and eliminates compression on baby’s spine - very reassuring information!

Now, I haven’t actually used the ERGO - having twins, I was kind of stumped on the carrier front. If I had known about the ERGO baby carrier back then, oh how much easier my life would have been: the ERGO is so multi-functional, you can actually wear one on each side to accommodate two bebes!!

So many of my mama friends have used the ERGO (and Keri Russell seems to wear hers constantly!! Every time I head on over to Celebrity Baby Blog, there she is, wearing her ERGO!), and they extol the virtues constantly, the comfort factor and the adaptability of the ERGO being the positive comments that I hear again and again.

The ERGO comes in Black, Camel, Cranberry, Indigo and Organic Denim. Prices start at $143.10, and the full range of product accessories (ERGO infant insert, suck pads, tote bag, front puoch, back packs, waist extender and papoose coat) are also available.

Beside the ERGO, Babes in Arms also sells, Hug-a-Bub Slings, Maya Wrap Baby Slings, and Peanut Shell Baby Carriers, so there’s something for everyone, and for every baby-wearing need.

Contact bella mama Anita at Babes in Arms to have a chat about the best product for your needs.

Please note: To carry baby from newborn to 4 months old, an ERGO Infant Insert is needed. Once your baby has developed good head control, the Infant Insert is no longer needed and baby may then be placed in the front carry position. Once the baby has developed torso control, usually around 5 months old, she or he may be placed in either the hip or back carry position.