Monday, December 27, 2010

Ring in 2011 with 11% off Your Order!

Now is a fantastic time to save on your favorite baby essentials! Until 1/11/11 get 11% your order by using promo code: happy2011 at www.babymeetworld.com. You can use the promo on Tummy Tub, natural sponges, Tummy Tub stools, or the new Snuggledry towels which will be shipping very soon!

Happy New Year!!

Friday, December 24, 2010

Christmas Wishes!

Wishing you and your family a safe and happy holiday season filled with special memories!

Friday, December 17, 2010

Happy Holidays for Baby & You!

With all the shopping, traveling, sugary treats, lights, and sounds, babies can easily get stressed during the holidays. As you are out and about trying to create the perfect first Christmas (or second, third) for your baby, try not to forget her need for security and quiet time with you. Keeping a regular nighttime routine during the holidays is a great way to keep the stress level down. If you find your baby is overwhelmed by visitors or tired of being in the car, a daytime bath might be soothing and calming, while encouraging a nap! Tummy Tub is easily transportable and if your child is used to this way of bathing, it's a good idea to take it along for trips to grandma's house. This also provides a great photo op! In addition, newborns also appreciate being close to mom or dad in a sling and swaddling.

Submissions are due for the Happy Baby Video Contest on December 30th and voting will be the first of year. Read more about the contest here.

If you haven't yet checked out the Snuggledry Towel, be sure to consider placing a pre-order this month to receive an additional 10% off (code SNUGGLEDRY1111).

We at Baby Meet World wish you and your babies the very best Christmas ever! Take lots of pictures and videos!

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Be One of the First to Own a Snuggledry & Save! Discount Offer

If you are looking for a unique, luxurious, one-of-a-kind baby gift, then look no further. Having received many awards including the acclaimed UK Nursery Industry Award for 'Must Have' Product of the Year, Snuggledry® is a cleverly designed, high quality, hands-free bath towel for babies and toddlers. Snuggledry attaches to the parent like an apron, so both hands are free to lift, cuddle, and dry the baby at the same time. What a fantastic idea!

Have a new baby in your life and want to give them the best? Then be sure to place a pre-order for Snuggledry today and be one of the first Americans to own the best baby towel available! Ordering now will ensure that we do not run out before yours is shipped!

SPECIAL DISCOUNT: Place your pre-order today and receive 10% off with promo code SNUGGLEDRY1111 at checkout! Offer good in December only, orders will ship in early January and will not be charged until that time. More information here!

Friday, December 3, 2010

Ingenious Snuggledry Apron Towel- New in the US!

The Original Snuggledry® baby bathing apron

As seen on BBC Dragons’ Den and BBC Breakfast

The hugely popular Cuddledry Apron Towel from the UK is now available to American customers under the name Snuggledry. We are so excited to be able to distribute this "fantastically simple, yet brilliant product" that so many parents from around the world adore! For a product that has only existed for 3 years, its amazing to hear that one in every 20 UK babies now has a Cuddledry. We imagine it is the sheer simplicity of the Cuddledry which makes it a winner – it really does just makes life with a new baby easier. It is a gorgeously soft (organic cotton and bamboo) baby towel you wear like an apron, leaving both hands free to bath, lift and wrap your baby – eliminating that stressful juggling act of trying to get a slippy wet baby into a towel when you only have one pair of hands!

Features

  • Apron-style - keeps hands free for bathing and lifting and keeps you dry

  • Organic unbleached cotton and natural bamboo fiber

  • Silky soft, highly absorbent and fast drying

  • Unique double-layer system with hood - draws water away from baby's skin and hair

  • Long and luxurious - cocoons and cuddles baby quickly dry

  • Safe and secure - makes bathing a stress-free, natural, bonding time

  • Recognized by the Child Accident Prevention Trust as ‘contributing to safer parenting’. All packaging bears the logo of this highly respected charity.

  • Current winner of “Must Have” nursery product of the year. Winner of ten other awards including Practical Parenting Best Buy and FQ Top Gear for Dads Award.

  • Snag free towelling helps the fabric retain its quality and prevents tiny toes and fingers getting caught.

  • Available in four colors – oatmeal, natural white, soft pink and soft blue. All fibers are unbleached and colored using natural dyes.

  • Used by celebrities, tens of thousands of parents, and recommended by midwives and maternity nurses worldwide.
Snuggledry will begin shipping to customers in early January...place your pre-order now! If interested in wholesale for your store, please contact us.

Monday, November 29, 2010

CYBER MONDAY SALE -- 20% OFF

If you are interested in a Tummy Tub, but have been waiting for a great deal....now is your chance! Head on over to Bathed With Love and use Promo Code : CYBERMONDAY at checkout for 20% your entire order. They have great bath gifts for babies and other gifts like Pillow Pets and bath toys for toddlers and young children. Sale lasts until December 1st!

Thursday, November 18, 2010

In Their Own Words....Why Parents Choose Tummy Tub

Out of the sea of bathing options available for infants today, Tummy Tub stands out by keeping babies upright and covered by warm water. No other tub revolutionizes the entire concept of bathing from being flat, uncomfortable, and cold on their backs to warm, calm, and happy in fetal position. We have received hundreds of great testimonials from parents and the repeated praise is that Tummy Tub soothes, relaxes, and makes bath time enjoyable for everyone.

Read what real moms and dads have to say about using the Tummy Tub!

I have both the tub and the stool and LOVE it so much! My son who is now almost 9 weeks calms down instantaneously when he's in it (and loves to spash and play). Also, when he has a tummy ache, it's a miracle cure! The stool is great too because it holds all his bath supplies and personally I think it look really cute in our bathroom. I can't wait for him to be able to use the stool for hand washing and teeth brushing later on! By far one of the best baby items I got (clearly I could go on about the Tummy Tub for hours)! Paula N.

Our son, Charles, has bathed in the tummy tub exclusively since birth. I love this tub for 3 reasons: 1st, Charles stays nice and warm during bath time because he's immersed in the water right below his shoulders and 2nd, it is sooo “green.” 3rd, its compact so it doesn't take up counter space. The proof is in the tub: video! Jennifer R.

We first used the Tummy Tub on New Year's Eve. Our little girl was so over stimulated from being around extended family that she was almost inconsolable. My brother sent over his son's Tummy Tub and we tried it. MAGIC!! She loved it. Elizabeth D.

I heard about the Tummy Tub from a friend and decided to get one for our 8 week old daughter. We had been giving sponge baths but this looked much better. The first night we used it, our daughter Sabina loved it. It definitely is not a bucket, it has a unique contour that gives it a strong center of gravity and hugs the baby. It is environmentally friendly since it uses a perfect amount of water each time. Baby is submerged and really likes the sensation of being surrounded by warm water. When our daughter is agitated in the evening and sometimes in the afternoon, we give her a ten minute bath for attitude adjustment and everybody is happy. I would highly recommend Tummy Tub to any parent. Michael M.

After struggling with bath time, we were introduced to the TummyTub. What a fantastic blessing for parents and babies! When we used the TummyTub with our newest baby, she was calm and seemed to know she was safe. We've had the same experience every time afterward. Babies are little for such a short time. It makes me happy, as a mother, to discover anything I can to make babyhood gentle, safe and happy for my children. TummyTub is one of those ways. Katharine M.

My son LOVES his Tummy Tub. We bought it when he was 9 weeks old and in the throes of a colic nightmare. It soothed him like nothing other, and still relaxes him before bed. Loretta L.

I bought a Tummy Tub this week. My 5 week old doesn't like the bath that much, but as soon as I put him in the Tummy Tub he became docile, almost sleeping in it. I love Tummy Tub and it is probably my best buy! Diane L.

Jasper loved his daily TummyTub from the time we left the hospital (I’ll be taking it with me to the hospital if there is a next time). The content look that fell over his face once I placed him into the tub was amazing! It settled him so much, it was the integral part of our bedtime routine. I also believe that it aided in getting rid of gas and preventing colic. I must admit at times it could have resembled a bubble bath! There was another massive plus for me in using the TummyTub. Jasper was / is a wriggle worm and feed times often resembled a weird form of baby yoga… but after a bath in his tub he was so relaxed he had the best feed of the day, and I knew at bed time I had one content little man! Cassie mom of 2

The other night Emma was screaming and I'm sure it was due to her reflux but I couldn't get her to stop. She was crying off and on for a good hour or so and I ran out of options to calm her and then I remembered I had the TummyTub so I got my husband to go grab it for me and of course as soon as I stuck Emma in there she stopped crying! I let her play in there for about an hour (crazy long I know!) but she just seemed so peaceful and I got to watch the rest of my show on TV! A win win situation for sure! As soon as I took her out she fell right to sleep! Our TummyTub is a lifesaver! I'm sure it is one of our most valuable possessions in our home to us! I would pay double the amount for it just for the peace it brings us alone! Kim H. from NJ

Plenty more testimonials on our website!

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

In Their Own Words....Why Birth Professionals Endorse the Tummy Tub

Midwives, doctors, nurses, doulas, and other professionals in the birth industry love the Tummy Tub! In the Netherlands and Germany, it is seen as such a benefit to new babies that health insurance covers the cost! Almost all newborns in these countries are bathed in the Tummy Tub shortly after birth. More recently, the Tummy Tub has grown in popularity in American birthing centers, hospitals, and private practices. Read why these healthcare professional endorse the original upright baby tub!

Traditional bathing procedures can threaten a young infant's security. Then baby screams and the bather becomes tense and uncomfortable, too. The Tummy Tub actually relaxes baby because of the way it supports and contains baby in a flexed position- something familiar from the womb. Baby is calm and so is the bather. Bath time can be a soothing ritual that enhances bonding instead of a battle. Dr. William Sears, M.D. & Martha Sears, R.N.

As a mother and a certified nurse midwife, I have nothing but positive things to say about our experience with the Tummy Tub. I highly recommend it to my clients, friends, and colleagues. I really hope it sparks a revolution in infant care products. More products should be designed to promote family comfort, peace, and bonding as is the case with the Tummy Tub and 2-Step Stool. Bath time is no longer a stressful, back breaking chore to get through. Instead it is a healthy, warm, loving interaction between parent and child. I am very impressed with the Tummy Tub and 2-Step stool's ease of use, functionality, and design which captures the wisdom of the mother's womb; inspired by divine creation. Video & read full testimonial here. Jannah Alaoui CNM, MSN, Barakah Midwifery in San Jose, CA

As a birth and postpartum doula and apprentice midwife, I have been enthusiastically recommending Tummy Tub to my clients and other couples I work with! It is always a pleasure to see fussy new babies calm and settle themselves as they settle comfortably into a deep, soothing warm bath that is so similar to the womb environment they recently left. My babysitter bathes her 6 month old son in my demo tummy Tub quite often, as well, and although a very substantial little fellow, he still fits beautifully and enjoys his baths immensely. My clients who use the Tummy Tub tell me they can't imagine how anyone does without one, and I'm glad they have such a useful tool to help them in the early months of parenting. I look forward to seeing these babies transition to using the base as a step stool in the years to come when they are too big for the tub and too small to reach the sink without help. What a wonderful invention! Heidi Horner, CD (DONA) Motherwit Doula & Postpartum Services Fredericksburg, VA

The TummyTub is a marvelous product. As a doula, childbirth educator, and lactation educator, and midwife's assistant, I have the privilege of working with a lot of new parents. One of the most important things I can teach them is how to calm their baby down. As soon as I got to try out the TummyTub for myself, I knew it was special. Unlike other baby bathtubs, the TummyTub allows the baby to be in an upright, womb-like posture, which combined with the warm water helps to relax a crying baby and alleviate gas and colicky pain. I am excited to share the TummyTub with my clients. I can't think of a better way to welcome a new baby and gently ease her entry into the world. Robin Gray-Reed, CD, HBCE BirthShadow Doula Services Santa Barbara, CA

Hello, my name is Brianna Penny. I am a certified birth and postpartum doula, lactation and infant massage educator, and a licensed massage therapist. I have tried your product, and as a professional, I wouldloveto be able to provide my clients with literature and samples. As you know, being a new parent and sifting through all the product options can be overwhelming. I find that as a doula, it is my responsibility to assist and guide my birth parents to safe, effective, and quality products. Your products are simply that-safe, effective, and high quality. Thank you once again, and keep up the phenomenal work servicing the community! Brianna Penney, CD, CPD, CHBE, CAN, IME, LMT Birth, Postpartum Doula & Massage Services Port St. Lucie, Florida

We have been putting our babies in the tub shortly after birth for the last 11 years (my first tester was my nephew) and then they take the tub home to use up to the first year of life. Even my doctor colleagues have the nurses put the babies in the tub right away. We don't treat the cords with alcohol or blue triple dye and even with getting the cord wet daily and even several times a day we have never had an umbilical cord infection and the cords dry up and fall off earlier than the cords that we're treated. There is known to be a natural anti-infection property in the cord that does not require any treatment. We also put boys in the tub after the circ and have not had any problems. Twice a year we have "Bootie Camp" and have a live demo on how to use the tub and then we encourage the Dad to practice before discharge. Lila, CNM from Ilinois

Tummy Tub is a great idea. Most of all I like that baby is upright and I can fill it enough with water to keep baby warm in the bath. The tubs that lie back make me so sad because baby has to be cold during bath time or bath time has to be quicker so to avoid making baby chilly. This is a GREAT solution for keeping baby happy and warm! Thanks again so much for your contribution to my classes and my work. I can safely say that moms are excited to get their hands on the tummy tub as we play bath time in class! Lauren Metelski Birth Doula (DONA) Childbirth Educator Lexington, KY

More testimonials from professionals here!

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Clear Tummy Tubs are now $29.99!!!

All new Clear Tummy Tubs now feature updated packaging and a fantastic new price tag! We listened to customer feedback over the past year and endeavored to make the Tummy Tub more affordable for new parents. At $29.99 there is no reason not to buy the original upright baby bath tub! Other new features include a helpful booklet for parents on baby bathing and a cd-rom with videos showing the Tummy Tub in action. Tummy Tub meets the new safety requirements set forth by the ASTM, continues to win awards, and is being established as part of the newborn bath routine in many hospitals and birthing centers around the country. If you haven't tried the Tummy Tub yet....what are you waiting for? Stop by your local baby store or buy online and experience the joy of natural bathing with your baby!

Friday, October 29, 2010

Natural Sponges - Most Gentle Way to Clean Babies!

Eco-Friendly & Natural. The Sea Sponge is a renewable natural resource. While harvesting, divers are careful to ensure that the base of the sponge remains intact. This puts into motion its natural reproduction. The sponge then will re-grow within a few years, often bigger and healthier than its original state. Studies show that areas harvested actually increase the population density of sponges. Additionally, the sponges have amazing regenerative powers as the natural process of the tide and currents will pick up sponges and they will re-grow in new locations.

Local. The Sea Silk Sponges are harvested from Florida's Gulf Coast by local spongers. Over 90% of the world’s natural sea sponges come from this area, which is only a short drive from our company headquarters! This large industry keeps local workers employed as opposed to a high producing factory overseas. The sponges are not only natural and renewable, but American as well!

Quality & Safety. Used since ancient times, the superiority of the Natural Sea Sponge is unmatched. Sea sponges are highly absorbent, create a luxurious lather, are softly textured, and are suitable for the most sensitive of skin. Natural sponges are more durable and last longer than synthetic sponges because they are more resistant to abrasion. They have been known to last as long as 8 years! Synthetic sponges will only last a very short time before they start falling apart and getting covered with mildew and bacteria. Natural sea sponges actually have enzymes in them that inhibit the growth of mold, mildew, and bacteria. Yet, they are toxin-free and hypo-allergenic. In addition, natural sea sponges are better for bathing and cleaning because they soak up and hold more water without dripping. Sea sponges are self-cleaning through their intricate system of canals. Therefore they wash out more quickly and easily, and will not retain objectionable odors. They are softer, clean better and will not peel like synthetic sponges while being used. Sea sponges offer a safe alternative for washing your child, while surpassing the quality of man-made substitutes.

Best for Babies. The Natural Sea Silk Sponge protects baby’s delicate skin and is suitable for all ages. The sponges have been carefully chosen to be the perfect hand-held size for washing, are as soft as silk when wet, and have a smooth surface. That’s why the experts agree that fine-pored silk sponges are the best choice in natural sponges for infants and young children. These super absorbent sponges make baby bathing easy by eliminating the need for a cup and both hands when rinsing and hair washing. The silk sponge creates a beautiful lather quickly with every type of soap, both liquid and bar.It is sure to become a family favorite because toddlers and children love to wash themselves with the softest sponge on the planet! Adults will find that the silk sponge makes a wonderful facial and cosmetic sponge as well.

Sea sponges are the most natural and healthy way to cleanse and care for the skin! If you have not tried one yet, what are you waiting for? Warning: after using a natural sea sponge, you will want to throw away all of your washcloths!

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Introducing......Steps by tummy tub

Over the next few weeks we want to take some time to introduce you to the new products that will be available soon from tummy tub. One that we are particularly excited about was designed to make each step in life easy, safe, and fun. Steps can be used from birth as a tummy tub stand, then as a potty training seat (stored underneath), a 3 height adjustable step stool, and it comes with a leather cover that converts it into a footrest or little ottoman!

Features:
stable & secure position to raise the tummy tub to a comfortable seated position; 3 different levels to raise your child up as a step-stool; potty seat stores inside for easy accessibility; chair comes with leather like cover to fit any decor.

Steps is all white with a very modern European look and will work with any bathroom. We expect to have it in stock sometime in December and it will retail for $49.99. Be sure to tell your favorite tummy tub retailer to carry Steps!

Monday, October 18, 2010

All New From Tummy Tub!

It has been 15 years since the Original Tummy Tub debuted in Europe and now the brand has expanded to incorporate a number of great new products! We recently had the privilege to show off the new items at the ABC Show in Las Vegas. They received a tremendous response and we look forward to making them available to US retailers & customers in the very near future. We are also excited to distribute the award-winning Cuddledry towel line from the UK (called Snuggledry in the US).

We will be sharing more information about the individual products in upcoming blog posts, and they are available to retailers for preorder now on our site. Stay tuned for details!

Friday, October 15, 2010

Win a Tummy Tub and Other Great Prizes in the Belly Bandit Sweepstakes!

Enter to Win Kourtney Kardashian's Gift Basket!
HOW TO ENTER:

Its simple... Enter as many times as you like to increase your chances of winning. The more we see you out there the better chance you have! All you have to do is...well, do what women do best: talk! We want to hear why you want the Belly Bandit, if you've used it before, if you saw it before, have you heard a story from a friend, did you use it after your last delivery etc. Hey, you feeling uninspired and have nothing else to say, simply say "I love the Belly Bandit®" or place the link to our website on your Facebook updates or Twitter it and you are automatically entered after you send us back an email proof of mention/posting.

Just keep Belly Bandit® in your Facebook status or tweet starting October 8th through October 18th- to win our amazing gift bag! Check out the fabulous products valued at over $1200.00 and ENTER NOW!

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Baby William is our Happy Baby Contest Winner!

William has been bathing in his Tummy Tub every night since he was just a few days old. He gets this big smile on his face every time he gets in! He loves to splash and play in it and never wants to get out! Bath time has become everyone's favorite time of day- we all love to watch him smile and have so much fun! Thanks Tummy Tub!!!

We thank all the participants and voters for making this a great contest! Submissions for the winter video contest are due December 30th. Your baby could be the next winner!

Friday, September 24, 2010

Tummy Tub Makes a Splash at Kind + Jugend Show in Cologne!

After 15 years of proven success with the Tummy Tub, the brand has grown! Tummy Tub proudly unveiled the results of a period of growth by debuting new products and accessories this past week at Kind + Jugend in Cologne, the leading international trade show for the juvenile market.

The new products were very well received and we are looking forward to launching them at the ABC Kids Show in Las Vegas, October 10-13. Retailers are encouraged to visit us at Booth 241 during the show for special packages and pre-orders.

Keep updated on new products by following us on facebook and checking our site for pictures as they become available!

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Tummy Tub Awarded Sweet Pea Baby Planners Favorites Seal of Approval

We are pleased to announce that Tummy Tub has been awarded the highest honor by Sweet Pea Baby Planners- their Favorites Seal of Approval. Tummy Tub was put through a rigorous testing process by moms, babies, and instructors. Safety testing and certifications were also required for consideration. Tummy Tub was chosen based on the following criteria: product that is well designed, meets the needs of growing families, originality, quality, style, innovative, performs as promised, meets/exceeds all safety regulations, and a company operated with integrity.

Tummy Tub was also selected for their Dream Baby Gear classes starting in 2011 in 10 cities across the US.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Let Babies be Babies with the Tummy Tub!

We at Tummy Tub believe that babies should be allowed to develop at their own pace and not be pressured to move quickly on to the next stage. Parents should cherish those fleeting moments of babyhood instead of pushing their child to grow up too soon.

As a mother of 4, I have realized over the years that babies quickly grow into toddlers and they all learn to sit, crawl, stand, walk, and talk at their own pace. Studies show that the first few months after birth is very stressful for newborns. They need the reminder of the womb- this include swaddling, sucking, and being close to mom. Confinement in the womb was comforting to the unborn baby and now, the big wide open world is overwhelming. Soft, comfortable clothes, gentle handling, and easy access to feeding are all important. In a very short time, this helpless newborn will be mobile and there is no need to fear that you are stifling development by recreating the womb experience. On the contrary, this is very natural and beneficial to babies.

Tummy Tub is an age appropriate, gentle transition into baby's next nine months after the womb. Curled in the familiar fetal position and surrounded by warm water, parents show their sensitivity toward their baby's needs by choosing this method of bathing. Instead of rushing through a quick bath, parents are able to turn bath time into a beautiful bonding experience and allow their baby to completely relax and de-stress. Some parents choose to give a quick sponge bath before putting their child in the tub, and this allows for the focus to be on relaxation and not washing. Many newborns fall asleep right in the Tummy Tub!

As babies grow, they do not need to be forced out of the Tummy Tub. It is safe for children up to 35 pounds and many two year olds still enjoy using it. The mimicking of the womb benefits are not applicable after 9 months, but toddlers love having their own personal hot tub. They can sit and stand for washing, take a bath outside on a warm day, or in the shower at the same time as mom or dad! Oftentimes toddlers become afraid of the big tub out of the blue or when they are under the weather, the Tummy Tub is a great calming influence.

As a mom, I shudder when I see a newborn in "big kid" clothes or see babies screaming by being bathed flat on their backs. There is a gentle and more natural way to care for our most precious resources. Thankfully there are a number of baby-friendly gentle products available to parents today. We are proud to say that Tummy Tub lets babies be babies!

Friday, September 3, 2010

Tummy Tub Therapy!

From crying to calm in seconds! The tummy tub® goes beyond just a practical bath tub and provides amazing health benefits for babies suffering from gas and colic, and extra reassurance to premature babies who left the womb too early. The tummy tub® has also been known to help babies and toddlers with special needs and sleeping problems. Covered in warm water in the comfortable fetal position babies are relieved of pain and able to completely relax and de-stress. Used in combination with massage it helps stimulate proper digestion and eliminates gas. Pediatricians in Germany prescribe the tummy tub® for colic symptoms and they are even covered by health insurance! The tummy tub® works wonders during those fussy periods in the evening to calm babies down. It is also the perfect tub for diaper rash soaking and a little peppermint or lavender oil will help clear baby’s sinuses from a cold. It is the ideal way to bathe feverish babies because it keeps the water warm and covering the baby. An older toddler who is sick and not wanting to take a bath will hardly refuse her tummy tub®! Across the globe, infant massage groups utilize the tummy tub® as a relaxing cool down after class! See tummy tub in action here!

Saturday, August 28, 2010

New for Tummy Tub!

There are a number of exciting changes in store for Tummy Tub this fall! First of which is the debut of the new logo. Tummy Tub USA.com has also been updated to give more information to American parents about the incredible benefits of the tub. Click the logo above to check out the newly revised site. We are excited to bring you a whole line of new Tummy Tub products in the coming months!

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Tummy Tub Time Rivals Breastfeeding as Favorite Baby Activity!

The Tummytub can be misunderstood at first sight. My initial reaction was one of skepticism. I thought, “how could a plastic bucket be comforting to a baby”. I was intrigued enough to visit the company’s website at www.tummytubusa.com in order to read further. Upon reading about how the Tummytub’s tapered shape is designed to mimic the shape of the womb and how the snug fit and warm water help the baby to feel secure, I realized this was an ingeniously designed “bucket”. As a certified nurse midwife (CNM) I respect the natural wisdom of women’s bodies, especially the mother’s womb. I know that the shape of the womb and it’s placement within the musculature of the boney pelvis assists in developing the body and psyche of the fetus.Inside the womb, the baby is cradled tightly in warm fluid where she can move weightlessly spinning and stretching. The fetus is also aware of the auditory stimuli from the mother’s body, voice, and the fluid in which it lives. The Tummytub really is the closest a baby can get back to her home in the womb because it provides a similar warm, tight, water filled space where she can be with her parents and listen to the noises of the water.

When I had my third baby in May of 2010, I had not yet heard of the Tummytub. From newborn to six weeks of age I bathed my baby in a mainstream brand flat and long baby bath. As any experienced mother knows, those baths are not easy to use and babies are uncomfortable and cold the whole time. I actually felt guilty giving my newborn a bath because I could see and hear (from his constant crying) how miserable it made him. I tried my best to keep him warm, but with the spread out water surface and huge basin the water cooled very quickly. Bath time was usually a screaming flail and only done out of absolute necessity.

Thank God I discovered the Tummytub! When it arrived I was so excited to try it out that I gave my baby a second bath for the day. He was six weeks old and cried as soon as I undressed him. He was screaming as I eased his little body into the warm water. As soon as his belly hit the water he suddenly stopped crying, his eyes glazed over, and his body visibly relaxed as he entered into a state of “zen”. I called my husband and older children in to witness the baby’s bliss and they were all amazed at his reaction too. He seemed to be transported to a physiologic memory through his present experience in the warm water. Our love affair with the Tummytub has been going strong now for four months. Either my husband or I give the baby a bath in it every single day to provide our baby with the hydrotherapy he so craves. Sometimes he even maintains that “zen” or quiet alert state for 30 - 40 minutes after his bath. We have also used it to successfully eliminate gas pains or “colic”. Our baby has become so relaxed in the Tummytub that he has fallen asleep in it several times! It’s true that our baby smiles and giggles while inside the Tummytub and cries when we take him out. I can honestly say, the Tummytub rivals breast feeding as his favorite activity.

As a mother and a certified nurse midwife, I have nothing but positive things to say about our experience with the Tummytub. I highly recommend it to my clients, friends, and colleagues. I really hope it sparks a revolution in infant care products. More products should be designed to promote family comfort, peace, and bonding as was the case with the Tummytub and the 2-step stool. Bath time is no longer a stressful, back breaking chore to get through. Instead it is a healthy, warm, and loving interaction between parent and child. I am very impressed with the Tummytub and 2-step stool’s ease of use, functionality, and design which captures the wisdom of the mother’s womb; inspired by divine creation.

Jannah Alaoui, CNM, MSN Certified Nurse Midwife

San Jose, CA www.BarakahMidwifery.com

Friday, August 13, 2010

History of the Tummy Tub

The idea for the TummyTub® came from a real-life situation, practicality, and common sense of a young mother, Anita Belderok from the Netherlands. Although the bathing of babies in buckets had been used and endorsed by Dutch midwives and maternity nurses for some time, it had never been introduced commercially. For Dutch midwives and maternity nurses this ‘bucket therapy’ was already common practice, as they had found that newborns were much more comfortable being bathed in a bucket, than in the mini-size version of the adult bath, commonly used since the 1950s for bathing babies.

Most babies have trouble adapting to their new world after being in the mother’s womb for nine months. Noise, bright light, less control of movement due to gravity at full force, hunger, thirst, digestion of food and a sensation of being lost in space without physical support, have to be coped with. This causes a lot of uneasiness for young infants.

Babies calm down easily when put in the TummyTub due to:

  • the resemblance to the mother’s womb in size and warmth
  • the sheltered/filtered environment
  • the support from the walls and bottom
  • the familiar fetal position
  • the smaller water surface also causes the water to stay warmer for longer

The initial idea won ‘Dutch Idea of the year’ in 1993. It was further developed and designed with the help of midwives, nurses, child-psychologists, child-physiotherapists, ob-gyns, and pediatricians in the Netherlands. The basic design won the approval of a panel of experts in the hospital, as it wasn’t only more practical and better for the baby, but also stimulated the bonding between parent and child. It also gave the baby and parents a greater sense of security, as the baby can be seen through the transparent polypropylene. While developing the TummyTub Bath no fewer than 17 different forms of bathing-buckets were tested by midwives and nursery nurses in their daily practice. The first prototypes were discarded by them as either too wide, whereby the babies could not feel the sides therefore were not reassured or were not deep enough to allow the babies to be sufficiently immersed in water to keep warm.

Because of the little water needed in the Tummy Tub®, parents can hold their baby with one hand and use the other to wash their child. Not only is this convenient, but it saves energy as well! Naturally, Tummy Tub® was designed without any sharp edges to harm baby’s skin and made out of the most baby friendly materials. This is the reason why it has passed every safety regulation all over the world and comes out as ‘simply the best’ in every test against competitive products. It has been used by millions of babies in neonatal and maternity wards, as well as homes all over the world!