Hollywood Moms Adore Unique Baby Gifts & Designer Rooms

ATLANTA, GA – May 10, 2012 – KooKoo Bear Kids, an online, catalog, and retail store marketer of designer kids’ rooms and exceptional gifts, announces that Hollywood star Hillary Duff received numerous gift items from KooKoo Bear Kids in a gift basket. Hilary Duff and husband Mike Comrie welcomed Baby Luca Cruz on March 20.

“Celebrities love to pamper their new arrivals with designer baby items and gifts like we offer at KooKoo Bear Kids,” said Tara Mediate, president of KooKoo Bear Kids and mother of three. “We make gift giving easy with ultra posh baby collections from top designers and personalized gifts that become heirlooms.”

KooKoo Bear Kids gifted Hilary Duff and hubby with a blue Keepsake Bucket filled with an ultra soft chenille blanket in cream by Little Giraffe that’s guaranteed to keep the new baby warm. Luca has an animal themed nursery, so KooKoo Bear added to the bucket a Lil’ Tiggles green frog ring rattle, a brown puppy snuggle friend blanket, and a funky Caden Lane bib in a unique print that is perfect for the new little trend setter – deep blues, greens, purples, oranges, pinks and whites make up these mosaic designs.

Hilary Duff starred in the #1 hit Disney Channel series Lizzie McGuire and appeared as Olivia Burke in the TV show Gossip Girl. Her film credits include A Cinderella Story and Cheaper by the Dozen 1 and 2.

About KooKooBearKids.com
KooKoo Bear Kids offers designer kids’ rooms and exceptional gifts for children and new mothers, available via the web site, catalog, or retail store. From themed beds with matching bedding of fresh colors and designer fabrics to timeless classics like quilts with hand applied beadwork and embroidery, KooKoo Bear Kids offers hundreds of rugs, curtains, blankets, bedding, and furniture for a totally custom look. In 2010, KooKoo Bear Kids was named a Retail Star by Kids Today magazine. Find out more about the complete range of products at http://www.kookoobearkids.com.

Jane Kitchen — Kids Today
LOS ANGELES — CBS’s national daytime program “The Talk” aired a special Million Dollar Baby Shower last week, just three days after the birth of co-host Sharon Osbourne’s first grandchild, with with a series of mom-oriented giveaways. The studio audience was comprised entirely of pregnant women, all of whom received the products featured on the show.

Youth furniture manufacturer Young America gifted 250 of its cribs to the expectant audience, who cheered in delight while a Young America Mix Built to Grow crib was brought onto the stage and co-host Julie Chen described the first and largest gift featured on the program, highlighting the fact that it is American made, available in more than 1,000 color combinations, and Built to Grow.

The program also showcased a Young America Mix stationary crib, dresser and changing station, provided by area retailer Juvenile Shop, in an on-stage nursery vignette that decorated the show’s set.

“We view our participation in The Talk as a unique way to educate the show’s more than 2 million dedicated viewers — most of whom are women — about Young America furniture and the exceptional benefits that accompany a Young America purchase,” said Stanley Furniture Company Director of Marketing Neil MacKenzie. “We’re giving these moms the crib of their choice so they may create a custom look for their child’s nursery, and ideally they will purchase additional Young America furniture pieces to match their new crib. In fact, we’ve asked that gift recipients order their cribs through their local Young America Signature Shop, so they can become familiar with the wide array of products we offer and establish a relationship with the Signature Shop retailer in their area.”

Because many members of The Talk’s studio audience live near Los Angeles, Young America has directed local crib recipients to contact the Juvenile Shop, the area’s local Young America Signature Shop, in Sherman Oaks, Calif., to place their crib orders.

Other California Signature Shops, such as Children’s Land in San Diego, Home Expressions in Fountain Valley, Fedde Furniture in Pasadena and House of Values in Santa Mateo also are supporting the effort. Audience members that do not reside in Los Angeles were instructed to visit Young America’s website or to call the Young America customer service line to be connected to the Signature Shop that is closest to their home.

Other giveaways were from Safety First, The First Years, Dr. Brown’s, Quick Smart, Pampers, Mustela, Snugli, The Children’s Place, Live Clean Baby, Petunia Picklebottom, Isabelle Grace jewelry, Swaddle Designs, Oopsy Daisy, Balboa Baby, Posh Tots and Graco.

There is a temptation to want to relax after having your baby. After all, it was a trying nine months and they don’t call it labor for nothing! But when should you really take your new baby out into the world? People used to be afraid to take their newborns out right away, thinking that they would be exposed to far too much too soon. Ironically, it is this exposure that makes them stronger and more inquisitive. Today’s thinking is very much the opposite of what your grandmother practiced in her day.

As soon as you are able, it is best to get out and get active with your baby. They want to explore this big place that they’ve been born into, and getting active again will help you feel better too. Getting out into the world can be the best way to fight the post baby blues. You exercise, you shed some of your own “baby phat”, and you get to show off your newest family member. What could be better than that?

While exercise is important and getting your baby out will help them explore their world, there are some things that should be avoided with your newborn. While jogging or running may be your idea of heaven, for your newborn, it can be a very dangerous thing. The simple act of jogging or running bounces your newborn around too much, even if they are secured in their car seat or on a smooth track. Jogging or running with with a newborn is similar to shaking a baby and the consequences can be just as deadly. This is why jogging stroller manufacturers don’t recommend doing this kind of activity until a baby is eight to nine months old. The possibility of an accident with the stroller also is far more serious with a newborn than with a toddler.

If jogging or running is out, walking is definitely in! Many jogging strollers today have the option of a swiveling front wheel for when you are not jogging. This option makes them an ideal stroller for getting out and walking anywhere. They will handle the rough surfaces while at the same time feeling like they glide over a paved track. Some joggers, like the Baby Jogger Summit XC and Mountain Buggy Terrain, offer a bassinet option for a newborn. This lets you keep your baby in the preferred flat position, rather than being always in the car seat. This flat position is more comfortable for your newborn, aids in their breathing, and reduces flat head syndrome. A child who is lain flat predominantly has been shown to be 30 percent healthier than one who is kept predominantly in the car seat. So when they are in the car, keep them in that seat, but when they our out and about, let them lay flat.

There used to be a worry that your newborn would be exposed to things that are not so nice in the world, bug bites, the sun, and a poorer air quality. This is why so many years ago they said not to take your baby anywhere for the first three months. Yet, here’s the big news flash…your baby has already been out in the world! You brought them home from the hospital right? The reality is that the air quality is better outside than in the home and as your baby gets exposed to the outside world, their immune system grows stronger. A little sunscreen or the use of a sun and bug shield for your stroller bassinet or car seat works to prevent bug bites and overexposure to the sun. As Dora from Finding Nemo says, “If you never let anything happen to them…then nothing will ever happen to them..” The world is theirs to explore and discover, letting them do so in a safe manner only increases their fascination with it.

Remember that your baby is seeing the world for the first time and things that we take for granted are the greatest of mysteries to their eyes. A leaf falling from a tree or just the activity of the day are fascinating to them. Getting them out into the world exposes them to just how amazing a place our world is. It might also remind us of the many things we take for granted and overlook.

Event Benefits Educational & Charitable Organizations

ATLANTA, GA – May 3, 2012 – KooKoo Bear Kids, an online, catalog, and retail store marketer of designer kids’ rooms and exceptional gifts, announces the company is providing three designer kids’ rooms for the Roswell Women’s Club Designer Showcase Home Tour. KooKoo Bear Kids designed two boys’ rooms (4 year & 8 years) and a teenage girl’s room using inspiration from rustic and old world themes, keeping the color palettes simple. Megan Meloy, Design Specialist, and Tara Mediate, president of KooKoo Bear Kids, expertly designed room numbers 11, 19, 26, 27, and 28 in the show house.

“This is the third time we’ve been involved in the Roswell Women’s Club Showcase Home Tour and we are very excited to do it again,” said Tara Mediate, president and co-founder of KooKoo Bear Kids. “Our design services team has skillfully designed three remarkable rooms that mirror the distinctive style and taste of each child, while meeting the needs of the Wohler family.”

One boy’s room has a fishing theme, so SmartStuff Roughhouse furniture was the perfect choice, with its Rustic Cherry finish on cheery veneers, and exaggerated bun feet, tops, and posts and sturdy antique bronze bale pulls. Fish decorated bedding and duvet cover with faux leather shams go perfectly with the custom window treatments in the room and bathroom. The vintage touches in the lamps, wall art and bench from Bramble give this room a rustic, old world look.

The younger boy’s room features a sports theme using the grand slam sheet set and duvet cover from Traditions by Pamela Klein. Bunk beds from the Young American Mix Collection, a Bramble storage cabinet displaying footballs, baseball gloves and trophies, and vintage sports artwork complete the room.

The teenage girl’s bedroom suite includes a sitting room outfitted with a funky dresser and armoire for storing all her video games. A mix of beanbags in various colors and sizes make the room a really cool place to hangout. Stanley adult furniture from the European Cottage Collection in a creamy white finish with flowing, serpentine touches and tapered legs adorns the bedroom. Bedding is funky yet feminine and vibrant metal Wall Flowers adorn the walls of the bedroom and bath. In the hallway outside her room is a bench where friends can leave their shoes and a bright blue mirror with hooks is above it for hanging coats.

Retired Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Mark Wohlers and his wife Kim own the home, which was destroyed by fire in 2011. The Wohlers’ family residence is now rebuilt with a legacy of gratitude and deep appreciation for the community who “came to bat” during their tragedy. The Home Tour runs April 29 – May 20, 2012. The home is located off of Birmingham Hwy. in Milton, but visitors must take a shuttle which departs from the Olde Blind Dog Irish Pub, located at 12650 Crabapple Rd. in Milton. Tickets are $20 at the door or $18 online or at one of the ticket outlets, which includes The Chandelry in Roswell and Sip in Milton.

The Roswell Women’s Club donates 100% of their profits to charitable organizations like HomeStretch, Child Development Association, Foster Care Support Foundation, EnAble of Georgia, and North Fulton Community Charities.

About KooKooBearKids.com
KooKoo Bear Kids offers designer kids’ rooms and exceptional gifts for children and new mothers, available via the web site, catalog, or retail stores in Roswell and Norcross. From themed beds with matching bedding of fresh colors and designer fabrics to timeless classics like quilts with hand applied beadwork and embroidery, KooKoo Bear Kids offers hundreds of rugs, curtains, blankets, bedding, and furniture for a totally custom look. In 2010, KooKoo Bear Kids was named a Retail Star by Kids Today magazine. Find out more about the complete range of products at http://www.kookoobearkids.com.

KooKoo Bear Kids is Only Authorized Dealer in Atlanta

ATLANTA, GA – April 19, 2012 – KooKoo Bear Kids, an online, catalog, and retail store marketer of designer kids’ rooms and exceptional gifts, announces the addition of a new kids’ furniture line from Universal® – SmartStuff™ Furniture. This new furniture brand is Universal’s entry into the youth furniture market and KooKoo Bear Kids will be the only authorized dealer in the Atlanta market.

“Universal is pleased to have KooKoo Bear Kids showcase our new SmartStuff furniture lines for kids in their Norcross and Roswell stores,” said Kevin Parker, Business Development at Universal Furniture International, Inc. “This top-rated retailer has a wonderful design staff that can help you plan, design, and decorate the perfect room for your child using our high quality furniture lines.”

“SmartStuff Kids’ Furniture offers another option of top quality furniture with unique styling, strong construction, and great value that is carried in the KooKoo Bear Kids’ Norcross store,” said Tara Mediate, president of KooKoo Bear Kids. “Many SmartStuff features set a new standard in excellence and distinction in kids’ furnishings.”

SmartStuff Furniture comes in four kids’ collections, all providing innovative features and pricing in keeping with Universal’s good, affordable, smart design mantra. The four collections — Gabriella, RoughHouse, Freestyle and Classics 4.0 — have about 25 pieces each, including beds, dressers, desks, media chests, mirrors, and bookcases. Priced about 20 to 40 percent below premium brands, SmartStuff features drawer interiors with English dovetail joints on the front and back, full-finish 9/16th inch oak plywood, and drawer operation on a pair of ball bearing, full-extension, soft-closing, under-mount glides.

The Freestyle collection is fresh and sophisticated in cherry veneers with a rich Mocha finish. Bow-front drawers juxtaposed with flat parting rails create a sense of movement, while tapered legs and simple round nickel hardware add a contemporary appeal. Gabriella’s refined Lace finish boasts just a hint of glaze, which accentuates rose carvings, fluted pilasters, beaded accents and charming painted bale-pull hardware. Classics 4.0 offers timeless styling and traditional Louis Philippe details with softened edges with lapped drawers, round wood knobs and stylized bun feet. The RoughHouse collection comes in cherry veneers with a Rustic Cherry finish and features substantial tops and posts, softened edges, exaggerated bun feet and sturdy antique bronze bale pulls.

Other features include:

• Patented charging stations for cell phones, iPods, iPads, computers, televisions; or the vacuum sweeper when it’s time to clean up.
• Removable partitions in the drawers provide simple organization to help mothers and kids bring order to busy lives.
• Each dresser includes a hideaway for special treasures or a girl’s first jewelry.
• Built-in lighting is strategically placed for studying or as nightlights.
• Bedrails are 100% bolt-together construction for sturdier, wobble-free beds.
• Lead free finishes.
• Bunk beds feature ladders with wider steps and deeper mattress openings.
• A tray for the upper bunk creates a “nightstand in the sky” for an iPod, cell phone or alarm clock.
• Beds are available in twin and full with bunk beds available as twin over twin, twin over full, and full over full.
• Nightstands feature coasters for sweaty glasses, urging kids to “Respect the Wood” and protect the furniture.

About KooKooBearKids.com
KooKoo Bear Kids offers designer kids’ rooms and exceptional gifts for children and new mothers, available via the web site, catalog, or retail stores in Roswell and Norcross. From themed beds with matching bedding of fresh colors and designer fabrics to timeless classics like quilts with hand applied beadwork and embroidery, KooKoo Bear Kids offers hundreds of rugs, curtains, blankets, bedding, and furniture for a totally custom look. In 2010, KooKoo Bear Kids was named a Retail Star by Kids Today magazine. Find out more about the complete range of products at http://www.kookoobearkids.com.

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Vehicle manufacturers design the safety features in their cars for adults and not children, thus all those great things in your car that keep you safe, be they seat belts, air bags, or soft dashboards, are all designed for you, not your child. The only thing that is designed to keep your child safe on the road is their car seat.

While we would all like to think that children are little versions of us, they are in fact very different. A child’s head is 25 percent of their body mass, while the adult head is only 5 percent. A child’s shoulder and neck muscles are underdeveloped, thus they can not protect the nerves that run through them nor can they properly hold the mass of the head in place. A child’s bone structure is also different as it is softer and more bendable. In short, a child has different needs when it comes to keeping them safe on the road.

We may all be entitled to our own opinions, but we are not entitled to our own facts and when it comes to keeping a child rear facing in the car, the facts speak volumes. A child who is rear facing is 5 times safer than a child who is forward facing. While head, neck, shoulder, and chest injuries are common in children who are turned forward facing before age 2, such injuries are extremely rare in a child who is rear facing and leg injuries are neither as severe nor as common. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children be kept rear facing until they are at least 2 years of age or have reached the maximum rear facing limit on the convertible car seat.

Consider what happens in a crash. The head, neck and spine are supported by the car seat when the child is rear facing. They are compressed into the seat and the seat absorbs all the inertia. When a child is forward facing, there is NOTHING to restrain the head and limbs. The crash forces are distributed over the chest and the shoulders. This forces the child’s body, rather than the car seat, to absorb much of the crash energy. The head and arms fly forward uncontrollably and with such a large mass on the head, a neck or spinal cord injury is very, very common. Since the shoulders are also stressed, nerve damage can result that leaves the child’s arms paralyzed.

For any parent, this kind of description rightly brings to their mind a nightmarish image. No one wants to see their child injured, yet so many parents think it can’t happen to them. Those things only happen to other people, or so they think. The reality is that it WILL happen at some point, whether it’s your fault or someone else’s fault. Crashes do happen, but injuries are preventable. While all infant car seats are rear facing, when parents move their child to the convertible car seat, they should remain rear facing for as long a possible. The second stage seat is called a convertible because it can be both rear and forward facing. Most good convertible car seats will have a rear facing weight limit between 35 and 45 pounds. Britax and Diono convertible car seats can also be tethered rear facing, thus controlling the rebound of the seat in a crash and improving rear facing crash performance.

Keeping your child rear facing until they are at least 2 years old offers them the best protection in a crash. This is not an opinion or the overreaction of a paranoid parent, but fact that is supported by both the statistics and common sense. While parents may be criticized by other parents who don’t know better, or even have to put up with complaints from their child, these things are far better than dealing with the tragedy that can happen as a consequence of turning a child forward facing before they are ready. It is always better to be safe now than sorry later.

It’s a given that your new baby is going to need a car seat, but how do you choose the best car seat?

There are two temptations when shopping for a car seat. Some people will grab whatever is the cheapest as they think that all car seats are the same. Then there are others who immediately assume that the most expensive car seat must be the best and the safest. The price of a car seat will not immediately assure that it is the best or the safest.

When considering which car seat to purchase for your child, one must understand that your car seat is not something that should be skimped on. This is the ONE item that will keep your child safe in the event of a car crash. The safest seat is not the one that some magazine says, what a relative says you have to have, or what is the most expensive. Nor is ever car seat the same. The safest car seat is what fits in your car best, what you can use easily and correctly every time, and what is appropriate for your child.

No matter what safety features are designed into a car seat, if it can’t be used or installed in your car correctly, then those features will do your child little good. All of those safety features are designed based upon the assumption that the car seat is being used correctly and is properly installed. So if those two things can’t be done, then that car seat will not be as safe as one that can be properly installed and used correctly.

As good as a booster seat may be for an older child, it is not appropriate for a 9 month old, so not only should a car seat be able to be installed and used correctly, it also has to be appropriate for your child. All car seats have height and weight limits. They will advertise the weight limit everywhere, but it is the height limit that most kids reach first. A car seat will last until a child has reached one or the other limit. With this in mind, if your 18 month old is under the weight limit of the infant seat, but over the height limit, they need to move to the next stage car seat even though they are under the weight limit.

When we need parts for our car, we expect to be asked for the make and model, the year, and maybe even some option codes or a VIN number. All cars are not the same, even though they may all have four wheels and an engine. Yet when it comes to car seats, we make this assumption. We just think every car seat will fit in every car, when in fact this is just not the case. There are some car seats that just don’t work well in many cars, while there are also some cars that are more car seat friendly. A car seat technician will have the experience with different vehicles to be able to offer some suggestions when it comes to car seats in different cars. Anyone making recommendations for a car seat needs to know what kind of car the seat is going into. They should be asking you specific questions as “it’s an SUV” can mean anything from a Honda CRV to a Chevrolet Suburban. If they don’t bother asking you about your car, then they can’t really help you.

There is a saying, “If it’s easy to use, then you are more apt to use it correctly.” This is an observation of human nature and it is very true when it comes to car seats. If there is something on the car seat that is difficult to use, especially something that will be used all the time, then you will be less likely to use it correctly every time. This does not make anyone a bad parent, it just makes us all human. A good car seat will be easy to use. If it is a convertible car seat, it will be easy to use both rear and forward facing. The harness is adjusted every time the child is in the car seat, so it had best be easy to use. If you can’t get to it, then you are less likely to properly tighten it.

These are the basics to consider when purchasing your car seat. There is no one car seat for everyone as cars, babies, and parents are all different. Some car seats are more user and vehicle friendly than others. Do not worry so much about the price tag on a car seat as the cost of a mistake here can be far more than money can buy. The right car seat can make your child the safest person in the car. The wrong car seat can have disastrous affects. It is far better to be safe now than sorry later.

KooKoo Bear Kids is proud to have a certified child passenger safety technician on hand to not only answer your questions about car seats, but also to educate parents in their proper use. Car seat checks and installations are available at the store on an appointment basis. At Koo Koo Bear Kids, your child’s safety is our first priority. With this in mind, we encourage all parents to have their child’s car seat checked to ensure that it is installed and used correctly. You would rather know this for certain before the crash than wonder about it afterwards.

Hollywood Moms & Dads Adore Unique Baby Gifts & Designer Rooms

ATLANTA, GA – March 27, 2012 – KooKoo Bear Kids, an online, catalog, and retail store marketer of designer kids’ rooms and exceptional gifts, announces that Hollywood star Robert Downey Jr. received numerous gift items from KooKoo Bear Kids in a gift basket put together by Hollywood Baskets. Robert Downey Jr. & wife Susan had a baby boy, Exton Elias Downey, on Feb. 8th.

“Kids are the greatest gifts in the world,” said Tara Mediate, president of KooKoo Bear Kids and mother of three. “That’s why celebrities love to pamper their new arrivals with designer items and top quality products like we offer at KooKoo Bear Kids.”

KooKoo Bear Kids gifted Robert Downey’s son with a blue, metal Keepsake Bucket (shown in photo) filled with personalized, super soft chenille blue and white blanket with Exton’s initials monogrammed in chocolate brown. He also received a blue elephant ring rattle, a baby bib by Caden Lane in a paisley, another bib by Swankie Blankie in a soft blue, minky fabric, and a light blue elephant stuffed lovie.

Robert Downey Jr. may be best known for his role in the action-adventure films Sherlock Holmes for which he earned a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical in January of 2010.

About KooKooBearKids.com
KooKoo Bear Kids offers designer kids’ rooms and exceptional gifts for children and new mothers, available via the web site, catalog, or retail store. From themed beds with matching bedding of fresh colors and designer fabrics to timeless classics like quilts with hand applied beadwork and embroidery, KooKoo Bear Kids offers hundreds of rugs, curtains, blankets, bedding, and furniture for a totally custom look. In 2010, KooKoo Bear Kids was named a Retail Star by Kids Today magazine. Find out more about the complete range of products at http://www.kookoobearkids.com.

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With gas prices the way they are today, it’s only natural for families to want to hang onto a vehicle that is not only fuel efficient, but also doesn’t scream “family hauler!” Today’s sedans offer the kind of fuel economy that used to be reserved for econobox hatchbacks, while still providing a sporting feel and a good size for two adults and two children. The only problem with a sedan is that, even when the trunk space is adequate, the trunk opening is often too narrow or not tall enough to accept most traditional side by side or tandem double strollers. Fortunately, there is hope and it is found in the expandable stroller category.

Leave it to engineers to tackle any problem! And they actually came up with a practical solution that doesn’t require the engineering degree to figure out! An expandable stroller will begin life as a single stroller, which works just fine for your first child. It then has the option of adding a second seat that can accommodate another child as the family grows. Not only does the family get to keep the one stroller that they are familiar with, they also get to keep their vehicle as this type of stroller will fit in a far smaller storage space than a traditional double stroller. Best of all, these strollers can return to being a single stroller again when the older child no longer has need of the stroller, which is best done between 3 and 5 years old.

Strollers like the Phil & Teds inline buggies offer superior head room for the older child as well as the benefits of having both children close, as in a side by side, but also separated, as in a tandem. The main seat will hold a child between 44 and 55 pounds, while the second seat will hold a child from about 3 months to 35 pounds, depending upon the stroller. Newborns can ride in their infant seat with an older child who is under 35 pounds in the rear seat, or the rear seat can be moved to the front and the main seat lain flat for the newborn. This lays the newborn in the preferred flat position, keeps them a bit more sheltered, and puts the older child front and center, getting all the attention and alleviating some of the jealousy that can come with having a new baby brother or sister.

The Britax B-Ready is another option and that offers a larger seat, more legroom, and the ability to mount the infant seat in the lower position. There is a bassinet option and the stroller can be folded with the second seat installed on the stroller. Both the main seat and the second seat sport shock absorbers for a smooth ride as well as their own canopies. Parents will enjoy the large basket that is accessible from any direction. The Britax B-Ready is a superb choice for the growing family and is one of the most versatile strollers on the market.

This type of stroller will generally weigh between 23 and 34 pounds, making them lighter than any traditional tandem and most of the side by side double strollers. They will also fit easily into the trunk of most sedans, taking up no more space than a light weight single stroller. The ability to move from single to double and back again means that a parent will not get stuck pushing a double stroller with one child in it.

For parents having twins, there are strollers like the Peach Blossom and the Pear from iCandy, as well as the Baby Jogger City Select. Both can be single or double strollers, but since their second seats have a very similar weight rating, 45 pounds for both the Baby Jogger and the iCandy, to the main seat, they are more suitable for twins or children who are close in age. The Phil & Teds Verve also offers a similar weight rating in a more all terrain style of stroller. Their new Promenade stroller is also of this type, with identical main and second seats for twins. This type of stroller also offers the options of mounting two infant seats, or two prams to lay the newborns flat. Folding this kind of stroller usually requires more than one step as at least one seat must be removed first. While this may seem like a hassle, it also has its benefits. Parents need not deal with the entire weight of the stroller all at once, and since the seats are coming off, the stroller will be smaller and able to fit in a sedan trunk where a traditional tandem stroller simply will not fit. As multi-role strollers, both the iCandy and the Baby Jogger benefit from having multiple seating options, allowing the children to face out or towards the parents; one can recline while the other sits more upright, and if you are out with only one, the stroller can be set up as a single instead of a double. No sense pushing around a double stroller with only one child in it!

We at Koo Koo Bear Kids recommend that parents consider two things when they are considering their stroller options; your lifestyle and your long term family plans. If you are considering this to be just the start of the family, if there even might be the possibility of a sibling later on, then this type of stroller makes all the sense in the world. Focusing only on the present often leads to money being thrown away on the wrong kind of stroller. A stroller that grows with the family is an investment, something that will last and should be not only viewed for what it can do today, but also what it can become tomorrow. They may be initially a bit more, but in the long run they not only replace the additional strollers you would have to buy, but also that SUV or minivan purchase as well. When put that way, the cost savings are significant. So go ahead, love your sedan and know that it can serve you well for many years even as your family grows!

Okay, so here are the two heavy hitters in jogging strollers; the Mountain Buggy Terrain and the BOB Revolution. While there are other good joggers out there, like the Baby Jogger Summit XC, if you are seriously into jogging or cross country running, then these are the two that you will generally go for. So what’s the difference between them? In some ways, they are very, very similar, but in others they are lightyears apart. Let’s break down each, weigh the pros and cons, and see who comes out on top!

The BOB Revolution:
BOB has been making a superior jogging stroller for a good many years now and they have most recently done a complete redesign of the Revolution, which is there swivel wheel jogger. The stroller now boasts a more user friendly anchor point for car seat adapter and trays. The seat has more padding and the fabrics have been improved. The strong points of the stroller, a rock solid frame, front wheel tracking device, and compact fold have all remained. The Revolution weighs 25 pounds, which is only slightly up from the 23 of the old model. The canopy is very large and the seat is 14 inches wide, proving comfortable for most children. The leg room still isn’t the best, but at least the child won’t feel too cramped. With a weight limit of 75 pounds, the Revolution can handle virtually any sized child that would be in a stroller. Folding the Revolution involves two steps, with the seat initially folding in half and the rear forks collapsing in the final step. The lock is still the Velcro on the safety strap, so it’s a bit awkward. The Revolution will sit on it’s side, but won’t stand up. In all honesty, I liked the older model better as it had less plastic on it. Regardless of the durability of the plastics used, there is no substitute for metal in my book. BOB has also resisted adding a deceleration brake on their strollers, which can be a serious safety concern in any hilly area. The basket is a good size, but is uncovered, so if you are running on a dirt trail, expect whatever you stored under there to wind up at your feet! The Revolution is suitable from about 6 months on up, but parents shouldn’t jog or run with a baby until they are at least 8 to 9 months old. The handle on the Revolution is fixed at 40 inches from the ground and has a foam cover. This cover can be torn over time and does not wear well. Another flaw on the BOB that has shown up over time is there closing mechanism. When engaging the second part of the close, there are bolts that are stressed and will often bend. Fortunately, they are standard bolts and easily replaced. When you consider that the Revolution has an MSRP of $449.99 and $469.99 for the Stroller Strides fitness model, one would think that the Revolution would have gotten stronger, rather than seemingly moving down scale with all the plastic. It is possible that this represents the fact that BOB strollers have found their way into more large chain stores like REI, Buy Buy Baby, and even some Babies R Us stores. When companies go mass market, the quality tends to drop as they begin to rely on their reputation rather than on the quality of their product.

The Mountain Buggy Terrain:

For a company that is known for their all terrain strollers, it is surprising that the Terrain is their first jogging stroller. The Terrain is based on the Mountain Buggy Urban Jungle frame, with slight modifications in the positioning of the shock absorbers, the addition of a deceleration brake, and larger 16 inch rear wheels. The Terrain offers a tracking adjustment on the front wheel, like the BOB, and the front wheel can be locked in two positions, rather than just one. The stroller seat is wide and there is more legroom on the Terrain. The crotch strap on the Terrain offers two positions, depending on the size of the child and the harness requires two hands to unlock, making it child proof! A front bar is included, although there is currently no option for a solid tray. The canopy on the Terrain is very large, will follow the sun, and has a flip down sun visor for extra sunny days. The handle on the Terrain adjusts for different heights and incorporates a mount for a cup holder. Such an accessory is somewhat redundant as there are two bottle holders attached to the frame! A foot operated wheel lock will keep the stroller in place while the deceleration brake works drum brakes on the rear wheels. The basket is very large, with side pockets and other areas for storage. The big plus here is the zippered cover that keeps anything you put in there secure even when the terrain gets rough! For those who want to only have one stroller, the Terrain has a definite edge over the BOB as it can be used from birth with the addition of a pram that mounts securely to the frame. This keeps the newborn in a flat position, rather than being always in the car seat, which is also an option. Car seat compatibility is very good with a universal adaptor, one for the Peg Perego, and one for the Graco infant seats. As a plus, the Britax Chaperone fits securely into the stroller without the use of an adapter, making for an especially good combination. The Terrain weighs in at 28 pounds, heavier than the BOB but lighter than many other all terrain and even conventional strollers. It does have the highest weight capacity in its class at 78 pounds. Folding the Terrain is very easy and there are no stress points on the stroller as there are on the BOB. The Revolution may fold into a smaller package, but it is taller, which is a concern in some sedans with smaller trunk openings. The Terrain will stand on it’s own as well. Color options certainly favor the BOB as the Mountain Buggy currently only offers one color, Marble Gray, with the Terrain. Fortunately, this is a color that is both unisex and wears well. While the Terrain is slightly more expensive than the BOB at $499.99, the added features and the benefit of being able to be used as the primary stroller make it money well spent.

So which stroller comes out on top?
Certainly the BOB is a great product and has a very good reputation, but the new model demonstrates some of the pitfalls of going into the mass market. We give the Terrain the edge in versatility as it is more suited to a newborn and thus can be the primary stroller right from birth. The adjustable handle provides more comfort for different sized parents, and the deceleration brake is a huge plus when it comes to safety as it allows the parent to maintain control of the stroller. Touches like the covered basket become more valuable in everyday use as items placed there are sure to remain there after you finish your run. We’d like to see more color options, but overall, the Terrain is the superior jogger and the choice of professional athletes and the Baby Boot Camp, one of the best known family fitness programs. They liked the Terrain so much that they made it their official stroller! While many parents might be perfectly happy with their BOB, when they see the Mountain Buggy Terrain, they will have to fight back those dreaded feelings of buyer’s remorse!