A new and improved baby seat — one that aids development and helps soothe babies using their own motion — is now available from BabyBjörn. The BABYBJÖRN Babysitter Balance cradles baby securely in soft cloth that molds to his/her body. This allows baby to rest and play comfortably, or to observe what’s going on around him, while freeing up mom’s or dad’s hands.

In developing the Babysitter Balance, BabyBjörn capitalized on the known calming effects of vestibular stimulation, which helps the body maintain balance and has been linked to enhanced motor skill development.  The vestibular system is located in those chambers and canals of the inner ear that sense movement and keep eyes focused as the head moves. It begins developing in the womb and reaches its peak development phase between six months and 12 months of age.  The system can be stimulated with bouncing or rocking.

Three positions designed for calming comfort

Each of the Babysitter Balance’s three settings is designed to transform a child’s movements into a rocking motion, no batteries required.  Parents can adjust easily between play, rest and sleep positions with a new level adjustment catch.  For those family trips or play dates, the Babysitter Balance offers a new folding-catch technology that makes it easy to fold and carry or store.  The seat can be used for newborns starting at 8 pounds up to 29 pounds.

Pediatricians at Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital in Cleveland, the No. 2 hospital in the country for newborn care according to U.S. News and World Report, encourage parents to use the Babysitter Balance as a good way to keep baby engaged, in sight and comfortable.

“While in the Babysitter, babies can continue to interact and watch activities that provide good visual stimulation, while the motion of the Babysitter provides vestibular stimulation,” said Dr. Amanda Weiss Kelly, director of Pediatric Sports Medicine at Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital and mother of a 1-year-old.  “Parents can rest assured that the chair provides good head and neck support for young infants.  It’s important to remember that an infant should always be supervised and not placed on an elevated object while in the Babysitter.”

As with all BabyBjörn products with a textile component, the Babysitter Balance fabric has been certified Oeko-Tex Standard 100, class 1.  This is the most rigorous international textile certification available, and ensures that the fabric is free of harmful allergenics, carcinogenics, pesticides, heavy metals and formaldehydes.  As a result, parents can rest assured that it is guaranteed safe for infants.

The seat can be customized with a toy bar that features bright spinning wooden shapes to keep little ones entertained.  The Babysitter Balance fabric and restraint are reversible, allowing families to choose a color combination that suits their home.  It is available in black/red, black/silver, brown/beige, dark blue/light blue and black/white mesh color combinations. The Babysitter Balance can also be accessorized with the BABYBJÖRN Cozy Cover, a soft terry cloth blanket that includes a waterproof pad in the seat area.

The Babysitter Balance has a suggested retail price of $169.95.  The toy bar has a suggested retail price of $39.95.  The Cozy Cover has a suggested retail price of $69.95. It will be available at independent juvenile retailers beginning in September 2008. Visit www.babybjorn.com for more information.

BABYBJÖRN products are available in department and juvenile specialty stores throughout the United States and Canada.