ciao, mondo! – Peg Perego Blog

It’s easy to get so caught up shopping for baby that you forget to shop for yourself! Take some time off of test driving strollers and installing car seats and go pick up some things for you. You definitely deserve it.

Not sure where to start?

The hottest trend in maternity-wear right now seem to be celebrity-endorsed lines, including a few by Heidi Klum and one that released last year by Nicole Richie. Another favorite (and absolute must-have!) is the BellaBand – a very handy accessory that allows you to wear your regular jeans well into your pregnancy!

As you indulge in some of the most talked about items, here’s a list* of the tried-and-true classics we’re sure will come in handy:

• Maternity pillow
• Prenatal vitamins
• Lotion
• Water bottle
• Maternity underwear (large-sized regular underwear may also work for you, depending on your frame)
• Maternity bras
• Sleep bras
• Bathrobe
• 2-4 pairs of leggings
• Maternity jeans or khakis
• Stretch or drawstring pants
• Elastic-waist skirts
• Stretchy tops
• Maternity support belt
• Exercise wear
• Support shoes

*adapted from Peg Perego’s Planning for Baby—a guide for expectant moms. To receive a free copy, contact Customer Service or visit Planning for Baby online.

More and more reviews on 2010 products are popping up on YouTube, blogs and review sites. Here’s some to note:

Kiersten’s review of the GT3 ForTwo – Kiersten has a steady archive of reviews for GrowingYourBaby.com, and her June 17 review is all about Peg Perego’s newest double stroller! Read the GT3 ForTwo review here.

Lisa’s review of the Skate System – Another GrowingYourBaby.com reviewer, Lisa also provides the site with celebrity family news. On May 18, she wrote up a wonderful review of the Skate System, complete with photos she took herself! Read the Skate System review here.

Strollerqueen’s review of the Vela – With a blog full of product reviews under her belt, Strollerqueen provided not only a review of the new Vela (complete with photos), but a comparison review of the Vela v. the Aria (its predecessor). Read the Vela review here – Read the comparison here.

Mrs. Stratcatavarious’ review of the Uno – Video reviews can be hard to come by, but Mrs. Stratcatavarious’s look at the Uno is a great way to see the product before venturing out to a retailer. Watch the Uno review here.

Don’t forget! The information presented in any review may not be entirely accurate since it didn’t come directly from Peg Perego. To check on information or receive answers to any additional questions you may have, please feel free to contact me. I’m always here to help!

Also, if you have a review you’d like us to look at and possibly link to, let me know!

Each year, Peg Perego’s engineers and designers work alongside the Perego family to develop new products, update existing products, and evaluate current products. This results in a completely new collection that is launched at the beginning of the following year.

Which means our next launch will be in January 2011!

We’re only halfway through 2010, but I’m already receiving quite a few questions about our 2011 Collection. So, in case you’re new to shopping for baby, here’s a snapshot of what will go on:

1)     Peg Perego’s 2011 collection will be introduced at the ABC Trade Show in October. Until then, I won’t be able to share any information on the collection, since our engineers and designers will continue to make final tweaks and decisions right up until the show. If you have questions about the collection, I encourage you to check back with the blog in October!

2)     Once the collection has been introduced, I’ll post about it on this blog. My posts leading up to the January collection launch will primarily be focused on highlighting both new and updated products. I’ll also be able to begin fielding questions from you!

3)     As is true every year, the collection will include new fabrics! This means we’ll have new colors and fabric designs for our baby products. The new fabric collection will be available on nearly all of our products (one or two products may carry over the 2010 fabric collection, while others may be available in select fabrics from the 2011 collection). So, even if a product doesn’t see a model update, it will have new fabric choices!

4)     Once the 2011 Collection is introduced in October, many stores will take preorders. This is the best way to guarantee that you’ll receive the new product as soon as possible. Though actual ship dates may change, we fill orders on a first come, first served basis. Getting your order in sooner than later is always a great option. And, if the timing ends up not working out, some retailers will allow you to cancel your order or apply it to a different product. (Please check with the retailer on this before placing your order).

5)     As we gear up for the 2011 launch, the 2010 Collection will be retired. This means that we will stop production of the 2010 Collection and begin to manufacture our 2011 products. Though it will still take some months to sell through our inventory, certain fabrics and models may become rare finds. To avoid chasing after an out-of-stock model, it’s best to make your final purchase of a 2010 Peg Perego soon after the 2011 collection launches in January.

Hope this clears up some questions you may have as to how we transition from 2010 to 2011. I’m here if you have any questions, but remember, I can’t say much about the new collection until after it’s unveiled in October!

Planning for Baby

Got a little one on the way? Have you begun shopping around for baby gear?

Though you won’t need to purchase the items until the middle of the third trimester, it’s often a good idea to begin shopping early. There’s often a lot of information to wade through and options to consider. By getting a head start, you’ll be sure to have time to make the choices that are best for your family!

Three of the major items you’ll need for baby are a crib, car seat and stroller. Here’s some information that may help jump-start the research process:

Crib – Decide whether you need a bassinet, cradle or standard crib. When shopping for a crib, find one with an adjustable mattress height. This will ensure baby is able to use it as he/she grows. Be careful when considering drop rail cribs, as these have seen some recalls in the past few years.

On top of this, opt for a firm mattress that fits snugly. Crib bumpers will also help create a cozy environment while protecting little fingers.

Car Seat – The most important consideration here is safety, so make sure to get a new car seat that complies with NHTSA standards. Second-hand seats are never a good option, since it’s impossible to tell whether they’ve seen an accident, extreme use or weather conditions and other instances that could compromise the seat’s performance.

A car seat base that’s permanently installed in the car is a feature many parents find convenient, as it allows them to install and remove the seat with a simple ‘click’!

And, finally, always consider head supports for newborns, since their muscles need time to strengthen.

Stroller – First, assess your lifestyle and needs. Do you have other young children, or is this your first baby? Will you be out and about a lot, running errands or walking through the neighborhood? Do you live in a big city, a suburb or the country? How important is weight and fold?

Though no one stroller can ‘do it all’, there are strollers for each of these needs. By narrowing your stroller selection to the strollers that will best adapt to your lifestyle (instead of choosing whichever one looks coolest), you lessen the risk that you’ll be disappointed in your stroller’s performance.

Once you’ve got it down to three to five options, head out to a local retailer and give them a try!

*adapted from Peg Perego’s Planning for Baby—a guide for expectant moms. To receive a free copy, contact Customer Service or visit Planning for Baby online.

Because we often focus on the unique and most-loved features, I’d like to take this week’s blog post to go over some of the more standard features that we offer on our products – you know, features that truly help the product stand out but may not receive as much attention.

1)     Diaper bag hooks (available on the Switch, P3 and Aria Twin 60-40) – Hooks are built right onto the stroller’s frame, so that you can easily hang a diaper bag from the stroller!

2)     Extra padded seats (available on all Peg Perego strollers) – Our stroller seats tend to have more plush padding than our competitors’ seats, making for a more comfortable and happy baby.

3)     Huge canopy (available on all Peg Perego strollers) – Our canopies are some of the biggest in the business, oftentimes stretching to reach all the way down to the stroller’s snack tray/bumper bar.

4)     Confort dry car seat fabric (available on the Primo Viaggio SIP 30/30) – Soft confort dry fabric wicks away moisture, keeping baby comfortable when the weather isn’t.

5)     A hood pocket (available on the Switch, P3 and Si) – This convenient pocket is located right on the hood – a perfect place for your keys or phone!

6)     Adult cup holder adaptability (available on the Uno, Skate System, Vela, Switch, P3, and Si) – With a cup holder hook on either side of the stroller, our Adult Cup Holder (included with stroller) may sit on either the right or the left. Very convenient!

7)     Spot shade (available on the Uno, Skate System, Switch, P3, and GT3 ForTwo) – Smart engineering allows most of our canopies to unzip and convert to a spot shade: a sort of shade that can be positioned to block the sun while still allowing plenty of ventilation!

8)     Lockable front wheels (available on the Uno, Skate System, Vela, Switch, P3, Si, GT3 ForTwo, and Aria Twin 60-40) – The option of putting the front wheels in swivel or stationary mode is a feature we include on most of our strollers.

Just some examples of how our products are engineered to make life easier!

The Skate’s newest accessory, the Jumper Seat, has been a popular topic on the blog! So, when we received one from Italy last week, I was excited to find out a lot more about this great accessory that turns the Skate stroller into a double.

Quick Facts about the Jumper Seat*

-        Compatible with all Skate models

-        Can be used in conjunction with the stroller seat or the Primo Viaggio SIP 30/30 car seat

-        Includes a three-point lap belt

-        Compatible with the Universal Umbrella accessory (to create a canopy for the Jumper Seat)

-        40-pound carrying capacity

-        Suggested Retail: $109.99

-        Available as an accessory in late-July through your local retailer (or through Peg Perego Customer Service)

*Please keep in mind that facts are subject to change as we approach the release date.

Check with your local Peg Perego retailer to see if they plan on carrying the Jumper Seat. The accessory will also be available online from select Peg Perego-authorized retailers. Feel free to contact me directly if you’d like verification on a retailer’s status.

Planning a summer road trip with your newborn (6 months or younger)? Here are some things to keep in mind to ensure baby is safe, comfortable, and the trip goes smoothly!

1) Expect frequent stops. Baby will need to be fed, changed, held and more. Because of these stops, your travel time will significantly increase. Plan for it to take about twice as long for you to reach your destination. This may seem like an inconvenience, but keep in mind that traveling by car is oftentimes a better experience for baby (and you!) than going by air or rail.

2) Avoid the temptation to take baby out of her seat. Taking baby out of her car seat (while still traveling) may seem like the best way to calm her down and still meet your expected time of arrival. However, removing baby from her car seat, for even a second, is extremely dangerous. Accidents happen quickly, and, in the event of an accident, there wouldn’t be anything to protect her  should she be in your arms rather than in her seat.

3) Bring a stroller with a full recline (or bassinet option). Keeping babies in their car seats for extended periods of time isn’t good for their development. Though there’s no way around the need to keep baby in her car seat while you’re on the road, having a stroller with a newborn-ready bassinet (or convertible seat) will offer something different than a car seat-Travel System option when you’re out sightseeing.

4) Anticipate a change in your baby’s sleep schedule. Time zones and car napping will affect whatever sleep schedule your baby has developed. At night, when you’re ready for her to fall asleep, keep in mind it may take a bit longer than normal and she may also wake more often. She has, after all, spent the entire day nodding off in the back seat. It’ll take some time for her schedule to smooth out again.

Have any questions about the gear you should use on your road trip? Ask away!

Summer is fast upon us! Here are some of the fabric-related questions that I’ve received due to warmer weather:

1) Does black (Nero or Gala) fabric get hotter in the summer? Does it absorb more heat?

It’s easy to assume that stroller fabric operates like a car, in that the darker it is and the more it’s out in the sun, the hotter it gets. That’s really not the case. Black fabric, though it may absorb a bit more heat, doesn’t actually feel hotter than light-colored fabric.

So, if you’re considering a dark-colored stroller for summer, I say go for it!

2) What’s your most breathable, summertime fabric?

Our Soft Comfort Fabrics (Sophia and Marea) come with a reversible, all-natural cotton side that is light, airy, and so great for summer! Then, when winter comes back around, you can easily switch it back to the velvety-warm side.

Also, the headrest and padding on our Primo Viaggio car seat is made of soft Confort dry microfiber cloth that stays dry and allows proper ventilation. This fabric is great in the summer and winter months!

3) What can I do if I accidentally leave my stroller in the sun? I just don’t want the fabric to be too hot.

The fabric shouldn’t be too bad, but to be on the safe side, you may want to lay a light blanket directly on the seat before placing baby inside and securing him with the harness. This will help prevent any direct contact with the fabric.

4) Can you tell me about the chemicals that are sprayed on fabric? I’m afraid they’ll irritate baby’s skin.

Due to safety regulations, stroller and car seat companies such as Peg Perego spray their fabrics with fire retardants. This makes the product better-prepared in the event of an accident.

Parents tend to worry when they hear about the chemicals used on baby gear. However, it’s very important to keep in mind that these chemicals are as gentle as possible and allergic reactions to them are quite rare.

A great option for long walks, day trips and outdoor events (festivals, fairs and pavilion parties), the Uno is a great go-to stroller for families who stay busy!

One of our luxury strollers, the feature that sets the Uno apart from our other products is its reversible handlebar. This feature allows mom or dad to effortlessly transition baby from front- to rear-facing without waking her up!

The Uno also has large rear wheels that give it a smooth, luxurious ride, while providing it with zero-radius turning when in rear-facing mode. And, its convertible sun canopy and included boot accessory ensure it’s always weather-ready.

List of features:

• Reversible handlebar has variable height adjustments and a detachable cup holder.
• Our Primo Viaggio SIP 30/30 car seat (sold separately) attaches easily to retractable hooks.
• Smooth Zero Radius Turning in rear-facing mode for effortless turning in tight spaces.
• Large, handy storage basket.
• Hood converts to a sun canopy with two-way zipper.
• Includes a detachable zippered leg cover.
• Tray with drink holder attaches easily to front bar.
• Large, handy storage basket.

Specs:
UNFOLDED
Height: 42″
Width: 23.75″
Depth: 35″

Weight: 19.6 lb

FOLDED
Height: 35.75″
Width: 23.75″
Depth: 14.5″

Weight: 19.6 lb

Peg Perego offers a number of options for families with two. So which is best for you?

Ideal for Families with Twins – The Duette SW

With seats that can face forward, backward or each other, the Duette is the perfect stroller to encourage twin bonding. It accepts two Primo Viaggio car seats.

Accommodations

Primo Viaggio (accepts two):     Birth to 6 months

Stroller Seat (accepts two): 6 months to 45 lbs.

Total weight capacity: 90 lbs.

Ideal for Shopping Families – The Aria Twin 60-40

Designed to fit through standard-sized doorways, this is a great option for mall-goers, shoppers, and errand-runners. The side-by-side design also gives it great maneuverability and ride when compared to other doubles. It accepts one Primo Viaggio car seat.

Accommodations

Large seat (With Primo Viaggio): Birth to 6 months

Large seat (Without Primo Viaggio): up to 45 lbs.

Small seat: up to 45 lbs.

Total weight capacity: 90 lbs.

Ideal for Adventurous Families – The GT3 ForTwo

The GT3 ForTwo is our most terrain-adaptable model. Thanks to its adjustable shocks, it more easily handles transitions from sand to gravel to pavement! It accepts one Primo Viaggio car seat.

Accommodations

Front seat (With Primo Viaggio): Birth to 6 months

Front seat (Without Primo Viaggio): 6 months to 45 lbs.

Rear seat: 6 months to 40 lbs.

Total weight capacity: 80 lbs.

Ideal for Slowly-Growing Families – The Skate System

Thinking about having another child, but don’t know for sure? The Skate System’s Jumper Seat accessory (available in July) allows you to turn this 3-piece single-stroller into a double! And the best thing is the Jumper Seat may be used when the Skate is in stroller or travel system mode. It accepts one Primo Viaggio car seat.

Double Accommodations

Chassis with Primo Viaggio (sold separately): 5 to 30 lbs.

Stroller seat: 6 months to 45 lbs.

Jumper Seat: 6 months to 40 lbs.

Have more questions? Leave me a comment!