Travel Lite™ Crib, in Ally Fashion
This ultra-lightweight crib (it weighs less than 20 lbs.) is perfect for traveling with your little one. Even though it’s light, it’s not light on features: it features a removable, full bassinet with quilted sides and a canopy with soft toys. It’s 20% smaller than regular playards, so it fits easily in your bedroom or even in compact spaces when you’re away from home. Of course, it has the signature Graco push button fold and a handy carry bag, so it’s always perfect for traveling. The cute Ally fashion is pink all over—from the pretty, feminine bed skirt and the multi-colored dots in, you guessed it, pink.

Comfy Cove™ DLX Swing, in Faith Fashion
Baby can’t help but be soothed and amused in this versatile swing. The Comfy Cove DLX is a comfy infant swing with a deep, cozy seat to cradle your little one. With six swing speeds, a three-position reclining seat and 15 songs and sounds, this swing makes it easy for you to find the soothing combination that’s best for your little princess. And, in the pretty Faith fashion—shades of pink and magenta blooms, coupled with earthy chocolate brown accents—she’ll always be swinging in style.

FastAction™ Fold Travel System, in Jacqueline Fashion
This stroller + infant car seat combo is a joy to use, featuring the signature one-second, single step fold on the stroller. The SnugRide is America’s best-selling infant car seat—and it’s top-rated by consumer magazines, so you know it’s great—and it fits “snugly” (pun intended!) into the stroller. Perhaps best of all, you can use this set right out of the box, with no assembly required. The FastAction fold is really a lifesaver for busy moms: since it only requires one hand, your other hand is always free for holding or comforting your baby. Your little princess can always ride in the height of baby fashion with the Jacqueline fashion. The pretty pink paisleys are the peak of chic!

Where are YOU seeing pink this month?

There’s something unfamiliar in the product’s title: Click Connect. What does that mean?
Graco’s innovative new Click Connect technology, allows parents to easily connect the infant car seat carrier to the stroller with a simple one-step secure attachment to create a travel system.

Which strollers work with the SnugRide Click Connect 40?
The SnugRide Click Connect 40 infant car seat is compatible with any Graco Click Connect Stroller.  Currently, Graco offers the FastAction™ Fold Sport Click Connect™ Stroller, the FastAction™ Fold Click Connect™ Stroller and the SnugRider™ Elite Stroller with Click Connect technology.

While I’m shopping, is there something I should look for on the package of strollers?
Great question!  You will see the Click Connect logo on both the packaging as well as the product, including the SnugRide Click Connect 40 and on all of the strollers it “clicks” with. Here’s a copy of the logo, for easy reference.  

Can the SnugRide Click Connect 40 be installed without the base?
According to the manual, the SnugRide Click Connect 40 can be installed without the base using the vehicle seat belt. The base adds convenience for parents who wish to take the infant car seat in and out of the car without disturbing their little one, eliminating the need to re-install the car seat every time. Please consult the manual when installing your infant car seat with or without the base to ensure proper installation.

Looking at the instructions for the SnugRide Click Connect 40, I see that there’s a 35” height limit. Are there any other height limits in play, like the 1” rule that I’ve seen on other seats?
That’s a great observation! When your child is positioned properly in the seat, it’s important to make sure that the top of his or her head is a minimum of 1” below the top of the head rest, for a safe, secure fit. In our testing, this will include children who are up to the 40 lbs. and up to 35” tall in most cases.

I’ve found that it’s a little challenging to tighten the harness the last bit on my tiny baby. What should I do?
A proper harness fit is really important! We recommend that you make sure that the soft goods are positioned properly on the seat and headrest, and you should have no problem adjusting the harness, even for a small child.

We hope this Q&A has answered most of your questions about the SnugRide Click Connect 40. However, we’ve developed a whole website just to give clear (& interesting!) information, as well as product and installation demonstrations of this revolutionary new car seat. Check it out at www.gracosafety.com.

Happy (safe) riding!

We want you to get in on the celebration! You’re invited to play for a chance to win a Grand Prize worth $5,000 and take part in our daily instant win game for $25 gift cards.

It’s simple. Here’s how to play:

• If you’re not already, become a fan of Graco Baby on Facebook.
• You’ll see a tab at the top of our page that says “Graco-Play-Pages.” Click there.
• There are two ways to play, now through Sunday, September 8:
  • Play for the Grand Prize ($5,000 worth of Graco baby gear!) by sharing your own story how you have loved your Pack ‘N Play or of why you’re excited to use one when your baby arrives. Plan to take a minute to read other mom’s and dad’s inspiring stories.
  • Play our Instant Win Game, for a daily chance to win a $25 gift card. This game is packed with cool facts (for instance, did you know that the year Pack ‘N Play debuted, 1987, “Three Men & a Baby” was a box office hit?). You can return once a day for another chance to win!
  • Later this fall, you’ll have the chance to vote on your favorite story—and the winner will be awarded the Grand Prize Package (worth $5,000).

While you’re there, we would love it if you would help us with a very special and worthwhile project. Just share the Pack ‘N Play celebration with your friends—on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter or via email—and Graco will donate funds (up to $5,000) to Operation Shower. It’s a terrific non-profit organization whose mission is to provide joyful baby showers for military families to ease the burden of deployment, and we feel great about supporting this worthy cause.

Happy birthday to Pack ‘N Play, America’s best-selling playard, and good luck as you enter to win!

With all of that in mind, Graco is announcing that we are eliminating the 40” upper limit in rear-facing mode on the Size4Me™ 70 convertible car seat. The new height limit is that the top of your child’s head must be at least 1” below the bottom of the red head support actuator when the seat is in rear-facing mode. This change in height limit applies to ALL Size4Me™ 70 seats, regardless of when they were purchased.

We’re already getting terrific feedback (and lots of excitement!) about this announcement from the car seat advocate community and from parents across the country. We know you’ll probably have some questions, so below are common questions and the answers from our Graco car seat engineers.

Happy (safe!) riding!

What are the rear facing limits for the Size4Me™ 70 Seat?

Based on continuing child fit studies, Graco is changing the rear facing height limit for the Size4Me™ 70 car seat.  The rear facing weight limit will remain unchanged at 40lb.  We are updating the height restriction to eliminate the 40” upper limit.  The new rear facing limits will be:

• The Size4Me™ 70 CRS is certified for use rear facing with children up to 40lbs. (18Kg).  Some children approaching 40lbs. may be too tall to fit rear facing.  It is important that the top of the child’s head must be at least 1” (2.54 cm) below the bottom of the red head support actuator when using the seat rear facing.  The head support may be placed in any of the adjustment positions provided that the shoulder harness is positioned at or below the child’s shoulders and there is no interference with the front vehicle seats.

These new limits were established to support allow the longest rear facing usage aligned with the new American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines (In April 2011 – the AAP advised parents to keep their toddlers in rear-facing car seats until age 2, or until they reach the maximum height and weight for the seat) while also allowing for proper vehicle fit and to avoid interactions between the adjustable head support and front vehicle seats.  The new limits take into account the significant variation in vehicle rear seats as well as differences that exist in seated child height versus standing height.    

This change is retroactive for all Size4Me™ 70 seats.

What head support positions are allowed in rear facing mode?

There are no restrictions on the head support for rear facing mode.  All positions may be utilized.  Based on our fit studies and the height and weight limits, most children will outgrow the rear facing mode by height and weight in head support positions 4-6.  Since the head support also controls the harness positions, it is important to adjust the head support so that the harness position is at or just below the child’s shoulders in rear facing mode.

Does the 1” rule for the top of the child’s head in rear facing mode apply to the Size4Me 70?

Due to the design of the Size4Me™ 70, the traditional 1” rule does not apply.  This rule was modified to measure the 1” distance from the bottom of the red head support actuator rather than the top of the seat shell.  The top of the child’s head must be 1” below the bottom of the red head support actuator when used rear facing.

Can the Head Support contact the back of the vehicle seat in rear facing mode?

It is OK for the back of the Size4Me™ head support to touch the back of the vehicle seat when installed rear facing providing the following:

1)      The contact does not interfere with the proper installation of the CRS

2)      There is no interference that would create pressure or force on the car seat from the back of the front vehicle seat that would cause the car seat to move or change recline angle.

3)      The car seat can be properly leveled and attached to the vehicle seat. 

4)      The child’s shoulders are appropriately positioned at or below the harness position set by the head support.

Flare is a pattern for anyone who appreciates sleek design coupled with plush comfort. Classic, chic black and grey fabrics are accented with spirited gold piping and subtle concentric circles of the same colors. The Flare collection is perfect for any mom or dad who appreciates fashion and functionality.

Best of all, the Flare Collection includes some of our most popular gear for baby, so you can rest assured that all of your picks will match! Here’s the complete collection—click on each item name below to learn about their great features.

Stylus ™ DLX Travel System

DuoDiner™ LX Highchair

SnugRide®30 Infant Car Seat

Duo 2-in-1 Swing & Bouncer

Ready2Grow™ LX Stand & Ride Stroller

Pack ‘n Play® Playard with Newborn Napper® Station

How do you add a little “flare” at home? How do you love keeping your little one fashionable?

Astoria™ helps keep your little one soothed and amused with its neutral tile print and pops of minty green. We know your confidence as a new parent will grow when you know your newborn is comfy and relaxed in our latest Pack ‘n Play® Playard. This playard features the Cuddle Cove™ Rocking Seat which is the perfect snuggly nest for your little one. The rocker’s gentle vibration and carrying handles that allow you to move your little one from room to room.

Astoria™ is featured on: Sweetpeace™ infant soothing swing, Blossom™ 4-in-1 Seating System, and Pack ‘n Play® Playard with Cuddle Cove™ Rocking Seat

Sable™ is perfect for your tiny fashionista and the first girl exclusive for Buy Buy Baby. This fashion is a modern yet sophisticated pattern with a punch of sangria floral against a black & grey base. We think you’ll especially love this sassy color combination on the UrbanLite™ stroller and matching top-rated Graco SnugRide™ 35. Lightweight travel never looked so good while helping keep your baby safe and secure!

Sable™ is featured on: Comfy Cove™ DLX Swing, Pack ‘n Play® Playard with Newborn Napper® Station, SnugRide® 35 Infant Car Seat, and UrbanLite™ Stroller.

Still looking for another fashion that is even more perfect for your wee one? Check out more Graco fashions and Buy Buy Baby featured products at GracoBaby.com.

Do you prefer a neutral or gender specific fashion gear when planning for baby?

Here is the link to the actual award: http://www.cribsieawards.com/winners2012/category/gear/best-alternative-to-a-crib

We feel very honored that so many parents feel strongly enough about the Graco Pack ‘n Play to not only nominate us, but to vote us to the top. A HUGE thank you to all of you that support the Graco brand!!

 What makes your baby smile this big?

Do you have a picture of your precious little one that you’d like featured in our ‘Babies, Bundles, and Bumps’ series?

I feel blessed to have been touched with the need and yearning for child passenger safety.  People often ask me when I knew, how did I know this was what I was meant to do.  It’s pretty simple actually…  I was a nanny in college – 2 young boys aged 1 and 4 were in my care as mom and dad went off to work.  I think knowing that the safety of these young boys rested in my hands and I didn’t even know how to put the seats into my car sparked the initial fire within.  Their mother just assumed I knew how to install the seats and I, being a naïve 20something, felt somewhat embarrassed to say that I had no clue.  I knew something was wrong when I turned the corner one morning as I headed to the park and the 1 year old’s seat fell over in the back.  (Yes, we corrected the issue that very day when I told the mom about it!!!) Ughhh it pains me to think about it now and I’m so glad nothing serious happened.  That sight from my rear view mirror has never left me, and instead propelled my passion even further.

It wasn’t, however, until I was pregnant with my first son, Colberoo, in 2007 that I realized how much this fire for child passenger safety burned inside me.   I took it upon myself to find out every nitpicky detail about every car seat on the market at the time.  I pondered, researched and ultimately realized this passion was in fact real and would take me to places I couldn’t predict even then.  I spent my lunch hour at my desk at work, creating charts with features for every seat from every manufacturer and what their pros and cons were, price lists and fashion patterns.  I HAD to know. I had to make sure my baby would be safe.  I wanted to use the lesson I learned from those little boys I used to watch to make sure I did it right with my own child.    Ultimately after all that charting, we ended up with our Graco Safe Seat Step 1 (what would now be the SnugRide 32) in the Fusion pattern and loved it – 2 children later (my second son, PJ, was born in 2009), we surely got our “bang for our buck” as the high height and weight limit for this seat allowed us to use it between 15-18 months EACH for my boys.   Love that.

I quickly became the knowledge base for friends and family that cared. People would call to ask tips and tricks, advice on what seat to buy next or how to get their child to stop unbuckling that darn chest clip! (Which, after dozens of calls about this, I am convinced is a 2 year old rite of passage!) Yet those who were the ones who actually needed the advice, who don’t use the top tether, who prefer to use a “belly clip” instead of the appropriate “chest clip” are the ones who wouldn’t buy into it.  They knew I may have “had a clue” but they weren’t convinced.   Soooo, I took it upon myself to prove it to them and do the only thing I could think of that would convince them I knew what I was talking about.  I had to take my knowledge to the next level for them AND for me.  I went and took the 4 day course, and as of last year am now officially certified as a Child Passenger Safety Technician.

It was exactly what I needed to fuel that fire even more.  I was now “armed” with the knowledge and the title. I could make the connections I needed to finally DO SOMETHING about this issue that plagues our families.   Parents think they know, but may just not, may be too scared to ask or may just not realize they’re doing anything wrong. I am often reminded of that 20something version of myself that was too embarrassed to ask.  I am LUCKY enough to have this passion to now be able to teach them.   My story could go on and on and with each interaction I have a humbled heart being able to touch oh so many lives as a technician.  I volunteer at as many seat check events as I can and offer my $.02 to every parent I can.  To me the more seats I can get my hands on, the more people I can make aware, then the more children that are riding safe!

My “Luck of the Irish” continues as a Graco Nation member.   I’ve been able to make some amazing connections with people I definitely would never have met and all because of this group.  Sure I’ve never met any of these people in real life; however, the world of the internet sure can make you feel like you know someone on a genuine, personal level.  I love feeling like I know so much about my Graco family.  It was through this group that Graco recognized my true passion for child passenger safety.  I was contacted months and months ago via email that Graco wanted to donate 5, yes 5, MyRide 65 car seats towards our local SafeKids coalition. I nearly fell off my chair as I read those words.  Really?  5 MORE children who could be buckled up safe and secure just because of how I’ve expressed to them that I yearn to do more!! Amazing.

I had actually planned to hand deliver the seats during a seat check event I was going to that weekend but with some changing of positions and a transition in the coordinator at our SKs coalition I ended up keeping the seats in my attic for when the need arose.  And actually over the last several months I’ve happily placed ALL 5 seats in very good homes and was able to keep children who were riding in either nothing, a booster that was not age appropriate, or expired seats (with parents who had no financial ability to purchase something appropriate) safe from harm because of Graco.   Awesome!

I’ve been able to touch the lives of oh so many since I have been a CPST, however, the families that received these MyRide donations are that much more special to me. I was able to present them with such a gift, the gift of safety!  Every situation has been unique as no two families are the same.   There was “string bean”, a 4.5 year old who at 33 pounds couldn’t fit in a booster yet size wise or legally weight wise; a 2.5 year old who arrived in a backless booster blankie in hand and all;  a mom of a 14 month old who wasn’t going to continue to RF her child because there was no way she was buying 2 MORE seats and basically felt as if she was forced to choose between buying a good long term seat and the safety of her child; a mom who struggled to find convertible seats to hold her children and yet they had to fit in the car she owned, a small 2 door convertible (sometimes you just do what you have to do); and finally a little girl who arrived in an infant (RF only) seat that was strapped in via seat belt but forward facing. Eeeeekkkk!!!   Each of these families had a need and because of Graco and our combined passion to keep children safe, we were able to empower these parents with knowledge and amazing car seats!

Alas 5 children riding in new MyRide 65s, but ultimately because of those donations there was a rippling effect and now 10 children who are safer.  Brothers and sisters are now buckled up secure too!  I feel so honored to have been able to present these seats to the parents and see how amazingly grateful they were.  I love being a technician and am so warmed when parents take the time to make things right.  It makes me think of oh so many other children and parents that might be in the same predicament – parents that need to decide who is worthy of being “more safe” than another sibling or when to spend the money on what seat.   I’m so thankful that Graco offers a wide variety of options in car seats – all of which keep our children buckled up secure.   Again, thank you Graco for your awesome donations!

So I may be Irish and I may be lucky by default, but to me it’s more than that.  I’m LUCKY to have the passion that burns inside me, I’m LUCKY to be a part of the Graco Nation family, and I’m LUCKY to be a child passenger safety technician!

Setting up a nursery for first time parents can get a little overwhelming. There are so many adorable fashions and fun styles available for baby gear these days, it’s hard to choose just one.

While narrowing your search for the perfect pattern, be sure to make a stop in Baby Depot at Burlington Coat Factory. They offer a wide selection of Graco fashions, but don’t think they stop at baby gear though. They also carry a huge variety of your favorite brands for all the other baby essentials like bottles, cribs and even maternity wear. And great news! Now through April 8th, you can also find some extra special deals too!

Check out these prices for the Forecaster™ fashion, a playful geometric paired with a neutral palette. This fashion is a pop of fun that both mom & baby will love.

The Olivia™ collection is featured alongside Forecaster™ in the mailer, and if you are in the market for a new travel system, it’s your lucky day! The Quattro Tour Sport Travel System in Boone™ is only $199.99! The sporty stroller has spring-suspended, all-terrain wheels with front swivel locks for enhanced maneuverability, and one-touch brakes for on-the-go ease.

So whether you are looking for that pretty girl fashion or something more neutral, Baby Depot at Burlington should be on your to go to list. And when you’re in the store, be sure to check out Baby Depot’s great registry program featuring a convenient checklist with everything you’ll need for your new arrival, along with adorable personal registry cards to distribute to your family and friends!

Ready to shop? Visit Baby Depot online or find a store near you.