Evenflo is dedicated to reaching out, educating and giving back to children and families. In April of 2010, Evenflo began A Little Life & A Little Love (All N’ All), a partnership between Evenflo and local child-focused organizations and hospitals. All N’ All focuses on social responsibility, reaching the community through philanthropy, hands-on service and legacy projects to create a positive impact on children’s lives.

One All N’ All program is a yearly volunteer commitment at The Children’s Medical Center of Dayton, which is near Evenflo corporate headquarters in Miamisburg, Ohio. Every week, groups of Evenflo employees travel to Dayton Children’s to provide activities and encouragement for hospitalized children. This consistent and dedicated volunteer presence each week greatly benefits the children, as well as gives Evenflo employees an opportunity to directly give back to the community.

One of our favorite volunteer events at Dayton Children’s is sponsoring a Build-A-Bear Workshop each year! This year’s event was held on July 11th and was a huge hit with kids and adults alike. Check out some pictures from this year’s event:

Evenflo and its employees are honored to give back to children in our community through the All N’ All program.

With the presence of warm weather, garage sale signs are popping up on every corner. Although garage sales and online classified sites can be a good place to find great deals, purchasing a used car seat could mean compromising safety. Car seats must never be used once they’ve been in an accident and, by purchasing used, you can’t be sure of the seat’s crash history. You can’t always tell that the seat has been damaged or abused - it could have stress or structural weakness that isn't visible from just looking at the seat.

What about hand-me-down seats from a child’s sibling or from a relative? Even if you’re sure the car seat hasn’t been in an auto accident or misused, you need to check the car seat’s expiration date. Each manufacturer sets an expiration date for its car seats that should be visible on one of the labels on the seat. Most car seats should be replaced every six years, with the exception of car seats made with extended use periods such as the Evenflo Symphony. You also need to be able to find the car seat’s model number so you can verify with the manufacturer that the model number is not under a recall.

How to locate model number and expiration date on  a car seat:

Keep in mind, a used car seat could be missing some of the original parts needed for safety. Do not use a car seat that shows any form of cracks or damage, nor those with missing labels, model numbers, manufacture dates or parts. Make sure you locate or request from the manufacturer the instruction manual for the seat, as installation and use information is specific to each model of car seat. You should also check with the manufacturer to make sure the car seat has all the correct parts. If you cannot verify all of these safety points, the car seat is considered unsafe for use, even if it appears to be in good condition.

Evenflo does NOT recommend purchasing used car seats. It is almost always safer to choose a new car seat for your child. Please don’t hesitate to contact the manufacturer if you have any questions or concerns about a new or used car seat. Our ParentLink team is available to help you with any questions and can be reached at 800-233-5921 (U.S.) or 800-265-0749 (Canada).

Car seat safety is an important focus for parents – and expectant parents. Car seats save children’s lives, and that education is crucial for parents and caregivers to make informed decisions about car seat safety.

At Evenflo, our car seat engineers work every day to bring parents the latest in functionality and style, with safety being a foremost concern. All of our car seats are designed and tested for structural integrity at energy levels approximately two times the federal standard.

Besides car seat safety, another important factor parents should consider is car seat installation. Proper installation of a car seat is critical for car seat effectiveness, but it can be challenging, especially for new parents.

Fortunately, certified car seat technicians are  in your community to check for proper installation and fit for your child, or even install your child's car seat in your vehicle for you. The best news is that it’s FREE!

In March, Evenflo hosted a continuing education class for our staff car seat technicians, as well as local police, fire and obstetric professionals. Continuing education for car seat technicians is critical, as car seat guidelines continue to evolve and state laws change.  

Here are some highlights of proper car seat use:

§  Select a car seat based on your child's age, height, and weight and make sure you read the corresponding limits for the car seat you are purchasing.

§  Follow your car seat manufacturer's instructions and your vehicle’s owner's manual on how to install the seat, after reading all the instructions completely.

§  Once installed, make sure the seat doesn’t move back and forth or side to side more than one inch, in any direction.

§  If using a harness, make sure it is snug on your child and not twisted, and the chest clip is placed at arm pit level.

§  If using a belt-positioning booster, the shoulder belt should fit snugly across you child's chest, crossing the shoulder between the neck and arm. The lap belt should fit snug and low over the hips and thighs.

§  Keep your child in a car seat or booster until they can sit properly in a seat belt.  For most kids this is around 8 years old or 4’ 9” tall.  Check your local state for child restraint law requirements.

Remember – if you’re not sure your seat is installed correctly, find a certified car seat technician in your community for a safety check.

Other helpful information:

Car seat guidelines

Finding a certified car seat installation technician

Download the Pregnant Woman’s Guide to Buckling Up

Evenflo’s new Bebek bottle is really different.  Yes, really! We have lots of family and friends who have tried the bottles and trainer cups – and can’t stop talking about them! Let us show you why.

The Evenflo Bebek bottle is designed for comfort – for mom and baby. The unique, wide base nipple is designed to be a natural extension of mom, making the transition between breast and bottle easier for baby and encouraging baby’s snuggle reflex. This, combined with an easy-to-hold bottle shape, allows mom and baby to relax and bond while feeding. Plus, this bottle is very modern looking – a great combination of comfort and style. 

Another feature that makes Evenflo Bebek bottles different is the Proflow nipple. Proflow nipples are truly innovative. Proflow nipples rapidly vent while releasing air bubbles into the bottle – not into baby’s tummy. Less air in the tummy results in less gas, fussiness and colic. Wonderful, right? That’s not all. Proflow nipples were actually created to address common concerns moms had with other nipples on the market.

Mom’s concerns about other nipples include:

1. Inflexible nipples are difficult for baby to stretch while feeding, making

baby work harder.

2. The nipple collapses causing baby to release nipple, resulting in more air in

baby’s tummy

3. Milk waste with overly wide nipple

4. Complicated venting systems are confusing and tiresome to clean

Evenflo Bebek’s Proflow nipples were designed with mom in mind:

1. Proflow nipples are much more flexible than other tested nipples – making

them more like mom. 

2. The superior nipple vent makes nipple collapse nearly impossible.

3. Proflow widens baby’s latch while still allowing for a healthy feeding angle

without milk waste

4. The nipple is one piece! No putting back together or worries of losing parts

in the garbage disposal or dishwasher.

But what about when it’s time for baby to move from a bottle to a cup? That’s where the Evenflo Bebek Trainer Cup comes in!

The spout is really soft, making it gentle on baby’s teeth and gums while helping transition baby from bottle to cup. The valve and spout are one piece – no more searching around in the drawer or cabinet looking for the other part! One other great thing is that the infant bottle bases are interchangeable with the trainer and toddler lids. Plus, the spout has a cute happy face on it – for your happy baby! The triple handles are easy for baby to hold – and available in three stylish colors.

Feed. Snuggle. Bond. That’s what Evenflo Bebek is all about.

Have you tried Evenflo Bebek?  Do you have questions? Comment below!

For more information on the Evenflo Bebek collection visit Evenflo.com. Evenflo Bebek is currently sold in store at BuyBuy Baby, Meijer and HEB and online at BuyBuyBaby.com and BedBathandBeyond.com.

What inspires you? At Evenflo we are inspired everyday by the families that not only purchase our products, but also our own families. Walking through the Evenflo hallways, you see pictures of our smiling children and tacked up drawings that our little ones made at home and school.  If you squint hard enough, you can even see what some of the drawings are supposed to be!

Evenflo’s latest fashion collection – Crayon Scribbles – is inspired by the fun designs young children often make. But how do we get from our kids’ scribbled papers (or walls) to this fashion-forward print you see on our travel system, highchair, playard and shopping cart cover? We asked Evenflo’s Fashion Director, Jodi Cranston, to tell us how she converts everyday inspiration into great Evenflo fashions…

Jodi, how did you come up with the fashion for Crayon Scribbles?

My inspiration came from the loops and scribbles often found in a child’s work of art. I love that that there are no boundaries and everything appears simplistic with a touch of whimsy.

Crayon Scribbles is meant to exude a fun energy for both mom and baby. I wanted the color palette to look fresh and lively, while remaining true to key color trends. The mood board above shows some of the inspiration for the fabrics that emerged for Crayon Scribbles – kids playing, creating artistic masterpieces and having fun!

Crayon Scribbles is a fun new design to help keep baby looking stylish from home to road. The collection is available exclusively at Wal-Mart.

Download this great Crayon Scribbles coloring sheet for your little Picasso:

Find out more about each:

Journey 200 Travel System

Modern 200 High Chair

Portable BabySuite 300

Multi-Use High Chair and Shopping Cart Cover 

What do you think about Crayon Scribbles? Do you have questions for our Fashion Director, Jodi Cranston?  Comment below! 

Okay I have a confession to make. I’m not perfect. I wasn’t a perfect kid, I wasn’t a perfect student, I wasn't a perfect single, workingwoman and I am not a perfect parent. Whew, glad I got that off my chest. Of course I knew all of this when I became a parent, but that didn’t stop me from buying into the sterilized view of parenting. You know what I’m talking about. Those warm, glowing, everyone’s happy mothers who never yell at their children or beat themselves up when they do ‘that which makes us human.’ In other words, they never make mistakes.

Well, let’s just say it didn't take but a few months before I blew a crater-sized hole in that way of thinking. I was going out on one of my first outings with my daughter, all by myself. I had everything packed – diapers, pacifiers, diaper pad (for her) breast pads (for me). Yep, I was feeling pretty darn good about my efforts, until she had a, um, what’s the best way to describe this, a blowout. In the car. Then screamed for a mile and a half until I could pull over and see what was going on. In that long list of things in the diaper bag, notice one missing? Wipes! Yes, I had no wipes to help in the er, em, cleanup. So I punted. Once I determined what the problem was (and it wasn’t that difficult), I went to the nearest fast food restaurant, bought a large drink and asked for a ton of napkins. Using the bottle of water in my bag (see, I had nearly everything) I wet the napkins and gingerly patted my princess’ bottom. Was it the perfect situation? Nope, not even close. Did it work, you bet.

From that I learned three crucial things that have stayed with me through the parenting journey.

1. Laughter helps, A LOT: If for nothing else, than it keeps you from wanting to cry! You think I didn't want to do that when the smell overtook my car, or as I was trying to pull the car over safely and get my baby taken care of? Whew. When it was all said and done, the thought of that much, em, stuff, coming out of that beautiful baby’s bum, was pretty funny.

2. Learn from your mistakes: In fact I don’t even like to think of them as mistakes as much as lessons along the path. You can be certain of this; I never forgot wipes again. You know why? Because that experience taught me to keep a checklist, (similar to the one HERE on the Evenflo site) in one of the diaper bag pockets. Yes, I know it seems a bit much, but it kept me from the horror I experienced that afternoon.

3. If they judge, you don’t need them: Motherhood is hard enough without the few who never make mistakes (they’re lying) standing in judgment of those of us who do. If you make a mistake and someone gives you a hard time about it or questions your ability to be a good parent as a result, you really don’t need them in your life.

Now, I have to be clear about one thing; a kid with a poopy diaper in your car is a minor parenting foible. But there are some mistakes, like overlooking the proper installation of a car seat or leaving a baby unattended, can never be allowed to happen.

The thing about motherhood is that sometimes you’ll feel you’re batting a thousand; other times you’ll wonder why you’ve been entrusted to care for something so small and helpless. And sometimes those feelings will come on the same day. Along with the above tips, I would add this, understand you are not the first to make whatever the dreaded mistake is, nor will you be the last. You, and your child, will survive it; heck, kids have been doing it since the beginning of time. Take comfort in that.

Good luck mommy!

-Rene Syler, aka Good Enough Mother

It’s February and you know what that means? It’s all about love. Chocolate hearts, cards with warm sentiments, sharing it with those who mean so much to us. But this month, instead of thinking about how much I love my husband, I switched it up a bit and put my kids in there. I really wanted to explore why I love being a parent.

Now look, you know as well as me that it’s not all wine and roses, something I talk about a lot. I try to paint a realistic view of parenting, the joys as well as the pains, and there are plenty of both. My challenges now are a little bit different in that my little ones are not so little (in fact, one of them is taller than me) and they talk back. A lot.  But even with that said, I still love being a mom.

Today I was thinking a lot about it and what exactly it was that I loved so much about it. I think it’s different for every stage I’ve experienced with my kids.

LOVE IS-A TRUE SMILE: I’ll never forget when my daughter smiled at me for the first time. Of course she had done it before but those gassy grins don’t count. But when she was about eight weeks old, she broke out into a huge grin in response to my cooing at her. My heart fluttered so wildly I thought I might faint. I still feel that way sometimes.

LOVE IS-GENUINE EMOTION: To me, there are few things better than being greeted by a toddler.  You remember don’t you? They spot you from across the room and drop whatever it is they were doing to run to you and clasp their plump little hands around the back of your neck, completely pure in their adoration.  They don’t even have to say, “I love you” since it’s showcased in the most transparent fashion.

LOVE IS-REAL CARING: My kids are teenagers now and sometimes it’s hard to get a gauge on what they’re feeling, since most of their answers to my questions are monosyllabic. But the other day, I slipped and fell on the ice. My son dropped his book bag to come help me up, and then took over the role of salting the rest of the driveway. My daughter, as soon as she got home, walked over to the cupboard to get me some pain relief medication. Each in their own way demonstrated true care and concern for me and it made my heart swell.

LOVE IS- ALL THAT AND MORE: I have no idea what the next several months or years may bring. But I do know that even in my perfect imperfection, my children love me and you know what that means? I did something right. All those nights I lay awake wondering if I was causing irreparable damage because I wasn’t “doing it right” were just wasted energy. Parenting is such a visceral thing, given there’s no handbook that comes with that 8-pound baby.  So even though I was feeling my way through the day (and continue to) it’s moments like this that make me see that clearly I’m doing something right.

What about you, what do you love about being a parent? Which of your kids’ age did you love best and why?

Evenflo Savvy Parenting Expert Rene Syler, founder of Good Enough Mother

Time to get moving!

In November you said you would do it after Thanksgiving. Then the cold weather set in and those Christmas cookies were so yummy. But now it’s January and you can no longer deny that those jeans that you worked so hard to get back into after the baby, you now have to work doubly hard to get zipped.  Let’s not even talk about trying to get them buttoned! Yep, it’s time for a change.

Trust me; this is something I know a lot about. I have gained and lost more weight than I care to talk about. I’ll be the first to admit: It’s hard! That doesn’t mean impossible; a few consistent small changes can add up to big results. Here are four things to remember:

BE REALISTIC:  Right after I had my babies, I was so, well, squishy. You know what I’m talking about. Soft and round all over and I couldn't wait not to be. I embarked on a rigorous diet and exercise program that left me tired and irritable and oh, did I mention STARVING?!? So the first thing in the march to reclaim your body is to be realistic. Remember it’s going to take a little bit of time to get that weight off. Sleep is also a big part of weight loss so it’s imperative you get your rest too.

MAKE SMALL CHANGES:  I’m going to let you in on a secret; I have a RAGING sweet tooth that derails even my most basic attempts at fitness. Well, this year, I decided that instead of saying things like, “I’m not going to eat candy this month,” I’ll say, “I’m not going to eat candy TODAY.”  In other words, I’ll take that big, hairy, unwieldy goal and break it down into something more manageable. I know we’re only a few weeks into the New Year but I am pleased to report, it seems to be working. Try it!

BE CONSISTENT: This is critical! Look, in high school you didn't learn French by studying it one day a week, right? You needed to study it every day, review it and work hard on the stuff that didn’t come easy to you. It’s the same thing with your fitness goals; you can’t expect to see real change if you dip in and out, averaging one workout every other week. Commit to working at it every day.

MAKE IT A PRIORITY:  Ah yes, this is the one that’s hardest for us moms, isn’t it? I always say it’s because we’re living so many other people’s lives that ours sort of gets squeezed out of there. Pretty soon it’s easy to scribble out the workout because of a play date or sick child. Well, no more! Time to make exercise, and you, a priority! That mean’s putting it in your calendar, circled in red, with reminders! As a member of Evenflo’s Savvy Parent campaign, I know real life can sometimes derail even the best of plans, so make sure you have a backup plan. If you can’t get out to the gym, pop in an exercise video or find one on YouTube and get a work out in at home. Double the fun by putting baby in an ExerSaucer or  Johnny Jump Up in the room with you, so she can get moving too.  But don’t give up just because plans change; remember the long-term goal, which is good health so that you can be the best to you and the others in your life. 

Evenflo Savvy Parenting Expert Rene Syler, founder of Good Enough Mother

Hey Moms!

It’s that time of year. You know what I’m talking about. The time when you place undue amounts of stress on yourself, hoping the shutter speed will be fast enough to catch your cherub (with just the right amount of blush in the cheeks) so you can show him/her off to the world. You plan meticulously, call every photographer within a 56 mile radius, stay up for hours the night before, making sure the baby is sleeping and when his big day comes…… you will stress yourself sick in an effort to get THE PERFECT PICTURE.

*Sigh* Okay, pull up a chair and a cup of coffee and listen to your Good Enough Mother. There is no perfect. I know you’ve heard that before. You may have even SAID it before. Now I want you to believe it! The thing is the entire outing will be less stressful if you don’t make the stakes so high.  With that in mind, here are three quick tips:

• Start with a well-rested baby: You already know this to be true, yet time and again we think about everything but the well-rested baby. We’re worried that we’ll lose the deposit on the studio, she won’t have another slot for months or the cherub will never be as cute as he or she is right now. Stop. Those are artificial deadlines. So what, the holiday pictures go out in February (I’ve done that). If the baby is rested and smiling, that’s a small price to pay.

• A well-rested mommy helps too!: You probably don’t need me to tell you, but when you’re fatigued the world is one, hot, smelly-diaper of a mess. I am not kidding! If you want an accurate idea of what the picture will look like, you’ve got to be able to see through more than blood shot eyes. Remember when everyone said, “Make sure you nap when the baby naps?” Do that!  Even if baby doesn't smile on cue, it will all be okay, because you’ll have your wits about you.

• There's no such thing as perfect:  You’ve heard that before? Well, allow me to reiterate it. Perfection only occurs in fairytales, where people have babies and are back in their straight-leg, size zero jeans in three weeks. This is real life; welcome to it. That means cranky babies, pimples on picture day or maybe both. So you have to punt. Yes, the photo may not be ideal, but when you look at it in its perfect frame you’ll remember what a great time you had when you relaxed and just let it be.  You can’t control bad weather or baby acne, and pretending that you can will only cause more stress for you and baby (then see what kind of photo that gets you).

My kids are a little bit older now, but ask me how many perfect photos I got when they were babies. Yep. Zero. But the memories I have of each one? Those are just right.

What’s your secret plan? How will you attempt to get a decent baby picture this holiday season?

By Evenflo Savvy Parenting Expert Rene Syler, founder of Good Enough Mother

You wouldn’t really blame me, would you, if I said I feared the holiday season? It’s not the idea of cooking (though that terrifies me) or the idea of company for more than three days (that terrifies me too). No, for the same reasons Pavolv’s dogs salivated at the sound of the bell, I have a conditioned response to the holidays and unfortunately it’s not a good one.

To be fair, I should say that I USED to fear this time of year. I’m getting over it. This time five years ago, I heard though the grapevine that I would be losing my high profile job. This happened as I was finalizing plans to have my mastectomy. Two years later, during the same time of year, I was hospitalized with a respiratory infection that resulted in my hair falling out. A year later, a job that I just KNEW was going to change my luck and give my family a firm financial footing, didn’t materialize. And on it went.

As I said, that’s all changing because I decided that instead of looking at what I didn’t have, what I had gone through and wondering why me, I was going to start looking at the stuff that was going right in my life. So here they are five things I am thankful for:

• My Family:  I know everyone says that, but I really mean it! I think of my family as a buffer against the storms of life.  I’ve got a great husband who’s been with me through this time of transition, both physical and occupational. I have these two great kids, who remind me daily that I am doing something right. It’s such a joy to watch them mature into young adults. Even better when they seem to now understand the basics of good hygiene! 
• My Health: I couldn’t say that a few years ago. Weak from my five-hour operation, it took the better part of a year for me to regain my strength after my mastectomy. I wasn’t sure I would ever be the same. It took time, but with diet and steady exercise I’m as strong as I used to be. Well, almost.
• My Hair: This was the biggest surprised of all. I have always had a love-hate relationship with my hair, mainly because I was trying to get it to do something it didn’t want to or wasn’t designed to do (sound familiar?). When my hair fell out I decided no more chemicals and I was going to accept it for what it was. That was pivotal in my reinvention because it was around that time I really started accepting ME for who I was. Plain ol’, imperfect, Good Enough Mother!
• My Home: I complain about the housework. I complain that I can’t close the refrigerator door because there’s too much stuff inside. I complain that I can hear the kids shouting from their rooms. But the reality is that the housework is done in the house that I own; the full refrigerator means no one will go hungry and the kid’s have their own rooms. Time to stop complaining.
• My Passion: I get tired and like everyone else, sometimes I want to give up. But I don’t. Why? Because I feel like, at this late age, I found my life’s work. I’m happy to share my health and hair stories as well as my parenting foibles if it makes women feel better about the job they are doing as wives and mothers. I want them to be okay with taking themselves off the bottom of the “to-do” list and to understand that by taking care of themselves, they truly ARE taking care of their families.
• So I’ll be counting my blessings as I peer over the dinner we could afford to buy and that my husband made (which is of course, one more thing to be thankful for). I’ll rejoice in the one hour ceasefire among the warring factions and marvel, like I do every year, at how grown my children are and how blessed I am to be a part of their lives. No one said this life would be easy but even in the struggle it is a beautiful thing.

What will you be thankful for this holiday season?

By Evenflo Savvy Parenting Expert Rene Syler, founder of Good Enough Mother