Wayne, NJ–(HISPANIC PR WIRE)–February 13, 2006–Expectant parents have questions, want answers, and have only nine months to educate themselves before their baby is born. In an effort to help parents prepare for the arrival of a child, Babies “R” Us announced the launch of the “Road to Motherhood Tour” in conjunction with Babytalk magazine, Carter’s, GE Healthcare Technologies, and Motherhood(R) Maternity. This program is the first of its kind designed to offer expectant and new parents a wide range of relevant information in a unique and entertaining format.
The “Road to Motherhood Tour” is a custom-designed, self-contained 53-foot trailer, offering information about topics from conception to birth. The vehicle includes a series of self-guided exhibits in nearly 1,000 square feet of space. This special exhibit will travel to more than 100 destinations, including Babies “R” Us stores across the United States, now through November 2006. For more information or specific dates and locations, consumers can log on to http://www.roadtomotherhood.com.
The national launch of the “Road to Motherhood Tour” will take place on Thursday, February 23, in Orlando, FL at the Babies “R” Us store located at 2654 East Colonial Drive.
Expectant mothers and fathers, as well grandparents and parents of newborns can experience each stage of a baby’s development through remarkable footage that combines sophisticated computer animation with state-of-the-art ultrasound technology. Inquisitive parents can view all the stages of pregnancy including when baby offers its first cry to the world at the moment of birth. The experience is highlighted by a re-creation of an ultrasound visit including ultrasound photos of a near-term fetus. The tour culminates in a viewing of a live-to-tape birth of a child in a realistic labor, delivery, recovery, and post-partum maternity area. The exhibit also features a beautiful nursery created by celebrity designer Wendy Bellissimo.
“Providing expectant parents with valuable information is something we do every day at Babies “R” Us,” said Richard Markee, President of Babies “R” Us. “The ‘Road to Motherhood Tour’ offers a unique opportunity for expecting parents to gain valuable knowledge about the developmental milestones of their baby.”
“Babytalk is all about helping new moms learn to trust their maternal instincts – to help them navigate the roller coaster of new parenthood by delivering focused and practical content,” said Greg Schumann, Publisher of Babytalk. “The ‘Road to Motherhood Tour’ provides an original and unprecedented mechanism for Babytalk to extend our message beyond the pages of the magazine and further engage new moms across the country.”
“Carter’s is excited to join Babies “R” Us in this innovative program for new and expectant parents,” said Fred Rowan, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Carter’s, Inc.
“We dress over 2.7 million pregnant moms a year in amazing fashion offered at amazing prices, as well as focusing on encouraging healthy pregnancies. Babies “R” Us is a great partner and we’re proud to share our maternity fashion overview as part of the tour,” remarked Rebecca Matthias, president of Motherhood’s parent company Mothers Work, Inc., and author of 51 Secrets of Motherhood.
The “Road to Motherhood Tour” will also feature an outdoor seminar stage with live daily presentations, specifically designed for expectant parents. Topics include, “Baby’s First Bath,” “Breast To Bottle,” “Diapering 101,” “Happy, Healthy Feeding,” “Prenatal Nutrition,” and “Play, Laugh, and Learn With Your Baby.” These presentations will be offered in partnership with select Babies “R” Us retail partners including Avent, Fisher- Price, Gerber, Huggies, Johnson & Johnson, Mead Johnson, and Medela. These manufacturers have also collaborated to create a gift bag for all attendees that will include a unique program guide along with product samples and coupons. The “Road to Motherhood Tour” is free to the public and a certified Childbirth Educator conducts all seminars.
About Babies “R” Us
Babies “R” Us – a division of Toys “R” Us, Inc. – is the largest baby product specialty store chain in the world and a leader in the juvenile industry, and sells merchandise through 230 stores in the U.S. as well as on the Internet at http://www.babiesrus.com.
About Babytalk magazine
Helping women navigate the emotional roller coaster and practical realities of being a new mom, Babytalk magazine gives its 5.2 million readers a confidence-building mix of news and advice from experts and real moms who “tell it like it is.” The Babytalk franchise includes Babytalk, Babytalk Mom-to-Be and Babytalk First Months magazines. Babytalk is part of The Parenting Group, a division of Time Inc, a Time Warner company.
About Carter’s, Inc.
Carter’s, Inc. is the nation’s largest branded marketer of children’s apparel for ages newborn to six years old. Carter’s, Inc. markets the Carter’s and OshKosh brands, the two most trusted and recognized brands in the marketplace. The company is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. http://www.carters.com.
About Motherhood Maternity(R)
Motherhood Maternity is a brand of Mothers Work Inc., the world’s leading designer and retailer of maternity apparel. Motherhood Maternity offers a huge selection of amazing fashion at amazing prices and can be found at over 1,362 stores nationwide. To place an order online, by phone or for store locations, visit http://www.motherhood.com or
call 1-800-4mom2be.
