Birdnest system big hit – 4 in 1 baby transport device now on sale

Four years ago Bill Hertzberg, a Bonner County inventor and entrepreneur, was introduced to Cinda and Contance, two Colorado women that invented a unique patented baby product — a baby carrier and sleep environment system which the two women were attempting to place on the market.

At that time Hertzberg and his wife, Anna, were expecting their first child so the subject of babies was very much on their minds.

Cinda and Contance, both moms, had used their own invention for years.

"Moms and babies on the go is really the operative concept behind this invention," said Hertzberg. "The moms that invented this product understood the problem. Moms needed something that would go everywhere — around the house, to exercise class, work, the lake, restaurants, camping trips, the airport. That was the issue."

With a goal toward making the innovative item available to all moms everywhere, the three joined forces.

After nearly four years of "pushing the mud uphill" the product has found its way into the JCPenny Catalog, Target Stores online, 40 Kmart Stores, Babys-R-Us, and many independent juvenile products stores and specialty catalogs.

Wal-Mart was the big fish, the hold out, said Hertzberg.

"We pursued Wal-Mart for over a year, he said. "We initially made contact with the Post Falls Wal-Mart store in February of 2003. We want to demonstrate to Wal-Mart corporate that moms love this item and it sells. This is our opportunity to do just that."

The initial shipment of the Birdnest was put on display in the baby department Tuesday.

"I have a three year old," said Hertzberg. "My wife and I just went through those baby years. Also, we don’t have a lot of family around that live in this area, so we took Harrison with us everywhere and we constantly used our Birdnest."

He said the baby seemed to like it.

"It’s like a little baby protection cocoon," said Hertzberg. "For Harrison it was a warm and comfortable way to be carried; he took to the Birdnest right away."

It was handy for the parents, giving them several options for how to use it.

"For Anna and I, it was super nice because that cocoon, so to speak, was both a backpack, a front carrier, an over-the-shoulders tote bed, or could be set up as a rocker bed — which was indispensable during those full, daylong visits to our friends’ homes hours away in Montana," said Hertzberg.

Their marketing turned the corner when in 2002 they entered into a licensing agreement with Badger Basket, an established juvenile products company, that loved the item.

Badger manufactures and markets the Birdnest nationally, calling it the 4 in 1 Baby Transport System.

"It is exactly just that," said Hertzberg. "This patented innovation is a tote bed, a backpack-style baby carrier, a front carrier, and a rocker all in one."

Now, he said, they are on their way to realizing their initial goal — getting the product to moms everywhere.

Hertzberg said computer industry giant Bill Gates has a Birdnest for his daughter, and said his wife Melinda found it to be very useful, especially when traveling.

Other mothers, said Hertzberg, have given the product glowing endorsements.

"We took our son everywhere with us … to the beach, to restaurants; he slept in it at the hotel," said one. "When we weren’t using it, we could fold it up and put it in a suitcase."

Others said they hadn’t seen anything quite like it, and that the Birdnest was also useful as a nap-time crib when visiting relatives.

"I love just using it around the house as well, as I move from room to room," said another user. "We use it all the time; the Birdnest is probably the most convenient baby accessory we have."