… or even humans, for that matter!

When I came across this picture, I just had to share it with you.

I would love to hear your thoughts.

Related posts:

1. Extreme Babywearing
2. Babywearing – My Story

National Breastfeeding Awareness Week runs from 20th – 27th June 2010. The  main  aim  of the campaign is to raise  awareness of the health benefits of breastfeeding, increase  social  acceptance  of  breastfeeding  and  promote  support  for  breastfeeding.

As you will know, breastfeeding has many benefits, and gives babies all the nutrients they need for the first six months of life, as well as helping to protect them from infection and diseases. It also reduces mothers’ chances of getting certain diseases later in life. Breastfeeding also allows you and your baby to get closer - physically and emotionally. So while your child is feeding, the bond between you can grow stronger.

As breastfeeding is best done on demand, feeding whilst using a sling gives great convenience once you know how to do it, and means you can keep covered up if you wish, using the carrier as a cover. Not only that, but the act of babywearing helps facilitate breastfeeding as you produce more milk when your baby is close to you, and by more frequent feeding, so it is perfect if you are having difficulty.

If you’d like some help with breastfeeding using a sling, we have videos to demonstrate how to breastfeed whilst using a sling in our “How To” section, under Breastfeeding and Babywearing.

If you have any of your own tips for how to get the most from breastfeeding whilst babywearing, we’d love to hear them in the comments below!

Photo credit: Leticiamaria on Flickr

http://www.snugbaby.co.uk/administrator/index.php?pshop_mode=admin&page=product.review_list&option=com_virtuemart

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1. Breastfeeding and Babywearing
2. International Babywearing Week
3. “You babywearing hippy freak!”

I am loving the little insights we are getting into the people behind some of the best slings in the UK. This time we have not only a vendor, but the lady who actually designed the Lifft sling. Louise day designed Lifft after being unable to find a quick and easy carrier in which to carry her baby son, and now Lifft is a best selling pouch sling, and the only one scientifically proven to improve your posture!

So, over to Louise…

How, and why, did you begin babywearing?

When I was pregnant with my first son I knew right from the start that I wanted to carry him close and started looking for a sling. My husband bought us the Dr.Sears parenting book and we later found out that the way we felt had a name – attachment parenting! It was so nice to realise we weren’t alone. It made the early days of parenthood so easy.

What made you decide to start up a babywearing store?

I created the Lifft Sling in response to my own need for an easy to use, yet comfortable sling. Perfect strangers stopped me and asked me where they could by my sling so I decided to set up www.Lifftslings.com and haven’t looked back.<

How did you find juggling a family life with running a business?

It’s still fun, especially having just given birth to another baby boy recently! I definitely love my work as it is a product I feel passionate about, and using the product actually makes running a business easier – my newborn is gently snoozing in the sling as I type! I couldn’t be in a better business.

In your opinion, what is the best thing about babywearing?

Because your baby can always see your face, hear your voice and your heartbeat they feel swaddled and secure. This physical closeness promotes bonding between the wearer and baby – and the feeling you get when sharing the most precious ‘sneaky’ cuddles that nobody else knows about just can’t be topped!

What advice would you give to a new mum to help her get the most from her baby sling?

Wear your sling all day. It is so easy to pop your little one in and out of the sling and will really save your back and give you two hands! Listen to your baby as they will tell you how they like to sit in the sling too!

Is there anything you have done during the course of your business, which you would do differently next time?

Relax and remember why I am a Work at Home Mum

How have you found attitudes to babywearing have changed over the time you have been in business?

Babywearing is thankfully becoming more mainstream as mums realise there are so many benefits to it which create a happy contented baby and home life for all the family.

What’s next in the pipeline?

It is an exciting time for Lifft at the moment and we are delighted that new products will be available soon! We will let you know as soon as we can!

If you are a vendor, and would like to feature in Interview With A Vendor, please get in touch.

Related posts:

1. Interview with a Vendor
2. Interview with a Vendor
3. “Sling Slut Does Buggy” Diary – Day Four

We’ve got another vendor for you to meet, and this time it’s Karen O’Brien from Bosies For Baby. As well as selling a great selection of baby carriers and slings through her website, she also hosts parties locally, for mums to get together and try out different slings to find the perfect one for them!

Hi Karen, let’s get cracking…

How, and why, did you begin babywearing?

I had a store bought carrier for my son when he was born (he is now 2), but he soon became too big for it. When he reached 3 months I was having bad back problems from lifting and carrying him so a friend kindly lent me a wrap. I’ve been wearing him ever since!

What made you decide to start up a babywearing store?

It was actually my mum’s idea! She often asked about my slings and I was always saying how difficult it was to find out about different slings unless you know someone who babywears. She suggested I started a shop… the main focus is to give other parents the opportunity to see and try what isn’t offered on the High Street.

How did you find juggling a family life with running a business?

It can be challenging. I try to keep the business more as a hobby rather than a way of earning an income. Whenever I have demonstrations or sling parties organised my son is a good help… either entertaining the other little ones or assisting me in showing how different slings can be used.

In your opinion, what is the best thing about babywearing?

It takes so much pressure off you body… your little ones’ weight is distributed well so you are both comfortable. It’s also a lot easier to get around city centres without a pram!!

What advice would you give to a new mum to help her get the most from her baby sling?

Make sure you are comfortable and your little one is safe and secure. If a sling isn’t working for you, don’t give up… there is a sling out there for everyone. Most good slings will keep their value and there is a big market for second hand slings… so don’t be afraid to give something a go.

Is there anything you have done during the course of Bosies For Baby, which you would do differently next time?

Bosies for Baby is still growing… we’re only into our 8 month. I would have liked to have started with a bigger product range, but was keen to get the business up and running for the sling party side of things. It’s something that I can keep working on.

How have you found attitudes to babywearing have changed over the time you have been in business?

As I’ve said, I’ve not been in business a long time, but I have noticed more and more interest in my demonstrations locally. There also seems to be more and more mums-to-be looking into options for babywearing rather than just prams and travel systems.

What’s next in the pipeline?

Some more products… I’d like to have a good selection of slings for all ages and stages. I’m always on the look out for slings that come recommended by babywearers. I am a firm believer that there’s something out there for everyone… even my husband has his own wee stash of carriers now!

I’m also about to start looking for some mums that would be interested in carrying out sling parties across the UK. I’ve had a lot of positive feedback from local parents about the benefit of seeing and trying slings before deciding on what they’d like.

If you are a vendor, and would like to feature in Interview With A Vendor, please get in touch.

Related posts:

1. Interview with a Vendor
2. Interview with a Vendor

In a new segment on Get Your Hands Back, we will be talking to the owners of some of the best sling-selling websites in the UK, to get a glimpse of what makes them tick, and why they are so passionate about babywearing.

The first interview is with Laura Summers of Petit Poppet, a unique website which offers customers the opportunity to try out slings by hiring them, and donates all the hire fees to SANDS (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death charity).

So Laura, here we go…

How, and why, did you begin babywearing?

I knew when I was pregnant that I wanted to babywear. I couldn’t see who wouldn’t want to! Having said that, Ellen was 4 weeks old before I tried my first sling but it was love at first carry and I knew we were on the road to a large collection.

What made you decide to start up a babywearing store?

Initially, I had no intention of starting a babywearing store. I am an active member of a mother and baby forum where sadly, many mothers were experiencing tragic losses either in advanced stages of pregnancy or shortly after giving birth. I wanted to start a fundraising project for SANDS (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society UK) and happened to stumble into the idea of buying a sling and loaning it out for donations. Within 2 hours I had over 120 responses. I contacted the manufacturer who offered to donate two slings and the rest is history!

When I realised the demand was huge for a try before you buy scheme, I contacted as many manufacturers as I could, the majority of whom donated generously. A website was created to co-ordinate the trials and that was when it seemed logical to become a retailer. In the first six months of trading, Petit Poppet raised over £1000 for SANDS and built a loyal repeat custom base.

How did you find juggling a family life with running a business?

While I was on maternity leave and my daughter was not yet mobile, I found it fairly easy to fit everything in around her nap times. As the business grew, so did her ability to move around and get herself into trouble and this was where it got tricky! I also returned to work 3 days a week and found that the only opportunity to work on the business was after Ellen went to bed. Hopefully, the continued growth will eventually allow me to leave my job and focus entirely on being a work at home mum.

In your opinion, what is the best thing about babywearing?

The list of babywearing benefits is endless but for me, I think the best thing about babywearing is bringing your baby into your world. When I carry Ellen in a sling, she is constantly spoken to by passersby. She is at my eye level and sees what I see. We explore the world together. When she falls asleep she lays comfortably against my chest and cuddles in secure that she is safe and protected.

What advice would you give to a new mum to help her get the most from her baby sling?

I would absolutely recommend that a new mum tries out a sling that she likes the look of before buying. Every baby and wearer has a different requirement and sadly, there is no one size fits all. View your sling purchase with as much importance as your buggy purchase as if you get the right one I guarantee you will be using it more than the pushchair!

Is there anything you have done during the course of Petit Poppet, which you would do differently next time?

Given that I fell into business almost by accident, I had no business plan or ideas of where I was going. Petit Poppet found me really and I’ve just been the facilitator! If I was to plan to go into business again now having learnt what I have along the way, I would make sure I worked to realistic timescales and accepted more help when it was offered.

How have you found attitudes to babywearing have changed over the time you have been in business?

Attitudes to babywearing are pretty positive right now. There has been some media scaremongering in the time that Petit Poppet has been going but by giving honest, positive advice about safe babywearing, customers have felt confident in their purchases and are spreading the word… fast!

Finally, what’s next in the pipeline?

Petit Poppet continues to develop; with an ever expanding range on offer. The business not only benefits the customer, SANDS and me as a business mum but I am also now building a team of agents. The agents demonstrate slings and offer advice on a one to one or small group basis and earn commission whilst doing so. This is offering women choices when it comes to considering return to work options post-baby which is something that is close to my heart. In addition to this, I have just bought a new cloth nappy business which will compliment the products in the existing range nicely and will allow the Petit Poppet ethos to be accessed by an even broader range of customers.

Related posts:

1. Petit Poppet – Try Before You Buy
2. Interview with a Vendor
3. Interview with a Vendor

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission(CPSC) has raised concerns about “bag-style” baby carriers. It is thought that 14 deaths have occurred in the US over the last 20 years, all linked to the “bag-style” sling. UK Sling retailers and manufacturers are taking steps to ensure that parents have the information they need to continue to use safe designs of baby carriers and position their babies in the safest way

One design of sling now seems to have potential risks. In “bag-style” slings, the deep pouch where baby sits puts the baby in a potentially suffocating curved position.Excess fabric with an elasticized edge may cover baby’s face and inhibit breathing. The design may cause the baby’s face to turn in toward the carer’s body, potentially smothering the baby. It also obstructs the baby from the parent’s view, due to the high and gathered side panels.

The majority of baby carriers and slings are still safe to use, if they hold baby in proper alignment and fit snugly by design and instruction. These safe designs of sling include shallow pouch-style slings, ring slings, soft carriers and wrap slings.

Advice for Parents

If you carry your baby in a bag-style sling, Rebecca Ward, of the Consortium of UK Sling Manufacturers and Retailers advises you to contact your local babywearing group through Sling Meet, www.slingmeet.co.uk, for advice on alternative slings. She says, “While we are unaware of any fatalities in the UK in these bag style slings at the present time, we would caution against using them in light of the recommendations by the US Safety Commission”. If you have another sort of baby carrier, Rebecca advises, “No safety problems have been brought to our attention with any other baby carriers. Make sure you read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.” When using a baby sling, the advice provided by the Consortium of UK Sling Manufacturers and Retailers is to follow these basic principles:

Keep your baby close and keep your baby safe. When you’re wearing a sling or carrier, don’t forget the T.I.C.K.S.

Tight
In view at all times
Close enough to kiss
Keep chin off the chest
Supported back

Issued by Antonia Chitty on behalf of Consortium of UK Sling Manufacturers and Retailers 22/03/2010

Media enquiries to Antonia on 0845 643 1874 or 07900 580668

Rebecca Ward: 0117 9082479 or 07525650429

More information on Baby Sling Safety will be added to www.babyslingsafe.com

To find out more about baby wearing and get advice on safe ways to carry your baby there are several trusted websites to help you:

• SlingMeet
• TheBabywearer.com
• Facebook page for Babywearing Safety
• Mothering.com
• LaLecheLeague

Benefits of Baby Wearing

In well-designed products, studies have shown that baby wearing is not only safe, but is actually beneficial. Such studies have shown that quality baby slings and carriers have been shown to save lives, improve health, decrease crying, increase IQ, and facilitate breastfeeding and bonding.^[i]

Studies have also shown that worn babies are happier and spend more time in the quiet alert phase. In this phase they benefit more than their non-worn peers in language development and knowledge acquisition. Babywearing also helps babies sleep better, and physical needs, including breastfeeding, are met more quickly by a close, responsive parent. Millions of babies over time have been worn to their benefit making baby slings and carriers more of a necessity than the often-publicized fashion accessory. ^[ii]

Consortium of UK Sling Manufacturers and Retailers Members

Baba-licious, Baby Armadillo, Baby Bean, Babyhut, Big Mama Slings, BORN, Brightsparkslings, Calin Bleu, Close Parent, CN Sales, Daisy Chain Slings, HippyChick, Huggababy, Kari-Me, Lifft Slings, Little Possums, Mama Natura, Napsack, Natural Connection, Naturally Happy Slings, Natural Nursery, Ocah Carriers, SaSaSlings, Sling Jax, Slumber-Roo, Snugbaby, The Carrying Kind, Wilkinet

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1. Baby Sling Safety
2. Weekly Round Up – Sling Special Offers
3. Dispelling the Myths

UK babywearing website, Slumber-roo, have opened their brand new website, and we think it looks great!

They have everything you need to keep you and your baby cosy. Beautiful, soft baby carriers to hire or buy, organic clothing and handy baby wearing accessories, all wrapped up with lots of useful hints and advice. With great names such as Beco, Moby, SnugBaby and TotsBots, there is a massive choice of all types of baby carrier, not to mention baby leg warmers and changing bags! All in one fabulous website!

They also offer a hire service on some of the carriers, giving you a great way to try before you buy. And at just £10.99 for two weeks, it’s the perfect way to find the best sling for your without wasting laods of cash.

And to celebrate the launch of the new site, they are offering 10% off all carriers throughout Spring, if you quote the code “Blossom” when you place your order.

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2. Try Before You Buy
3. Beco Review

We were lucky enough for Tasha, from “Wahm-Bam!” to send us her account of being a work at home babywearing mum! Thanks Tasha!

Our first baby, Rosemary, was adorable, beautiful, bright and needed lots of attention. It is, of course, quite probable that she needed lots of attention because she was given lots of attention. We hardly ever put her down. She frequently slept on our laps or in our arms. She was almost exclusively breast-fed to sleep and then put down, and put down, and put down… in her crib until she would settle. Often, we just left her in bed with us, as it was much easier to do so. We were never any good at putting her in her crib/cot to fall asleep of her own accord. One cry and we’d pick her up.

Eleanor, our second baby, is now four months old. She’s also adorable, beautiful and bright. She doesn’t need quite as much attention as her sister did; almost certainly because she has to get less attention due to having an older sister. As with her sister before her, we are still fairly rubbish at putting her down in her crib/cot to fall asleep. We can wait for a few shouts, or even a bit of crying, if we’re having to deal with Rosemary, but we still pick her up pretty quickly. Controlled crying (or things of the sort) is clearly not for us.

However, Eleanor falls asleep in a number of different ways, not just on the breast. She’ll fall asleep in her buggy, she’ll fall asleep sitting on someone’s lap, she’ll fall asleep in her bouncy chair, but most of all she’ll fall asleep in her sling.

Our main reason for getting a sling, apart from having heard wonderful things about them from many on-line friends, was for carrying Eleanor around while running after Rosemary. We were given a ring sling by a friend, which worked OK for a while, though I never really got the hang of it and would often get frustrated trying to find the right position. I sensed, though, that there was a lot of potential there, so read up on the different kinds of slings and also looked at and tried some at the local breast-feeding group.

I settled on a stretchy wrap style sling and went for a Kari-Me, though there are plenty of others available in this category. I decided to buy a new one, rather than getting one a bit cheaper off eBay, as we had been given money for Eleanor but had no real need for anything new, already having an atticful of girls’ clothes and boxes and bags of baby and toddler toys. This would be mine and Eleanor’s special treat. And my was it worth it! Whenever anyone asks me what my best baby buy was I answer, without any hesitation, the sling.

Here are some of the things the sling does for us:

• It puts Eleanor to sleep. If she’s having any trouble getting to sleep (which occurs less and less as the months go by) we just need to stick her in the sling and march round the dining table for a few minutes, or even just sway in place, and she’ll go to sleep.
• If she won’t settle in her crib, cot, buggy or anywhere, we can keep her in the sling and sit down and do some work (we both work from home).
• We can take her on buses, trains and tubes without having to fold and unfold a buggy.
• We can dash up to playgroup or along to nursery school with ease, and bring Eleanor in with us when dropping Rosemary off, instead of leaving her outside in the buggy. And it’s a lot easier to hold Rosemary’s hand when crossing roads, too.
• We can walk through the snow, safely and easily carrying Eleanor, instead of struggling with a non-off-road buggy over the crunchy, icy drifts (something which came in very useful during the cold snap). We can walk along muddy, uneven footpaths and up and down grass- or rock-covered hills, which we certainly couldn’t do with the buggy.
• Eleanor can sit facing out when she’s awake and then quickly and easily be swapped round to snuggle in when she’s ready for sleep.
• Eleanor’s eyes can easily be shaded, and her head covered when out and about, rather than struggling with the, very unwieldy, raincover.
• We can wander round the house tidying up, hoovering, and even emptying and filling the dishwasher, while she sleeps or watches (though I probably wouldn’t try cooking at the stove!)

• We can walk up and down steps easily, instead of bump-bump-bumping with the buggy. I always use the sling when going to breast-feeding group and usually when taking Rosemary to ballet, as they both involve lots of stairs.
• This particular sling is incredibly easy to put on and to learn how to use. I put it on twice, looking at the instructions and have not had to look at them since. Everyone else who has tried it (Chris uses it regularly and his mum has used it, too, when she was visiting) has found the same.

For two parents who work from home and struggle to find enough hours in the day to get everything done now that we’re a two-child family, having a sling has made a huge difference. And the biggest benefit of all, has been giving us another way of getting Eleanor to sleep, and a quick one at that.

We really wish we’d discovered them when Rosemary was a baby.

Related posts:

1. “Sling Slut Does Buggy” Diary – Day Two
2. “Sling Slut Does Buggy” Diary – Day Four

The Mini Moby Wrap Doll Carrier is just too cute for words!

To win this gorgeous prize, all you have to do is write a review of the Moby Wrap Baby Carrier.  Your review doesn’t have to be long, and you don’t need to have purchased the Moby Wrap from Baby Bean, but you DO need to have at least tried one out!  ALL reviews (even any negative ones) written up until the 5th March will automatically be entered in a draw to select the winner, who will then be chosen at random.

To write your review, visit the Competition Page; you’ll need to log-in to the site, or register if you are not an existing customer.  You can also choose to review the Organic Moby, UV Moby, Woven Moby D, or Thai Silk Moby D to enter the competition.  By entering your review on Baby Bean you are granting permission for it to be published on their site, and also used in future promotional activity.  Baby Bean will never publish any of your personal information or share your details with anyone.

Good Luck!  Full Terms & Conditions here.

Related posts:

1. Moby Wrap Review
2. Editorial Policy
3. IBW09 Giveaway #4

I came across this video today, and just had to share it with you! Enjoy!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=PU84rDbdu8Q

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