Weekly Focus: Stretchy Wraps

In the lead up to New Zealand Babywearing Week (10 – 16 October 2011) we will be focusing on the six main types of baby carriers. Last week we started with the pouch sling.  This week we’re focussing on stretchy wraps.  Keep an eye on the  New Zealand Babywearing Week Facebook page too this week for more information about stretchy wraps including how to videos and photos.

Stretchy wraps are made from a 4.5 – 5.5m length of stretchy fabric (knit jersey or interlock fabric) which is tied to the caregiver’s body to create a baby carrier. Stretchy wraps mainly use the Front Pocket Cross Carry as the images in this post show, but you can also do a Hip Cross Carry and a Cradle Carry with a stretchy wrap.  They are able to be pre-tied, i.e. put on before you go out so that you can easily pop baby into the wrap once you get to the shops, park, library, church etc. With a stretchy wrap you can pop baby in and out around 3-4 times before you’ll need to re-tie it.

The image above shows a Front Pocket Cross Carry with a young baby.  Their legs are tucked up inside the fabric and their head is also supported by the carrier fabric.  Baby is worn nice and high, ‘close enough to kiss’, with their face clear of fabric.

This image (above) shows a Front Pocket Cross Carry with an older baby.  The ‘crosses’ have been spread over baby’s body and right up to behind the knees.  This not only creates a comfy seat for baby but also ensures that baby is carried in a position which is optimal for their developing hips and spine. Baby is still worn nice and high with their bottom about level with the wearer’s tummy button.

Stretchy wraps are also great for carrying twins, and fantastic for wearing premature or sick newborns skin to skin.

A note about back carries with a stretchy wrap: although many stretchy wrap manufacturers and retailers say they’re okay for back carries, it is not recommended by babywearing experts for safety reasons.  If your baby pushes against your back there is a risk that the stretchy fabric will give enough for them to fall or get into an awkward and dangerous position on your back.

For more detailed information about stretchy wraps and to find instructions complete with photos, please visit Slingbabies!    Also check out this great post about stretchy wraps on the Babywearing Wellington Blog.

Thank you to Moby Wrap NZ for permission to use their photos in this post.

Remember to check out the New Zealand Babywearing Week facebook page this week for more information about stretchy wraps too.

Article written by Helen MacMillan, My Natural Baby Ltd

New Zealand Babywearing Week Giveaway with The Natural Parent Magazine

Hello everyone.  We’re on the countdown to New Zealand Babywearing Week (10 – 16 October 2011) and are looking forward to celebrating with you.  Over the next couple of months we’ll be offering some fantastic giveaways.  The next giveaway will be drawn once we reach 500 page members over on the New Zealand Babywearing Week Facebook page.

Our 500 liker giveaway sponsor is The Natural Parent Magazine. One lucky ‘New Zealand Babywearing Week Facebook page’ member will be randomly drawn to win a year’s subscription to The Natural Parent Magazine. There will also be a second draw for a copy of the latest issue of The Natural Parent Magazine. (Open to NZ residents only).

The Natural Parent Magazine is a brilliant new source of up-to-date and relevant information for all parents and caregivers.  Drawing inspiration from a dynamic range of experts in the frontline of their fields, the editorial content is an intelligent look at being a parent today, moving away from typical “10 step guide” style mags and towards a more thoughtful read. It is practical, smart and enlightened.

Over the last decade there has been a distinct shift towards a more eco conscious society – a society that wants to cherish its environment and its children. The Natural Parent Magazine will capture the essence of this generation of parents, in its forward thinking look at the world of parenting today.   Attachment parenting promotes the emotional and physical development of children in the most natural way possible. The Natural Parent creates an insight into attachment based parenting; taking evidence based material and translating this into a clear and accessible format.

To be in with a chance to win, join us over on the New Zealand Babywearing Week Facebook page. Then tag yourself in an image of The Natural Parent Magazine in the 500 Giveaway album – that’s it!  Simple, easy.

Winners will be drawn when we reach our goal of 500 likers on the New Zealand Babywearing Week Facebook page.

Good luck to all who enter!  And thanks for helping to spread the word about New Zealand Babywearing Week – the countdown is on . . .

New Zealand Babywearing Week Father’s Day Photo Competition

Father’s Day will soon be here – Sunday 4th September 2011.  We want to celebrate the NZ babywearing Dads out there.  For a chance to win a copy of the latest The Natural Parent Magazine, and a manduca front pouch, share a babywearing photo of the babywearing Dad in your family on our facebook page and send in your contact details by email.  A winner will be drawn randomly on Father’s Day.

The Natural Parent Magazine is a treasure containing articles on intelligent living, connection parenting and health & well being.  The manduca front pouch can be used with any type of baby carrier that has a waist belt by securing it with the velcro strap.  It can also be used with the handy shoulder / waist strap.  Compact yet able to carry all the necessities including your phone, keys, cash, cards, sunglasses, snacks . . .  Total prize value $49.85

So post your images on the New Zealand Babywearing Week Facebook page, then email your name, delivery address and phone number to helen @ mynaturalbaby dot co dot nz  Your entry will need to be received by 9pm on Saturday 3rd September 2011.

Good luck to all who enter!

Winner: Snuggle Bug stretchy wrap

Thank you everyone who has joined us so far over at the New Zealand Babywearing Week Facebook page.  To celebrate our 400 page members we have a Snuggle Bug stretchy wrap in navy blue to give away to one lucky page member.

Snuggle Bug wraps are made here in New Zealand from 100% cotton which has been milled in New Zealand. Snuggle Bug wraps are a one size fits all carrier and are suitable for carrying babies from newborn till about two years of age.

And the lucky winner is:

Paula Hudson

Congratulations Paula! Please email your delivery address and phone number to info @ mynaturalbaby dot co dot nz

Another giveaway will be happening to celebrate 500 Facebook page members – keep an eye out for details.

Here’s to celebrating babywearing in New Zealand.

Helen

Weekly Focus: Pouch Slings

In the lead up to New Zealand Babywearing Week (10 – 16 October 2011) we will be focusing on the six main types of baby carriers – starting this week with the pouch sling.  Keep an eye on the  New Zealand Babywearing Week Facebook page too this week for more information about pouch slings including how to videos and photos.

Pouch slings are a one shouldered carrier suitable for newborns through to toddlers.  One of the most important things when purchasing a pouch sling is that it is the correct size for the wearer.  Always refer to the size guidelines on the sellers website and measure yourself from the top of your shoulder to the opposite hip bone to determine the correct pouch sling size for you. If your pouch sling is too small it will be very tricky to get your baby into it.  If it’s too big you will not be able to carry your baby snugly against your body, they will hang down too low and you will find that you need to have your arm around your baby to keep them secure which takes away the ‘hands free liberation’ possible with a properly fitting pouch sling.

Babies can be carried in several different holds in a pouch sling.  For older babies with good head control and toddlers the hip carry is the most popular hold as shown in the image at the start of this post.  Other holds include the cradle hold:

The image above shows an upright cradle hold which mimics how you would carry your young baby in your arms. Always check to make sure that your baby’s airway is clear – you can do this by making sure that you can fit two fingers under baby’s chin.  If their chin is pressed into their chest their airway will be obstructed – you will need to adjust the positioning of your child in your pouch sling to allow the chin to come up off the chest.  Also make sure that there is no fabric covering your baby’s face.

Another option is the tummy to tummy hold:

You will see in the image above (tummy to tummy hold) that baby’s knees are higher than their bum.  This ensures optimal positioning of baby’s developing hips and spine.  For all holds where baby’s legs are outside the carrier ensure that the fabric of the carrier goes right to the back of the baby’s knees – this creates a comfortable seat for your child and automatically puts baby into optimal positioning with knees up and bum down.

With a pouch sling you can even do a back carry:

For more detailed information about pouch slings and to find instructions complete with photos, please visit Slingbabies!

Thank you to Unido for permission to use their photos in this post.

Remember to check out the New Zealand Babywearing Week facebook page this week for more information about pouch slings too.

Article written by Helen MacMillan of My Natural Baby Ltd.

New Zealand Babywearing Week Giveaway with Snuggle Bug Carriers

Hello everyone.  We’re on the countdown to New Zealand Babywearing Week (10 – 16 October 2011) and are looking forward to celebrating with you.  Over the next couple of months we’ll be offering some fantastic giveaways.  The next giveaway will be drawn once we reach 400 page members over on the New Zealand Babywearing Week facebook page.

Our 400 liker giveaway sponsor is Snuggle Bug Carriers. One lucky ‘New Zealand Babywearing Week Facebook page’ member will be randomly drawn to take home a Navy Blue Snuggle Bug stretchy wrap. (Open to NZ residents only).

Snuggle Bug wraps are made here in New Zealand from 100% cotton which has been milled in New Zealand. The natural fabric breathes keeping you and your baby cool in warmer climates.

There are many benefits from carrying your baby in a wrap. Babies who are carried tend to nurse better, sleep better, and cry less. Snuggle Bug wraps are designed to distribute baby’s weight across the wearers body, making babywearing comfortable, especially for carrying baby for extended periods of time.

Benefits of using a Wrap:

• Snuggle on demand
• Nurse hands-free (okay, mums only)
• Keep up with other activities while keeping baby close
• Great for mums on the go or when caring for other children
• Enhances Bonding
• Beneficial for babies who suffer from reflux or colic as baby is held in a snuggly upright position
• Baby will sleep easier and longer as they are close to the sound of your heartbeat.

Snuggle Bug wraps are a one size fits all carrier and are suitable for carrying babies from newborn till about two years of age.

To be in with a chance to win, join us over on the New Zealand Babywearing Week Facebook page – that’s it!  Simple, easy.

For extra entries in the draw check out these options:

1. Like the Snuggle Bug Carriers Facebook page
2. Update your Facebook status with the following: “I’m in to win with @New Zealand Babywearing Week and @Snuggle Bug”.  You will need to ‘like’ both New Zealand Babywearing Week and Snuggle Bug for the tags to work and remember to make sure your update is shared with ‘everyone’.  To do this click the drop down menu with the padlock icon under your status update and choose ‘everyone’
3. Leave a comment under this post to let us know why you would like to win a Snuggle Bug stretchy wrap.

Good luck to all who enter!  And thanks for helping to spread the word about New Zealand Babywearing Week – the countdown is on . . .

Have you won a 1.3kg bag of Rockin’ Green laundry detergent?

Thank you everyone who has joined us so far over at the New Zealand Babywearing Week Facebook page.  To celebrate our 300 page members we have two 1.3kg bags of Rockin’ Green Classic Rock laundry detergent to give away courtesy of Rockin’ Green New Zealand.

Classic Rock by Rockin’ Green – This classic formula is great for cloth nappies and regular clothes. So use it on everything! This formula is designed for those with middle of the road water, not too soft and not too hard. When in doubt start with classic rock!

Our two lucky giveaway winners may each choose their preferred fragrance available in the Classic Rock range on the Rockin’ Green New Zealand website.  And the lucky winners are:

Olivia Honeyfield

Kerryn Findlater

Congratulations Olivia and Kerryn! Please email your choice of Classic Rock fragrance, delivery address and phone number to info @ mynaturalbaby dot co dot nz

Another giveaway will be happening to celebrate 400 Facebook page members with a prize donated by another New Zealand Babywearing Week sponsor – keep an eye out for details.

Here’s to celebrating babywearing in New Zealand.

Helen