Natural Nursery Blog

At the end of this month we have the mammoth task of stock taking, so to make our life easier, and give you the opportunity to bag a bargain, we are holding a stock clearance sale.

You can find our sale section on the website, where we already have organic baby clothes at up to 70% off, reduced organic toiletries plus bargains on reusable nappies.

Each day, we will be posting about a fabby new bargain, so don’t forget to watch this blog, follow us on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook – that way you will get to hear of the best bargains first.

Today, we have further reduced the price of the Huggababy Ring Sling.  We only have limited colours and sizes left and at £24.99 each that’s a saving of £15 so they won’t hang around for long.

A baby wrap is a long piece of cloth, especially chosen to carry your baby. There are no buckles, no rings. The very simple design gives you flexibility to carry your baby anyway you want. You just wrap the fabric around you and pop the baby in.

Whether you carry your baby on your front, on your back or for breastfeeding, it will be much easier if you choose your baby wrap’s size carefully. Your baby sling should be just long enough to wrap around you easily without leaving long tails behind you. You could trip over or they could get caught. It should be long enough so you can carry in all the positions you wish to use.

A stretchy baby sling – like the Calin Bleu fleece baby wrap – will usually come in one size. The tails are tapered in order to be very thin at the end. You can easily wrap the fabric one more time around your waist and tie in the front or on the side.

If you and your partner are of very different size and could use baby slings of different sizes, it’s best to choose the shorter size. The smaller parent will find it much easier to use the baby sling if it’s not too long. The larger parent can use another baby carrying position which uses less fabric, like the simple wrap carry.

Ergo baby carrier – ERGObaby makes baby carriers that are suitable from birth to toddlers. The soft structured carriers can be used on your front, on your back or on your hips. They come in a range of fashionable colours with matching accessories. The infant insert allows you to adapt this baby backpack for a newborn.

Fleece – a baby sling can be made of various fabric, and fleece is a lovely option. It is soft, durable, has just the required ’stretchiness’ to snuggle and support your baby. It is easy to wash, doesn’t even need to be tumble dried and will protect your baby from the weather.

Forward Facing – Many parents like carrying their baby facing forward i.e. facing away from the mother. Many baby sling manufacturers recommend that this forward facing position not be used at all or be used for short periods of time.
When the child is placed facing forward, his spine is curved back, putting pressure on his lower back, and leaving the weight of the head resting on his spine. Babies’ spine is still too fragile to hold the weight of their head, especially if you’re planning to carry for longer periods of time. It also means that the child has no contact with his mother. He takes the world full on without having mum’s reassuring voice, heartbeat and scent to help him ‘interpret’ what’s going on.

Frog position – The child’s optimum position in a baby sling is often referred to as being in a frog-like position. This is the position that allows his spine to develop harmoniously.
His back should be curved forward, his head able to rest on your chest or on your back if he falls asleep. His legs should be wide apart, slightly flexed and the knees higher than his bottom. Try squatting and resting your bottom on your heels, that’s pretty much the position you’re aiming for your baby.

There are so many baby carriers to choose from, it can feel a bit daunting to know where to start. Add to this the various types of baby slings, the acronyms and we have some very confused parents. Here is a quick glossary to baby slings. We hope this helps

Asian carriers, Asian inspired baby carriers (ABC) – There is a lively tradition of baby carrying in the Far East. Each country will have a different variation: Mei tai (China), Onbuhimo (Japan), Podegi (Korea) for example. Many baby carriers available today are ‘inspired’ from these traditional baby carriers and adapted them to the needs of Western mothers. The Napsack baby is an Asian baby carrier.

Baby backpack – this wide term refers to the baby carriers which are most suited to back carries. It doesn’t mean that they can’t be used for front carries but they are particularly easy to use on your back. The Ergo baby carrier is an example of a baby backpack.

Babywearing – Babywearing is another word for ‘baby carrying’. Imagine baby slings being so comfortable that you could ‘wear’ them for hours, just like a coat and carry your baby in it as much as he needs/wants to.

Back carries – Back carries refer to all the positions where the baby is carried on the parent’s back. Most baby slings are suitable for back carries although some might be more suited than others. Soft carriers, like mei tai, or baby backpacks are easy to use on your back.

Braiding – Baby wraps are much easier to use when the fabric is soft and ‘floppy’. Some wraps are soft straight out the packet, others will need time and use to soften. To speed up the softening, you can sit on the wrap or braid it: knot it over and over until the fabric softens. Also true for some ring slings.

Calin bleu – A brand of baby wraps made in the UK. Calin Bleu specialises in light and soft baby wraps, easy to use and suitable from birth to toddlers.

DYI slings – Making your own baby sling can be fun. Many mums can make their own baby sling. For your safety, make sure you follow the sling sewing instructions carefully. Choose good quality material and rings (Slingrings.com are the best). For a wrap, a simple piece of cloth suffices. For a ring sling, a pouch, a soft structured carrier or a mei tai, you will find dozens of sling sewing instructions online.

Stay tune for the rest of baby slings glossary…

Baby wraps can have a bit of a learning curve but once you have mastered the art of wrapping your baby, they are incredibly comfortable baby slings. Here are some of our tips to make your baby wrap more comfortable.

Choose your baby wrap carefully. If your baby is a newborn or you’re shopping while you’re pregnant, stretchy wraps are a lovely option. They are easy to use, especially for breastfeeding and feel snug. If you’re baby is more than six months old or for a toddler and you wish to have one wrap to take you until toddlerhood, then a woven wrap would be a better purchase. All baby slings have their advantages and drawbacks. Having the baby wrap that is best suited to how you would like to use it will be much easier.

Read the instructions and the manufacturer’s information carefully. Most manufacturers will recommend one carry as the easiest to start. It might vary depending on the type of baby wrap. For back carries, the secured back carry is much easier for stretchy wraps than other types of back carries. The pocket carry is easier with a stretchy wrap and trickier with a woven wrap.

Wash your baby wrap once or twice. Make sure you double check the manufacturer’s washing instructions. Some wraps can be tumble dried, others are best lined dry. Some will be soft right out of the packet, others will need softening. The best way to soften your baby wrap is to use it. You can also sit on it any time you sit down, in the car, on the sofa, at the computer, at diner… Some babywearers also recommend braiding the wrap, basically knotting it over and over until the fabric softens. A soft baby wrap will be much easier to use.

Think of your baby wrap as three thirds: the top hem, the middle and the bottom hem. When we say ‘tighten the top hem’ it’s not just the top hem but the top third of the wrap. The bottom hem keeps the baby in place and high on your back, support your baby’s thighs wide apart. The middle third forms a pocket for his bottom and his rounded back. The top hem holds the baby snuggly against you. He doesn’t back, which would force you to lean forward to compensate. Neither of you would be comfortable. When all three parts of the baby wrap are adjusted properly, you are able to stand straight with no discomfort to either of you.

Apply these tips and your baby sling should feel a lot more comfortable. If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch, we’re here to help.

Prepare the next generation of babywearers!

Children love colouring pictures, and familiar pictures in particular. These images of mums carrying babies in their baby slings will appeal to them.

Award-winning British artist Susan Cook of Picture Dreams, has produced these beautiful drawings of babies in baby slings for your little ones to colour-in.

You can download the A4 version as a jpg (right click on the large image and choose print) or as as pdf. If you don’t have a printer, email us your address and we’ll be happy to pop some in the post for you.

Can be reproduced only for personal home use. For group use, please contact us.

Click on the images to see the high resolutions:

Earlier, we started giving tips and information on carrying your baby on your back. Here is the second part of this article. We look forward to hearing from you and hope to continue adding your babywearing advice.

The manufacturer of your child carrier often recommends one back carrying position as the easiest to learn. Read that carefully and try that first. For example, tying a knot in the front with a baby wrap makes the rest much easier.

Baby should be sitting deeply in the baby sling. His legs should be spread wide apart, his knees flexed and slightly higher than his bottom. This is called the frog position and will be essential both for your baby’s comfort and yours.

Make sure the fabric of the child carrier is stretched widely across his back and stretching from the thighs to the neck.

The baby sling should feel snug and baby should be carried high. If it is well adjusted, you don’t need to lean forward or backwards to compensate for your baby’s weight. You should be able to carry your baby for a couple of hours without the need to tighten your baby sling along the way.

Once you’re more confident back carrying, you can experiment different positions. It is always surprising to parents and professionals that children seem to have their favourite position. Some children like to have their arms out, other their arms in, some will only tolerate to be carried high on your back in order to see above your shoulders while others won’t mind. Some parents like carrying high on their waist, others lower on their hips…

You could also email us a photo of your baby in the baby sling so we can help you adjust it. It helps if you send a photo of the back, the side and front.

Keep in mind that some baby slings are easier than others to use on for back carries. Baby wraps are a bit more complicated to learn to use but very comfortable once you’re used to it. A soft structured child carrier is easier to learn but offer less flexibility. If you need any help choosing your baby carrier, don’t hesitate to contact us.

Remember you can also find experienced ‘babywearers’ locally on SlingMeet.co.uk. They will be delighted to help you learn to carry your baby on your back.

Keep trying, the pleasure of carrying your baby on your back is worth the effort.

These are our tips. Have you found something that works for you and your baby? We’d love to hear from you and share them with other babywearing parents…

Most baby slings can be used to carry your baby on your back, at least that’s what it says in the product description. However becoming confident enough to carry your baby on your back when you’re out and about and others are looking can feel a bit daunting. Many parents give up and resort to using a buggy. It doesn’t need to be so, learning to carry your baby on your back takes a bit of practice but once you get used to it, it gives you a great sense of freedom and comfort.

Here are a few pointers to help you get started.

Choose your baby sling carefully. Make sure that it is suitable for your baby’s age. For example, the Ergo baby backpack is suitable from birth for front carriers with the insert and can be used on the back only from 6 months.

Read your baby sling instructions carefully, take the time to watch some videos on the internet.

Take your time. Don’t try to rush and do it as quickly a possible, it would only make you and your baby nervous and flustered.

Learn step by step. First pop your baby on your back without a baby sling, just the motion of placing your baby on your back as -you would play with your baby. Both you and your baby how his weight feels on your back, where he’s positioned, what feels the most natural…

Practice on a soft surface with another adult around. It doesn’t necessarily help if the person tries to hold the child on your back or help you with your baby sling but they can help make sure that your baby is safe.

Choosing a key phrase like ‘lie down’ and repeat it regularly will slowly teach your baby to sit still while you are getting him in the baby slings. You’ll be surprised how quickly this technique can help quieten the ‘wrigglest’ toddlers.

This is just the start… keep reading for more tips on how to use your baby slings on your back.

It is still pretty cold out there! Going out with your baby is difficult when you’re worried about the rain, the snow, the cold, the wind (or all of them pretty much at the same time!). You may wonder if your baby will be cold.

Time to get yourself a Calin Bleu fleece baby sling!

Made of ultra light micro fleece, the Calin Bleu baby slings have many advantages:

• Ultra light fleece to make sure you’re just comfortable: not too cold, not too hot.
• No need for a bulky coat, just pop your coat over your baby.
• No need for a bulky baby snow suit, the fleece counts as one layer.
• Some warm baby socks and a baby hat are all you need.
• Easy to use, the perfect baby sling to learn to wrap your baby.
• Easy to care for, pop it in the washing machine. It dries so quickly you don’t need to tumble dry it.
• Perfect for reflux babies, can be wiped down until the next wash.
• Extremely soft, softer than most micro fleece you will have ever seen.
• Suitable for children with sensitive skin.
• No buckle, no rings, easy to adjust.
• One size baby sling can easily be used by parents of different sizes.
• Durable, it can be used with a second baby
• Light (less than 500g), can be kept in your handbag or the bottom of the buggy
• So light it can be worn indoors.
• Lovely new baby gift.
• Double as a changing mat if need be when you’re out and about.
• Made in the UK
• Come with a colour booklet and step by step instructions.

And now the Calin Bleu baby slings are even more affordable than ever. Starting at £29.50 for the plain fleece baby slings and only £34.50 for the designer fleece baby slings.

Liz contacted us about her Ergo baby carrier. Her 8-month old arches his back and leans back when he is in the baby carrier. She was concerned about his comfort. She tried loosening the baby backpack to give him more room but it made babywearing uncomfortable for herself.

Here are a few pointers to use your Ergo baby carrier comfortably.

As a general rule, babies need to be well supported in slings, so although the idea of freedom is great, it can lead to problems as the baby can move too much and as you say makes it hard to carry. Baby should be held snug against yourself.

When you are carrying on your back, at 8 months the best position for the arms is under the straps. This will depend upon each baby/parent but we have found that the vast majority of parents carrying on the back at this stage found that this is the best position for the arms.

It is worth checking how tight the shoulder straps are: the toggle that goes underneath your arms, rather than the chest strap. If this strap is too loose, it could lead to the baby not being as supported as they need to be.

When you place the baby in the Ergo baby carrier, make sure that the baby is seated well at the bottom of the carrier. If need be, ask an adult to grab the top edge of the carrier and pull on it as you bounce gently. This will make sure that the child is deeply seated in the carrier and has as much fabric as possible supporting his back.

As with any baby sling, the baby’s legs should be flexed and wide apart, almost resting on your hips.

Many parents find that a few sessions with an osteopath or a cranial osteopath also greatly helped their child settle in the baby carrier.

“It took me a few tries to adjust my Ergo baby carrier. I experimented with tightening each straps, loosening them, moving the chest strap higher or lower, moving the hip belt higher on my waist or lower on my hips. Once I had found what worked for me, it was incredibly comfortable. I could carry my son for hours without any ache. It was worth experimenting what worked for me”, says Ann.

Here are a few tips. Don’t hesitate to let us know if you have more questions. Are you an experienced ‘babywearer’ with advice for other parents? Get in touch with us, we’d love to hear from you.