Amazonas Customer Review

If you've been wondering about the Amazonas woven wraps, here's a lovely review from a wonderful mama that is getting her 3rd Amazonas wrap!

I always like trying new things so I was very excited to see a US vendor carrying Amazonas.  I've had two of the Classic wraps - Carrageen and Lollipop - both are fantastic colorways, very bright and cheerful (especially Lollipop!).  I prefer thin wraps that mold well and Amazonas fit the bill; the weave reminds me most of a Vatanai stripes although I think it's a bit denser.  They are soft and floppy brand new which I think makes them "new wrapper friendly" - no need to really break them in.  The texture is nice too - just the right amount of slide and grip.  I used them comfortably this summer with my 27 pound toddler - very nice in our hot humid summers!  Amazonas also have long, flowy tapers like a Vatanai or Zara which gives the tails a nice look.   They are also nice and wide which makes them more toddler friendly.  Of course, I'm also looking forward to wrapping our spring newborn in one ;-)

 Thanks Meredith for the great review and pics!

These wraps are a great option for summer and an extremely good value.  I love all the fun colors!  Do you have one?  We'd love to hear what you think!

Meet Rowan

Introducing Rowan, the newest stretch wrap by Wrapsody!  This beautiful wrap is a rich plum color with pink lotus flowers in the center and water inspired waves along the edges.  Kristi got the inspiration for this wrap from a placenta print after the birth of her daughter Alice.  The butterfly symbolizes loss of pregnancy or birth and is inspired by Remembering Rowan; the flowers celebrate life and birth.

This is a comparison of Rowan next to some of Wrapsody's other wraps.  Rowan is on the far left, with Alice (a Bali Breeze wrap) in the center which is slightly lighter and pinker than Rowan, and Aphrodite in purple at the right.

Wrapsody has also brought back Stella for a limited time!  This stunning wrap is inspired by the night sky.  A gradation of deep shades of blue are complemented with white stars throughout the darkest layer.

I have greatly enjoyed using my Wrapsody stretch wraps!  These wraps are not only supportive, but unique and beautiful!  They have done a great job at Wrapsody creating these amazing carriers!

Pricing Increases

Due largely to a global cotton shortage, we are seeing the first price increases in the baby carrier industry.  Wrapsody and Hoppediz have both announced an increase in the cost of their baby carriers. 

The new pricing for Wrapsody carriers will go in to effect on Dec 25th, 2010.  The wraps will go up by about $5 per wrap.  Wrapsody is exploring options to decrease costs, but another increase sometime next spring may also be necessary.

Hoppediz prices increase will start Jan 1st, 2011.  You'll see about a $5 increase for a 4.6m Hopp wrap with prices for the new Hopp Jacquard Chicago as well as Hopp Light being more significant.  Prices for Hopps in the US probably won't immediately go up, but increase more slowly as products are re-ordered.

Shipping costs and the expense of meeting CPSC standards have both contributed to the price increases, but the biggest factor has been the cost of cotton.  Cotton shortages have caused the price of cotton to almost double and the companies that make baby carriers are being directly affected by the increase in the cost of materials.  It remains to be seen if other companies will also be affected by this shortage, but it is likely we will see the price of more carriers go up as time goes by.

See this article for more information on the cotton shortage.

Exciting BCIA update!

Today the CPSC issued a safety announcement in regards to baby slings.  This is a good sign that the CPSC may consider education as a viable alternative to a mass recall of baby slings.  The BCIA issued their own concurrent statement pledging to work with the CPSC on babywearing education.  The CPSC reached out to the BCIA regarding this statement and expressed a desire to improve communication between the BCIA and their agency!  This is a great step in the right direction and will hopefully lead to more cooperation in the future.

This is great news for the future of babywearing!  And it is in direct response to the pressure the CPSC has received from the entire babywearing community.  By standing together, we were able to send a clear message that the CPSC was able to hear.  But there is still more work to be done.  We need to make sure that the CPSC and the new Congress understand how important the babywearing industry is to all of us.  We can help by contacting the CPSC and letting them know that we would like to see them partner with the BCIA on a national education campaign, like the one they are planning in cooperation with Health Canada. Contact them through the CPSC’s Hotline at (800) 638-2772; or visit www.cpsc.gov/talk.html

And continue to spread the word, this alliance gets stronger the more of us there are!  The BCIA still has a lot of work ahead of them as they continue to secure the future of the babywearing industry.

For more information on babywearing safety, see the BCIA's safety guidelines.

Stretch wrap tip

I have really been enjoying carrying my newborn in a stretch wrap, but I am surprised just how stretchy some of the brands are.  I am actually planning to do a side by side comparison once my baby girl is a bit heavier, but for now I just wanted to give a little advice about using a stretch wrap.  The number one mistake I see people make with a stretch wrap is not tying it tight enough.

These wraps are stretchy and some are SUPER stretchy.  So it's important that you tie it pretty tightly before you put your little one in it.  Just how tight you need to tie it though depends on the specific wrap you are using and how big your baby is.  If you are going to put a 3 month old in it, then it will need to have a little more room then when you are wrapping a tiny 2 week old.  Also, you need to cross the straps a little lower in front of your body if you have a taller baby that you need to sit lower on your body.

Signs you may not be wrapping tight enough can be if your baby ends up way lower than when you first put them in, their butt keeps popping out the bottom of the middle panel of fabric, their head is below your chest or you cannot easily kiss the top of their head.  So when using a stretchy wrap, experiment a bit to see how tight you need it.  It take a bit of getting used to, but you'll be much happier when your little one isn't dangling down around your belly button!

For easy on-line instructions on how to use a stretch wrap, check out the Moby website.

Fun with Balloon Balls!

If you haven't seen these before, you have to!  These Balloon Balls by Hoppediz are so much fun!  My kids love bouncing on theirs, but they are a fun ball to play with and you don't have to worry about the balloon popping.

Balloon Balls are a simple cover made out of Hoppediz wrap fabric that you put a balloon inside and inflate.  What you get is a super durable, portable, bouncy ball!  We keep one in our diaper bag so we have something to play with at the park or where ever we might need something to do.  The best part is that if you twist the end of the balloon instead of putting a knot in it, then you can just untwist it when you're done, deflate it, and stick it back in your bag for next time!  We have had ours inflated for months in the house and they never lost air, even while being sat on, while twisted closed and not knotted!

Currently available in a 3 pack and 5 pack, each Balloon Ball comes with two balloons.  Simply insert the balloon into the slit and blow it up while inside the cover.  These are a great, unique toy and make really great gifts!

Accidents happen

It's one of our worst nightmares, falling while wearing our little one.  I just read a story about a mom that unfortunately fell and her baby suffered broken bones.  But posted along with that story were a ton of stories about other moms that fell while wearing their babies and their babies were not only fine, but had probably been safer because they were in a carrier and not being held in their arms.

Having fallen while holding someone else's baby, it is extremely frightening.  Every part of you tenses and tries to protect that baby no matter what.  The only though going through my head when I fell was please don't let me drop this baby.  Luckily, I was able to hold on firmly with one arm while using my other hand to brake our fall and by some miracle, I was able to hold on to the baby.  But I firmly believe that baby would have been much safer I had been wearing them.

Why am I so sure?  First, the obvious, like a seat belt, the baby carrier would have made it practically impossible to drop the baby.  Like in a car crash, when you fall, the baby falls too.  When you stop falling, the baby keeps falling making the baby exert more force while being pulled away from you.  This makes a 9 lbs baby suddenly feel much heavier and it is harder to hold on to them.  While babywearing, the force would be absorbed by the baby carrier and it is not longer a question of if your arms can hold onto this little football you are carrying.

Another reason that babywearing is safer in my opinion, is that most carriers support the baby's head, especially when they are little and need the most help.  Also, babywearing allows you to have both hands free, which gives you a better chance to break your fall.  And with baby so close to your body, it is easier for you to instinctively protect them with your own body.

Now I am not saying there is no risk.  Unfortunately, accidents happen and no baby is ever completely safe, whether in a stroller, car seat, or in your arms.  The situation that allowed that mom to fall on her baby without being able to stop herself would not have been avoided if she had not been babywearing.  If she had been holding her baby when she fell, she probably would have still fallen on them anyway or dropped them, which may have been far worse.  There will always be the story of the person that got hurt by their seat belt.  But that doesn't mean they would have been safer if they hadn't worn one at all.  I feel safe babywearing my little one knowing that if I do fall, they are cradled in a baby carrier and not in these arms that feel extremely inadequate to protect something so dear to me!


I am in no way an expert on evaluating safety.  These statements are simply my opinion! ;) 

BCIA Update

Good news, all the unexpected publicity this week seems to have delayed the recall.  The recall is still in place and expected to go through soon, but this will give the BCIA a little more time to work with their attorney and new PR firm on how to proceed at this point.  The recall could still be announced as early as next week, but unfortunately the company involved is no longer being kept in the loop, so there is no way to know exactly when the recall is coming at this point.

Thanks to everyone for all your support!  We haven't won yet, but this delay will give the babywearing community a little more time to organize.  The recall has not been rescinded and it is unlikely that this will do anything that will help the specific company involved.  But at least we may have a chance to stop some of the damage.

The BCIA still needs all the help it can get.  Our fundraiser will continue until Monday, Oct 11th.  Buy tickets for your chance to win a FREE baby carrier of your choice!  Each ticket is only $1 and all the proceeds will be donated to the BCIA.

Thanks again!

BCIA Fundraiser

We have a winner! Congrats Marie! Thanks to everyone that participated and helped us raise money for the BCIA!!!  I really appreciate everyone's support!

I am seeing a lot of confusion out there in the babywearing community about what is going on with the babywearing industry and the call to action in support of the Baby Carrier Industry Alliance (BCIA).  So in case you aren't aware of what is going on behind the scenes in the world of babywearing, basically, the entire baby carrier industry is currently being threatened.

Since the recall of a well known brand of dangerous bag slings, the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission, the agency responsible for doing recalls) is now going after other, safe carriers.  The concern is that it wont stop there and that these safe carriers and all baby carriers could eventually be recalled or deemed unsafe.  The Baby Carrier Industry Alliance (BCIA) is doing their best to counter this with a logical, legal approach to prove that unlike the dangerous bag slings, these other carriers are safe. 

The BCIA is concerned that if this situation is not handled in a specific manner, that it could result in more damage to the industry as a whole.  For that and legal reasons, details are not being discussed on public forums and only supporters of the BCIA have all the details.  So for those of you that have been wondering, this is why there is not more information available right now.


What can you do?

The legal fees and other costs associated with this campaign are extremely expensive and the BCIA operates on donations alone.  So if you are concerned about the future of babywearing, it is in everyone's interest to join together in supporting the BCIA in their work to preserve the future of the babywearing industry.  Anyone can join for a small donation and I highly encourage anyone interested to look into it further and support if they can.

As an added benefit, many stores and companies are offering discounts to supporters of the BCIA.  So if you are planning to buy a carrier anyway, there is a chance you may be able to make back some of the money you donated joining the BCIA.


What we're doing...


Zerberts is already proud to be a supporting member and we also do offer a 10% discount to all supporters of the BCIA!


We have also decided to hold a fundraiser to raise money for the BCIA!  The winner gets to choose the baby carrier of their choice from 4 styles of carriers!  Each ticket only costs $1 or get 10 for $9.  A winner will be selected Monday, Oct 11th.


Hurry!  Spread the word!!!  We want to raise as much money for the BCIA as we can!  Thank you for your support and good luck!

Buy Tickets Here!

UPDATE:  For anyone that has decided to support the BCIA by becoming a member, e-mail me with your confirmation e-mail or information and I will give you credit for 5 tickets once your membership is confirmed!

Hop-Tye by Hoppediz

Yet another super cool product from Hoppediz!  The Hop-Tye are not new, but have not really been available to the US market.  After seeing some of their latest limited edition Hop-Tyes, I decided to order a few.  When they arrived, I was surprised at just how neat these carriers are!

First, these are made out of Hoppediz woven wraps, so they are a lot like a wrap conversion in comfort and feel.  They also have wide, wrap style shoulder straps that spread out and cup the shoulders like a wrap, and the waist belt has light padding in it.  I haven't gotten to try one yet, but they seem like they would be really comfortable.

There are also lots of fun features that make these mei tais unique.  First, they have adjustable draw strings at both the top and bottom of the body of the carrier.  This allows the wearer to make the carrier narrower and snugger with a little baby.  The base can be cinched together to allow a little baby to be legs out more comfortably.  They are designed to be used from birth on up.

These mei tais have a sleeping hood that attaches to pull strings on the shoulder straps.  These pull strings allow the wear to easily pull the head rest up when doing a back carry.  Anyone that has tried to put up a sleeping hood while their little one was on their back knows that this is not easy!  So this is a really neat design feature that I think is too cool!

All Hop-Tyes come with a matching carrying case and a detailed instructional booklet.  They are also all limited edition and Hoppediz only carries each design for a limited time.  I love the Miami with the flower on the hood and the Kalaoa is just stunning!  The Kalaoa has a panel of decorative fabric over the wrap material.

I am really looking forward to trying one out myself when my little one arrives, but I was really impressed with how nice they are once I saw them in person.  Let me know if you have been lucky enough to get your hands on one of these, I would love to hear what you think!

Summery of details:

• Extra-wide wrap style shoulder straps and padded waist straps provide extra comfort
• Headrest w/attachable pull string to easily pull up headrest when doing a back carry
• Adjustable base allows you to cinch the body of the carrier together for younger babies
• Designed to be used from birth on up
• Can be used for front or back carries
• Comes with a matching carrying case
• Detailed instruction booklet included
• 100% cotton, tested for harmful substances

Hoppediz Fleece Covers

I just tried a Fleece Cover by Hoppediz and I was surprised at how cool it is!  Now, in all fairness, I have not tried any special cold weather babywearing gear in the past.  I always just wore an over sized jacket or coat when babywearing in fall and winter.  But when I got my Hoppediz Fleece Cover in, I couldn't resist trying it out even though I am 9 months pregnant and don't have a baby to wear right now!

To learn more about your babywearing options during the colder months, check out our article about babywearing in fall and winter.

One of the things that annoyed me the most when babywearing in winter was that my chest and neck would get so cold since I couldn't zip my jacket/coat all the way up over my daughter.  Plus, I didn't like wearing anything too thick or with too many layers under my coat since I was still nursing regularly.  A wide scarf probably would have helped a lot, but I never remembered to bring one since it wasn't something I usually used.  So I always ended up feeling cold from the chest up.

The Hoppediz fleece cover is kind of a hybrid between a standard babywearing cover and a babywearing vest (see article for details).  More affordable than a babywearing vest, the Hoppediz cover protects your neck and chest like a vest, but is more like a standard cover in the front.

Other features I love about this cover:

• Zippers on both yours and baby's neck openings, plus draw string for you to pull yours closed tightly around your neck if you'd like.
• Has a hood for baby
• Front pocket for a warm place to tuck your hands!  Love that!
• Zipper between baby's cover and your neck piece which can be used to separate the two if you don't want to use the neck piece for yourself.
• Reflective tape on front pocket and baby's hood
• Elastic drawstrings on the sides to tighten the front cover more snugly around baby 

Other details:

• Designed to be used with 4 to 18 month olds
• Machine washable
• Made with soft polar fleece with an anti-pilling finish both inside and out.  100% polyester that has been tested for harmful substances.

Here, I have lots of pictures to show you.  My coat is a bit short and I am using a doll for this demo, plus I am 9 months pregnant right now, but hopefully it will give you a pretty good idea.

This is how it looks under a zipped up coat.

Check out the pocket in front!  I love that there is a place to keep your hands warm!

Here's a side view.  The front hangs down around baby.

Close up of baby's opening.

Zipper that separates your neck piece (on bottom of photo) from baby's cover.

Picture of front with pocket to keep your hands warm.

Inside view of baby's pouch.  This is what covers the body of your carrier and baby.  You can also see the elastic drawstring that allows you to tighten the cover more snugly around baby, especially when being used alone without a jacket or coat.

So what do you think?  Without actually having used it in action, it seems like it offers a lot of nice features for a good price.  I am looking forward to trying one out if my baby is big enough before winter is over.

Fall/Winter Babywearing

As the weather is cooling off, we've been getting lots of questions about babywearing in fall and winter. There are lots of options out there for people who want to wear their babies while being outside in the cold.

The most common and least expensive are covers. These are kind of like blankets that attach to the carrier and keep baby covered. The Monkey Pocket and Winter Carrier Cover by CatBird are both examples of covers.

Then there is the Peekaru Original which is a fleece vest that zips over both you and baby completely covering you on all sides. These are nice because they can be worn under a coat, but give you coverage completely up to your neck, unlike the covers which only cover the baby. Suse Kinder also makes a fleece babywearing vest.

Hoppediz makes a fleece cover that is kind of a cross between a cover and a vest.   Find out more by reading this detailed article.

Finally are the more expensive coats and ponchos like Suse's Kindercoat and Peekaru Soft Shell that are designed specifically for babywearing. These are the most expensive option, but are a great option if you are not on a budget.

Fall/Winter Babywearing on a Budget

You don't have to be rich to babywear this winter. The best option is to use any over sized coat or jacket. You can go buy one specifically for babywearing (you can find lots of good deals at stores and resale shops), use your husband's or mother's like I did, or use your old maternity coat if you were lucky enough to have bought one.

An over sized jacket or coat can be easily zipped up over both you and your baby. This only works well for front carries, but I preferred front carries in winter anyway so I could keep a close eye on how my baby was handling the cold.

You can tuck a blanket around baby for extra warmth when it is really cold, similar to how covers work. Like with covers, your chest and neck will be exposed when using a jacket/coat since you can't zip all the way up, so you will want to make sure you are wearing something warm underneath or use a scarf to protect your chest and neck area. Luckily, babywearing in winter does have the benefit of keeping both of you warmer!

If you are crafty, you can always make your own babywearing coat or poncho. There are lots of patterns you can find on-line. This isn't always a cheap option since it depends on what you decide to make and the materials required, but it can definitely save you some money, especially when it comes to babywearing coats.

Happy Babywearing and enjoy the weather!

 

Update to respond to Chrissy's question:

One issue I'm trying to figure out is something quick and easy so I can get the baby in quickly if I don't have her bundled and we're getting her from her carseat to the carrier in a parking lot in a blizzard. I'm thinking a stretchy wrap might be good for this so I could have it pre-tied and ready to go, then baby is under 3 layers of fabric while I get the cover on. What do you like to use?

First, I never have my baby's bundled when they are in their carseat.  It is actually not safe to have a heavy coat on underneath the straps of a carseat because it can be unsafe in an accident.  To find out more, read this article.

Because my daughter only wore a thinner jacket (usually a fleece hoodie) in the car, I was always faced with this situation when babywearing in winter.  What I did really depended on where I was going.  I usually did put the carrier on at home first with my coat over the top, especially with sometime like a stretch wrap or ring sling, but that was mostly so I didn't have to do it when I got where I was going.

If I was just going from the car to the store, I would usually just hold my baby while I covered them with a warm blanket and wait until I was in the store to put them in the carrier.  This just seemed like the quickest and easiest option.  Some people I know would sit in the back seat and put their baby in the carrier before getting out of the car at all.  Whether this is something you can do depends greatly on what kind of vehicle you drive and how much room you have.

If I was planning to be outside for any period of time, I honestly just took off my coat in the freezing cold, put the carrier on and in position, then put my daughter in it as quickly as I could before putting my coat back on over both of us!  In this situation, it would definitely be easier and quicker to put on a Hopp cover than a babywearing vest, but in most cases, I wouldn't bother unless I was planning to stay outside longer than it would take me to run into a store.  I know that sounds a bit crazy, and I'm sure I got lots of looks while standing outside my car strapping some contraption on me and my baby without any coat on, but it worked for us!  If you can fit in the back seat of your vehicle, I would probably recommend doing that.

Hope that helps!  Have a great winter!

Newborn Safety

Ever since the recall of the Infantino SlingRider in March 2010, babywearing has come under attack as being dangerous. These bag slings are in fact dangerous and the babywearing community was relieved to see the recall of these carriers. Unfortunately, other slings and baby carriers are now being lumped together by people who do not understand the difference. You can read this article for a detailed description of what a bag sling is and what makes these particular carriers so unsafe.

Tragically, any baby carrier can result in death when used incorrectly. This includes car seats, infant swings, bouncy seats, strollers, and any device a baby can be placed in. The risk with any newborn being placed in one of these devices is that they can experience positional asphyxia. This can occur when a baby is incorrectly positioned in a "C" shape where baby's head is curled down towards their chest. This position can cause their breathing to be restricted and newborns are at risk because they do not have the strength to reposition their heads to allow them to breath properly.

Newborns that are experiencing distress breathing may sometimes make noises, especially while sleeping. This can sometimes seem cute, like little whimpers in their sleep, or even snoring. But in fact, if these noises are being made with every breath, this is a huge warning sign that your newborn is having difficulty breathing. This actually happened to my first while someone was holding him asleep in their arms. We thought it was adorable, but after it continued for over a minutes, we decided to reposition him and he stopped immediately. Looking back, I had no idea he was having difficulty breathing and that the way he was being held was causing it. Not all babies will make noise though, so don't assume you are safe if they are quiet.

So how can you make sure your newborn is safe? Here are some simple rules to follow to make sure you are wearing your baby correctly.

1. Use the Heart to Heart position with newborns, formerly known as "tummy to tummy". Baby should be positioned upright with their chest to yours and baby's head should be "kissably close"! The cradle carry can be used for nursing, but return baby to a heart to heart position when done and before baby is sleeping. I do not recommend using the cradle carry unless you are an experienced babywearer since it can be very difficult to get proper positioning using that carry.

2. Keep their airway open! Make sure baby is never curled up in a C shape. Instead, make sure that you can put two fingers between baby's chin and chest.

3. Make sure baby's face isn't covered by fabric. Older babies can and will move their head if they are having a problem re-breathing the same air, but a newborn can't do that. So make sure there is nothing covering their face.

Take a minute and watch this great video on proper newborn positioning. They are using a ring sling in the video, which is closest in design to a "bag sling", though completely different. For more information on positioning in other types of carriers, check out this detailed article with photos.

When done correctly, baby carriers are not only safe, but one of the safest places your baby can be!



Here are some great resources for more information:

Babywearing International: Is Babywearing Safe?
Lots of safety tips for babywearing.

Newborn safety in ring slings from SweetPea Ring Slings

Babywearing Safety
A Facebook group dedicated to education on safe babywearing practices.

Peas On Earth: What you need to know about your newborn's airway

Wrapsody Blog: How safe are baby slings? About as safe as it gets…
An interesting article on the statistics of babywearing safety.

Article: CORRECT POSITIONING For the Safety & Comfort of your Newborn
Same article linked to earlier. Provided by The Babywearer. TBW is an amazing resource for anyone interested in babywearing.

Babywearing Safety by Sleepy Wrap

New woven wrap from Hoppediz!

As some of you may have already heard, Hoppediz has a new wrap out! The Jacquard Chicago is a beautiful woven wrap done using a jacquard weave. This weave has flexibility in both diagonal directions which allows the sling to adjust itself optimally to both the baby's and the carrier's body, offering both support and comfort.


The Jacquard Chicago is black with a gray design woven into it. The wrap can be reversed to the "wrong side" which is gray with black.

The Chicago is a thinner wrap than the standard Hoppediz wraps we are used to and is slightly thicker than the "Light" wraps. So this wrap really is something completely new from Hoppediz. This is a true woven and not a stretch wrap like some people have speculated, but how it compares to other Hoppediz wraps is yet to be seen as these are brand new and have yet to be tested in the babywearing community.

Although these are not yet available in the US, they can be pre-ordered by those that want to be the first to own and try one of these stunning wraps!

5th Edition and Organic Carriers from Action Baby Carrier!

Action Baby Carrier has some exciting changes happening!


First is the introduction of the new 5th Edition Action Baby Carrier. As always, these carriers and the fabrics they are made from will continue to be made in the USA, but the stap and inner fabrics will now be made using a new 100% cotton canvas.

There will also be a few new design tweaks. Here's what you can look forward to with the new 5th Edition Action Baby Carriers:

- The waist belt will now be extendable from 28" to 55" with no need for an extender belt
- The simple to use sleeping hood will now be 1" longer
- The shoulder strap webbing is 2" longer


The 5th Edition will have three new fabrics in their print line; Square, Wave and Vine. Kiley, Robins Egg and Galaxy will continue to be available with the new design changes and canvas fabric. The 5th Edition will also include Chocolate, Black and Olive in their solid line, all made using the new 100% canvas. You can see the entire 5th Edition line on our website.


We are also excited to announce that they will soon be offering a line of organic carriers! The Action Baby Carrier Organic will be made using the same new updated style of the 5th Edition, but with quality, USA made organic cotton canvas! These 100% organic cotton fabrics are both SKAL and OEKO-TEX Certified.

At $107 each, these will be the most affordable organic soft structured baby carriers on the market, and completely made in the USA! The Action Baby Carrier Organic will come in 4 bright colors contrasted against a solid black body for a sleek, stylish look.


Keeping with tradition, Action Baby Carriers continues to bring you an amazing product at an equally amazing price! Now we just have to wait for them to arrive sometime in the first half of September!

Introducing the Boba 2G Classic

Come meet the newest carrier brought to you by Nap, Inc., the Boba 2G Classic!


These carriers are identical in style to the sleek look of the Boba 2G Organic. If you are not already familiar with the Boba 2G carrier, these carriers are specifically designed with older babies and toddlers in mind. Made to be used from 1 to 4 years (15-45 lbs / 7-20 kg), the Boba 2G comes with removable foot straps that support babies and toddlers’ knees at a natural 90-degree angle. These backpack style carriers are super easy to use for either a front or back carry. The shoulder straps and waist belt have comfortable foam padding that is not too thick or too stiff. They also have a removable hood that you can use to support your little one's head when they fall asleep.

So what are the differences between the Boba Classic and the Boba Organic? First, the Boba Classic is made out of quality cotton fabric, but not organic cotton like the Boba Organic. Second, like the Ergo, the Boba Classic is made in China, where as the Boba Organic is made right here in the USA in Boulder, Colorado. The last difference is the price. The Boba Classic costs $100 compared to $118 for the Boba Organic.

Whether you decide to go with the Boba Classic and the Organic, you are still getting a great carrier for older babies and toddlers at an extremely great value!

Why People LOVE Action Baby Carriers

Action Baby Carriers are a soft structured carrier (SSC), meaning it uses buckles to fasten instead of needing to be tied. These carriers are really great and a favorite among my babywearing friends.

The reason these are so popular is that they are great carriers at an amazing value. Most SSC cost well over $100. At $89, these are very affordable carriers for people on a budget, but with all the comfort of a more expensive carrier!



These carriers have a very simple, clean look and come in a nice selection of solid and pattern prints. They are light weight compared to some bulkier SSC and the fabrics are breathable making them a good option for hotter summer weather. The waist belt and shoulder straps are padded for comfort. Usable for infants to 40 lbs, many people use these comfortably with their toddlers.

Action Baby Carriers can be used for a front or back carry. The straps can be crossed or worn in a backpack position with the chest belt. They are also made with an attached sleeping hood. The hood is long enough to offer head support to a sleeping baby, but not long enough to completely cover a baby's head if you are looking for sun protection.

Here's what one mom had to say about her experience with the Action Baby Carrier:

I love my Action Baby Carrier. I used a stretch wrap when my daughter was little, but found that I needed something more industrial as she got bigger. I got the Action Baby Carrier to use for hiking and general traveling use, and I LOVE it. I can carry my 2 1/2 year old child for several hours without any back pain! My daughter weighs 28 lbs and is heavy to carry in my arms, but she goes right into her carrier without issue. And, she loves it too! She will ask to go into the carrier when she gets tired of walking. It's easy to strap on, even with a wiggly two year old! I don't know what I did without it!

-Beth

So if you are looking for a comfortable, quality baby carrier that will last you through toddlerhood, consider an Action Baby Carrier. The comfort and construction of this carrier makes it an amazing value for the price. You don't always need to spend a lot of money to get a great product, sometimes you can get more for less!

Please keep in mind though that no matter how great a carrier is, no matter how many people it works well for, there is no such thing as a carrier that works for everyone. Not everyone's body is shaped the same and although the Action Baby Carrier fits well on most people, like all carriers, it just doesn't work for some people. The shoulder straps on an Action Baby Carrier sit further out than some carriers, which works well for some and not for others. I have known really petite women that can wear the Action Baby Carrier just fine, but someone that has narrow or sloped shoulders may find that the straps sit too far out for them. The best way to find out is to try one! But don't be discouraged if it doesn't work for you, just keep looking until you find one that does!

Summery of specs:

• Simple to use sleeping hood


• Folds into a compact size that can easily fit into a diaper bag


• Breathable lightweight yet supportive material


• Versatility with front and back carry position


• Safety chest strap


• Baby carrier for infants to 40 pounds


• Adjustable hip belt from 28" to 51" with no extender belt


• Made in the U.S.A.

Guide to Summer Baby Carriers

Follow this link to check out our updated

2011 Guide to Summer Baby Carriers

Looking for a cooler baby carrier for those hot summer days? Don't worry, there are lots of great choices!

One option is to use a ring sling. Ring slings are cooler because there is much less fabric around you and baby. Ring slings like Maya Wraps and our Hoppediz ring sling conversions by Kalea Baby are made with a single layer of woven material that is very breathable. Silk is also a very cool fabric to use in summer, which makes our double layer Dupioni silk slings by SweetPea Ring Slings another good option for summer. You can also find ring slings made from linen or solarveil fabric. But realistically, most ring slings are going to be fairly cool simply due to the lack of fabric.


For the wrappers out there, there are also lots of options. Wrapping tends to be much warmer since there is often lots of fabric wrapped around you and your baby. But luckily, some wraps are cooler than others. Hoppediz makes a Hopp Light that is very nice for summer. It is very thin and soft and reminds people of a very expensive cotton sheet. Amazonas Classic wraps are also woven wraps that are very light and breathable. The weave on these still feels like a woven without being thick and hot. Vatanai and Didymos linens are other brands of lighter woven wraps that people recommend for warmer weather.

Gauze wraps, like the Wrapsody Bali Breeze, are very light and airy. You have to be more careful when wrapping a gauze wrap to avoid pressure points, but these wraps are very cool and lighter than a woven.


If you're prefer a stretch wrap, try to find one made from a bamboo blend since bamboo tends to be a cooler fabric. The Anaju stretch wraps by 3TD are made of 70% organically grown viscose of bamboo and 30% organic cotton. These wraps are amazingly soft and light. Lovey Duds also makes a bamboo stretch wrap and you can even make your own by purchasing a bamboo jersey at the fabric store.


When looking for a Mei Tai or Soft Structured Carrier (buckle carrier), try to avoid anything made with heavy materials or lots of layers. Thinner, narrower bodied carriers are going to allow more air around you and baby and help keep you cooler. Action Baby Carriers (especially the solid colors), AngelPacks, and Baby Hawks are all fairly light weight thinner options. You can also look for Mei Tais made from solarveil fabric, which are breathable and can be used as water carriers, but can be harder to find.


A water carrier can be a really useful thing to own, especially in summer. These can be worn in the ocean or pool, as well as the shower. Many also provide some sun protection, but protection can vary. Water carriers can be found in a variety of styles, including stretch wraps, ring slings, and Mei Tais. Wrapsody makes a stretch wrap water carrier with a UPF rating for 45. TaylorMade makes mesh ring slings and is only one brand that makes water ring slings. Solarveil Mei Tais are harder to find, but they are out there, especially if you look for people selling used carriers.


Summer is hot and babywearing in summer is going to be hot no matter what. But there are definitely carriers that are cooler than others and will help keep you and your little one a little more comfortable. Just remember, a little sweat never hurt anyone and it's worth the added convenience and snuggles you get in exchange! Enjoy your summer!

How to fix a pull on a woven wrap

Written and reprinted with permission by Amy. Thanks!

First picture: The pull looks like a small nub. Open up your safety pin (easier for me to hold than a straight pin or needle). Gently tug on your pull so you can see if it comes from a thread that goes down the length of the wrap or the width. Try to untangle the thread if it has twisted back on itself.


Second picture: My loose thread runs from one rail to the other. You need to decide if you want to redistribute the extra length to the left or the right. I'm going to the left. I gently insert my needle into one of the threads to the left of my pull. Carefully, I gently tug to see if it makes my pull move. If not, I try another thread. If it does, I gently tug so the pull becomes a tiny little loop.


Didymos usually has two threads that run in tandem from one rail to the other. In this pull, only one of the threads was pulled out. Keep working your way across the width of the wrap making tiny loops. I wish I had a different lens for my camera so I could get you a better close-up shots. The longer the pull, the more little loops you make. Since my pull was small, four loops ate up all the extra length. You want your loops to be relatively small. The theory is that with a little use, the loose thread will work itself back into the weave.

Third Pic: One last loop is being made.


Last Pic: Gently pull on your fabric diagonally in both directions. All of the slack is worked back into the weave.


Didy stripes are one of the harder wraps to repair because the weave is more closed. Didy Indios and Waves are much easier to repair because each thread is more able to move around and slack is quickly absorbed. Conversely, that is also why Waves and Indios are more likely to get pulls in the first place.