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Friday, October 17, 2014

Winter Babywearing 101


Winter is coming! But you don't have to stop enjoying your outdoor activities just because it's getting chilly. Babywearing can be a huge part of being active with your little ones this fall and winter.

Authors note:
It has come to my attention that I have no pictures of babywearing in the snowy cold of winter. Hopefully these fall photos are helpful even though they aren't officially "winter" babywearing photos.

Basic Winter Babywearing


Babywearing in winter doesn't need to be fancy or complicated. There are two basic ways of wearing during winter; over or inside your coat/jacket. Over the coat is when you put your coat on first and then the carrier is worn on the outside of your coat. Inside is when you put the carrier on first and then wear your coat over the carrier. Here are a couple photos:


Babywearing outside your coat is simple and the most obvious. Unfortunately, babies worn outside your jacket will not benefit as much or at all from your body heat, so you will still need to dress them appropriately for the weather conditions. This technique is most useful when you do not plan to wear them the entire time you are outside since both of you will be properly dressed whether babywearing or not. It also allows you to wear baby on your front or back.


Babywearing inside your coat is the warmest option and the best method to use if you will be going from inside to outside or vice versa, though it can only be used for front carries. Having the carrier on before you put your coat on will allow you to share a lot of your body heat with your baby. It also makes it easier to tell if baby is warm enough since they should be as warm as you are. If you have a younger baby that you plan to wear the entire time you are outside, or you plan to go inside and don't want to have to wake or remove baby from the carrier when you head indoors, wearing your baby inside your carrier will be easier and more convenient.

When wearing baby inside your coat, you just need a jacket or coat large enough to zip over you both (you will NOT be zipping the carrier up all the way, the zipper should not go above the back of baby's head). You can buy a larger coat specifically for this purpose, borrow one from a larger friend, or even use a maternity coat if you happen to have purchased one. They also make coats designed to be used for babywearing, but these are necessary to winter babywearing.

 

If you are using a normal coat and not an actual babywearing coat, the space between you and baby will be exposed since the zipper will stop at the back baby's head. This area should be small, but you and baby should both be dressed in something warmer since this part will be open to the cold air. You can also use a scarf to cover this area, but make sure that baby's face is uncovered at all times. Purchasing a babywearing hoodie or vest will cover this area, but again, it is not necessary to own one of these to successfully babywear in winter.

When baby is worn inside your coat, it is not usually necessary for baby to be heavily clothed. Your baby should be as warm as you are inside your coat, so dressing them in normal clothing plus a hat may be all that is needed. Make sure you use long socks or leg warmers to keep baby's legs warm since pants tend to ride up when their legs are bent. If their feet are inside the jacket or coat, shoes/boots shouldn't be needed and might actually be uncomfortable.

Cold Weather Products


If you have the means, you may enjoy buying a product specifically designed for cold weather babywearing. There are carrier covers, vests, hoodies, ponchos and coats designed specifically to use while babywearing. You don't need any of these to enjoy winter babywearing, but many people love their cold weather accessories.

Covers are the most basic option. These are usually something similar to a fitted blanket that covers your baby while they are in the carrier. These are worn over the carrier, whether wearing them inside or outside your jacket. Most cover their back and legs, though some covers come with hoods for baby's head.

Vests and hoodies are worn over the baby carrier and can be worn alone or as an added layer under a coat or jacket. Most of these can be used to do a front or back carry, though you can only do a back carry when used alone or with a babywearing coat that allows back carries.

Coats and ponchos designed for babywearing usually allow for baby to be worn on the front or back. These are the most expensive option, but some can be converted into a normal coat when not babywearing. If you know you will spend many winters babywearing or you are very active outdoors in the colder months, you may want to splurge on a babywearing coat.

For a list of some of these great babywearing products, check out Cold Weather Babywearing on Babywearing Unwrapped.

Tips and Tricks


Here are some tips and tricks that might make babywearing in the cold a little more comfortable.
  • Keep baby's legs covered with long socks, leg warmers or extra long pants. Pants tent to ride up when baby is in the seated position, so the skin on their legs can end up exposed to the cold air.
  • If you don't have a babywearing cover, tuck a warm blanket into the back of the carrier and let it hang down over their back and legs. You can tie the corners at the bottom together so that they wrap around baby's legs. This can be used as an extra layer under your coat or jacket, or alone if it's not too cold.
  • Dressing baby in a light jacket or hoodie under your jacket will keep their back, neck and head warmer than clothes and hat alone.
  • If baby likes to have their arms out when in a carrier, make sure they are dressed warmly enough so their arms and hands don't get cold. Mittens will be necessary if baby won't keep their hands tucked warmly inside your jacket.
  • Make sure you keep zippers, snaps and other objects clear of baby's face. You don't want to wear baby over your zipped up jacket and have their face resting on your zipper.
  • Use your hands and face to warm baby's cheeks. Kiss them often and if baby's cheeks get cold, take off your gloves and use your warm hands to warm them up.
  • Don't get too hot. It is possible to over dress. Make sure baby isn't getting too sweaty. If they are, just remove a layer, take off a hat, or uncover their legs. Just make sure you check in often to make sure baby doesn't need the layers put back on.
  • Make sure baby's face is visible at all times. This is always a good safety precaution, whether baby is in a baby carrier, car seat, crib, etc. But with all the added layers of winter babywearing, it is important to make sure that baby's face is not accidentally covered by the extra fabric from blankets, scarfs, hoods (if being worn on your back) and any other material that could obstruct your view.

To and From the Car


Going from the warm car to the cold outside with baby often leaves parents with the dilemma of how to keep baby warm when the temps get super cold. I don't have the answers since there is no right or wrong way to do this, but people have asked me, so I will tell you what works for me.

First, I have to start by saying that my baby's never have more than a light jacket on in their car seat. Bulky coats in car seats can cause you to loosen the car seat straps to a point that is no longer safe. (read more at Consumer Reports) So they are usually only in a fleece jacket with a blanket over them when I arrive at my destination. What I do when I take them out of their car seat depends on what I am doing.

Helpful Tip: Before running errands in the winter, I almost always put on the baby carrier before I leave the house if I am planning to wear my baby. Stretch wraps and ring slings are both easy to pop baby in and out of. If I am going to use a mei tai or buckle carrier (soft structured carrier), I leave the straps adjusted too loosely. This lets me put baby in from the top and then make any adjustments without needing to put on the carrier when I reach my destination.

If all I am just trying do is get from my warm car into a warm building, I usually just unbuckle my baby, cover them with the blanket I brought, and walk quickly into the store. I don't put my baby in the carrier until I am inside the store when temperatures are that cold.

If I knew we were going to be outside for an extended period of time and needed to put my baby in the carrier directly from the car, I would just take my coat off in the parking lot and put on the carrier before getting my baby out of their car seat. I would put on their hat and any extra layers they might need and then put them in the carrier as quickly as I could so I could put my coat back on over the two of us. It was cold for me, but I would rather be cold a little longer if it meant less time my baby was out of the carrier in the cold air.

Later I learned it was easier to put the carrier on at home since I didn't need to take my coat off in the cold if I did this. Some people prefer to sit in the back seat of the car 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.




So it's that easy. Go out and enjoy being active this fall and winter, no reason for you to sit inside with the baby unless you want to. And be sure to share your tips and stories with us!

Happy Babywearing!

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Share the Adventure with IBW!


"Share the Adventure" is this years theme for International Babywearing Week 2014 and it is perfect! Babywearing lets us go on so many adventures, bring baby right along with us and giving us the freedom to lead active lifestyles. But it is also about sharing the adventure of babywearing itself. Babywearing is the adventure, taking us from one point in our child's life to another. It's part of the adventure of parenting. We share this adventure of babywearing with eachother; friends and family, babywearing groups, online communities, even the strangers we see in the store. Sharing the adventure means so many things to me... what does it mean to you?

Sharing the Adventure on Facebook


Join us on FB to share some of your own fun babywearing adventures!
  • Oct 5th Sunday Summer Adventure - Share photos and stories of your summer babywearing adventures.
  • Oct 6th Monday Mosey - Go for a babywearing walk and snap a picture to share!
  • Oct 7th Tuesday Toddler Adventure - Have you ever worn your toddler? Share your photos and stories with us.
  • Oct 8th Wednesday Water Adventure - Babywearing at the beach? Caught in the rain? Share your stories and pictures of babywearing in and around water.
  • Oct 9th Throwback Thursday - Share pictures and stories of your earliest adventures in babywearing!
  • Oct 10th Friday Frosty Adventure - Babywearing in winter can be the perfect way to enjoy winter activities with a baby. Share your stories and pictures of babywearing in the cold.
  • Oct 11th Selfie Saturday - Take a selfie and share your current babywearing adventure, even if it's just the adventure of putting baby down for a nap!

More Babywearing Adventures


Babywearing groups all over have all kinds of fun adventures planned! Check out Babywearing International to find a local babywearing group and see what they have planned for IBW!

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Who is the BCIA?



Some of you are already familiar with the Baby Carrier Industrial Alliance and the amazing work they do to preserve the future of babywearing in the United States. The BCIA has many jobs, but one of them is trying to help the industry in regards to regulations. This awesome video shows who is involved in regulating baby carriers and the roll the BCIA plays. It's 10 min and you're busy, but really, it's worth the watch:


Why do I care?


I know, you don't make baby carriers, so why should you care? When the BCIA was first established, it was during a time when the babywearing industry was facing the real threat of being severely altered. Baby carriers had caught the attention of the Consumer Product Safety Commission and many styles of baby carriers were being looked at as too dangerous to sell in the United States. Ring slings are one example that was specifically targeted. The BCIA has been working towards getting safety standards adopted that will help protect the industry and make sure the baby carriers we know and love are available far into the future. The ASTM standard for buckle carriers and mei tais was already adopted by the CPSC. We are hopefully very close to having the ASTM standard for wraps and ring slings approved, but there is still much work to be done.

What can I do?


The BCIA can always use more support. The legal expertise needed during this process is both costly and necessary. Many babywearing business support the BCIA by becoming members, but they also have a "friend" memberships for people who just support the industry and work the BCIA is doing. You can join the BCIA as a friend for $25 a year or donate ANY amount through PayPal to: paypal@babycarrierindustryalliance.org The BCIA is important to me, not because I sell baby carriers, but because I have used them and they have been such a HUGE part of mothering my children. Because of this, I will donate 10% of my sales from Sept 27th through October 4th to the BCIA.

Public comment period?


Some of you may have heard of the CPSC public comment period. If you have any concerns about the current standard before the CPSC, I encourage you to read this post by the BCIA before doing anything else. It is important to understand the complexity of the process before getting involved.   Further Reading: Sling Safety Standard Public Comment by BCIA A guide to CPSIA and sling regulations for the bewildered consumer by Wrapsody

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Olives & Applesauce News

Olives & Applesauce has been a well loved brand of baby carrier since it was founded in 2006.  It has been one of the brands that has been used most by my family over the years and my husband’s favorite carrier was an O&A.  So when the original owner decided to move on, I was relieved when she was able to find a buyer!  Production was slowed during the transition, but Olives & Applesauce has increased production and recently introduced several new prints.

Sadly, many people are under the impression that O&A closed, and so you don’t see them recommended as often anymore on the babywearing groups.  But they are still around and making the same great carriers many of us have come to love!



O&A at a glace


Years back when Olives & Applesauce was still doing custom orders, they came out with a line of carriers made with their most requested customizations called the Ava.  The Ava cost more than the standard O&A carrier, but came with added features like a front pocket and cinching hood.  When the new owners took over, they decided to adopt the Ava design as their standard and currently only model and lowered the price from $159 to $149.99 USD.

All Olives & Applesauce carriers now come with the follow features:

Body Design - Built in infant insert. Seat darts and light leg padding help keep baby comfortable. Contoured waistband that provides support and helps transfer weight. Cinching sleeping hood that can be stored inside carrier. Front pocket that can be used to store diapers and other items.

Straps - Duel adjustable side straps allow for easier adjusting and more customizable fit. Shoulder straps can be crossed for used in a backpack style with the chest clip. Shoulder straps and waistband are padded for added comfort.

Details - One size carrier fits babies from 8 to 35 lbs. Carrier can be used to carry baby on front, back and hip. Machine washable on gentle cycle. Ethically made in the Dominican Republic.


New Prints


These are some of the fun new prints Olives & Applesauce has released:

Arcade
Firefly
Math
Lost Treasure

Buying O&A


We currently have both new prints and some older discontinued prints in stock. Since the discontinued prints are in the older packaging and we need to clear them out, they are an amazing deal at the clearance prices!  Check them out at Zerberts and grab one at for a great deal while they last.



Do you have an Olives & Applesauce and love it?  Tell us about it in the comments!






Thursday, August 7, 2014

Wrapsody turns TEN!


Wrapsody is celebrating 10 years in business and they are celebrating BIG!  The first exciting news they have announced is their first ever trade-in program.  For the month of August, you can trade in your used Gypsy Mama or Wrapsody carrier and receive 25% off a NEW Wrapsody carrier of your choice!

Have a Wrapsody or Gypsy Mama wrap that you've used for years and want a new one?  Slam your wrap tail in the door and rip it?  Your family pet decide it was a toy?  Just tired of the color?  What ever reason, what ever the condition, how ever old, Wrapsody will let you trade it in for a discount off a brand NEW Wrapsody wrap.  To participate, follow these simple steps:
  • Print our Wrapsody Trade-In form and follow the instructions.
  • Pack your freshly laundered carrier up with the form and mail to Wrapsody.
  • Be sure your carrier is postmarked between August 1 and August 25. Carriers must be received by August 30.
  • Once Wrapsody receives your carrier, we will give you a coupon code for 25% off any in stock Wrapsody carrier to be used between August 25 and September 3!

More to come...


Stay tuned, Wrapsody has more to come!  August 25th through September 3rd, Wrapsody will be celebrating their 10th birthday with exciting promotions and events!  We'll also have something special for you.  So stay tuned and join our newsletter to make sure you don't miss any of it!

Celebrate with us!

Have a Wrapsody baby carrier?  We want to see it!  Send us your photos so we can share our love of these stunning hand batiked wraps!  Share your pictures with us on Facebook, Instagram or email them to us through our website and we will share them for you.


Monday, August 4, 2014

Zerberts News

Want to make sure you don't miss any exciting news?  Sign up to our newsletter for updates on new products and promotions.  We've also added a special Kinderpack category for people specifically looking for information on Kinderpack updates.


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Saturday, May 10, 2014

Happy Mother's Day!

Wishing all the amazing women out there a Happy Mother's Day!

In honor of Mother's Day, we have decided to donate a Safe Delivery for every purchase over $100 placed this weekend.




Safe childbirth, even in chaos


In the midst of war or disaster, mothers still give birth, despite the chaos around them. In places like Syria, where outbreaks of violence can cut off access to health care, childbirth can pose life-threatening risks. Our teams make sure that women living through emergency situations can deliver babies safely. A kit of simple, hygienic supplies, including rubber gloves, a bar of soap and a warm blanket for the newborn, can help make childbirth safer — and happier — for both mother and baby.

See more at: http://gifts.rescue.org/product/health/safe-delivery




Happy Mother's Day!

Monday, May 5, 2014

Love in Motion Giveaway and Interview

When we were asked if we'd like to interview Liz, I did not expect it to be so fun! Liz is a MamAmor doll brought to life through a partnership between Kristi, Kelli, and Adriana of Wrapsody, The Babywearing Workout, and MamAmor dolls. I never expected the life of a MamAmor doll to be so interesting!

A former marketing consultant, Liz now enjoys an active life as a stay-at-home mother of Cate, 6 months, and Sterling, 4. She enjoys adventuring with her babies and her husband, John. She considers herself a diligent student of motherhood and loves learning and creating new things. Her favorite baby carrier is her Wrapsody Breeze, and she loves to use it while she does The Babywearing Workout DVD.

Liz enjoying an outdoor workout with baby Cate.

When did you first start babywearing?

It took a few weeks after Sterling was born. I had gotten a carrier after seeing my midwife’s MamAmor doll holding her baby in a sling, but I was a little intimidated by it, but once I started using it I felt ridiculous for worrying! It was so easy! When Cate came along, my husband had her in the wrap before I was really even up and about much.

Did babywearing come naturally to you or did it take some practice?

It was fairly natural, but it did take practice, too. I worried about tying my baby too tight or too loose, and sometimes I’d get weird pressure points before I learned to adjust it evenly.

Then a friend handed me a sarong while she held my baby. “Tie it on like a bra top, like you’d wear it to the beach,” she said. Then she pointed out how I adjusted the tightness across my bust, supporting everything firmly and evenly – not loose, not tight, no pressure points. That was a real turning point for me, because it made so much sense!


What is your favorite thing about babywearing?

When my baby takes her fingers and sort of scritches them on my collarbone as she falls asleep, I know she is happy and feels completely safe. There is something really satisfying about knowing I can meet her needs just by being with her in my Wrapsody baby carrier.

What's the craziest thing some has said to you while babywearing?

“If you don’t carry her exactly right it will ruin her hips.” Man, I have seen some crazy pictures of different cultures and how they carry their babies! I definitely agree that there’s an optimal way to carry babies, but the idea that I’ll damage my baby if I don’t do it “just right” is ridiculous. I’d love to have someone approach some of the fierce-looking women in photos and tell them their whole tribe is “doing it wrong.” 

Tell us a story of when babywearing saved your day.

Sterling, my three year old, tripped and banged his face on a chair leg. He ended up splitting his forehead and needed stitches. He was incredibly frightened at the emergency room and obviously he was in a lot of pain, but I was able to wrap him on snugly and hug him tightly to help him stay calm and still while the doctors numbed his head and stitched him up. I can’t imagine holding him down on a table while he cried for me – I was so glad they let me wrap him, and that I could! (By the way. Peroxide is a great way to get blood out of your wrap!)

What's your favorite carrier and why?

I just love my Wrapsody Haumea Breeze. I can stumble out of bed after a long night with a teething baby feeling absolutely horrible. But when I wrap up in my Haumea, I suddenly feel a little like a model. It’s trite, but it’s true. The colors are bright and cheerful and a little dressy, so every time I pass a mirror, I can’t help but smile.

Of course, it doesn’t hurt that it’s so comfortable and lightweight!

I saw that Zerberts is making an exclusive Wrapsody Stretch-Hybrid this summer, though, and I can’t wait to buy one. The colors are some of my favorites, and I think the design is going to be gorgeous.


If you could design a Liz wrap, what would it look like?

I would love to design a tree of life wrap in deep, rich red-browns and greens. We took the kids to California to the Redwood Forest this year, and it was just unbelievable, standing among those trees. I’d love to have a wrap that celebrates that feeling of being deeply rooted, but reaching skyward.

What advice would you give new babywearing mothers?

Be kind to yourself, and take yourself on mini-adventures. Explore a walking path you’ve never seen before, or seek out a museum you hadn’t heard of. Also, find ways to work exercise into your day 5 minutes at a time while you’re wearing your baby. I have the Babywearing Workout DVD, and I really love it.

Liz in the Redwood Forest with her family.

Thank you Wrapsody for bringing Liz to life.  It was really cool to read her story and advice!



Love In Motion Mother's Day Giveaway


Wrapsody, The Babywearing Workout, and MamAmor dolls have teamed up to bring you a really unique Mother's Day giveaway!  Enter the Love In Motion Mother's Day Giveaway to win one of three amazing prize packages, including a grand prize package worth over $300!

http://healthylivingwithkelli.com/love-in-motion-mothers-day-giveaway/

 
Happy Mother's Day!

Thursday, March 20, 2014

2014 Guide to Summer Baby Carriers

Spring has had a slow start for some of us this year, but hot summer days will be here eventually and many are already wondering what babywearing is going to be like when the heat hits.   Babywearing in winter is a great way to keep your little one warm while you enjoy outdoor activities in the cold.  But when it's hot out, having a little body touching you is going to feel hot, no matter what.  Luckily, there are some carriers that are a little better at beating the heat than others.  While you still might get hot wearing your little one, these carriers can keep you and your baby a little more comfortable while babywearing this summer.

Before you start, check out our Warm Weather Babywearing post for general summer babywearing info as well as a break down of the pros and cons for each style of carrier.  When deciding what carrier to get for summer, you have to decide what your needs are.  If you have a little baby or a toddler that you only wear for a short period of time, a ring sling might be the best option.  But if you plan to do a lot of babywearing this summer, you'll probably want the comfort of a two should carrier like a mei tai, soft structured carrier (aka buckle carrier), or even a lighter wrap. 


Ring Slings
Ring slings are great for summer. They don't have as much fabric touching you and your baby as some carriers and they are great for quick carries when a busy toddler wants to be held for a few minutes and then wants down again. But ring slings are a one shoulder carrier and unless you are used to it, prolonged wearing with a ring sling can get uncomfortable since your child's weight will mostly be on one shoulder.


By nature, ring slings will be cooler just because of the lack of fabric, but some people prefer linen ring slings in summer.  Sakura Bloom, Comfy Joey, and Sleeping Baby Productions are some of the few brands that carry linen ring slings.  Wrap conversion slings made out of thin, light wraps like the Hoppediz jacquard wraps can also be breathable while being very comfortable.  These SweetPea Ring Slings are made from Wrapsody Bali Breeze wraps.  This lightweight gauze wraps are still breathable even as a double layer ring sling.  Maya Wrap ring slings are also nice for summer since the woven fabric is fairly breathable.

Realistically though, most ring slings are going to be fairly cool simply due to the open design, so unless you are planning to spend a large amount of time outside or live in a particularly hot area, you might was well just pick the ring sling you like most and will enjoy using year round!

Wraps
For the wrappers out there, you don't have to stop wrapping just because it's summer.  There are a lot of great wraps out there that are lighter and better in the heat. Wraps can be a great option for summer since there are so many different ways to use them. What carry you do will determine how much fabric is wrapped around you and baby and makes the biggest difference in how hot you'll feel.  You can find lots of different ways to wrap using The Babywearer's extensive wrap instructions links page or by purchasing wrap instruction media like the Wrapsody DVD or Hoppediz instruction booklet.

If you are looking for a woven, the thinness of the wrap is easily as important as the fiber used.  Many people get distracted thinking linen is cooler, but a thin cotton wrap can be as breathable and summer friendly as a linen wrap.  For example, the Hoppediz Chicago are thin, light weight, and breathable, making them perfect for summer even though they are cotton.  The EllaRoo and Amazonas Classic wraps are other thin cotton wrap brands. Vatanai and Didymos linens are other brands of lighter woven wraps that people recommend for warmer weather.



Wrapsody makes two wraps that are great for summer.  The Wrapsody Bali Breeze are gauze wraps that 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.  The Wrapsody Stretch-Hybrid is thin with just the perfect amount of stretch to make them very comfortable, but they are not stretchy in the same way as a standard stretch wrap.  These hybrids can be used comfortably with older, heavier babies and allow you to safely do other carries, like back carries, that are not safe to do in a traditional stretch wrap.  But their thin lightness makes them a great option for summer.

If you just absolutely love stretch wraps though, or have a tiny baby you want to snuggle this summer, check out one made with a bamboo blend since bamboo tends to be a cooler fabric and helps wick moisture away.  Anaju, Happy Wrap and Lovey Duds all make bamboo stretch wraps and you can even make your own by purchasing a bamboo jersey at the fabric store.  The thinness of these brands makes them better than some of their thicker counterparts, but it also makes them stretchier and less supportive, so wrap tight!  Moby wraps aren't bamboo and are fairly heavy, but they do have some that offer extra UV protection if that is a concern for you.  Also, the Modern line of Moby wraps are thinner and lighter than their traditional wraps.

Mei Tais and Soft Structured Carriers
Mei Tais and soft structured carriers (buckle carriers) can be another good option for summer babywearing. If you wear your little one a lot and for long periods of time, you might want the support of a two shoulder carrier like these.


When looking for a Mei Tai or soft structured carrier, try to avoid anything made with heavy materials, lots of layers, or padding in the body panel. Thinner, narrower bodied carriers are going to allow more air around you and baby and help keep you both cooler.  You can also find carriers with panel of mesh or other extra venting material.

If you are looking for a buckle carrier designed specifically to be cooler, the Kinderpack with Koolnit is a summer favorite.  The Outback by Onya Baby and the ERGO Performance Baby Carrier are both made with mesh linings that wick away moisture. The BobaAir is a very light and thin option, though made out of nylon, so not as breathable as some carriers. The BobaAir does come in white now too!  And these carriers can't be beat for their portability.


If you prefer mei tais, Earthy Bliss has a wrap conversion mei tai called the Heavenly Breeze that has been designed to be light weight and cooler.  It is made using a single layer of woven wrap for the body panel, so it is lighter and more breathable than other conversions that are usually made with several layers of fabric.  Cotton mei tais, like those by CatBirdBaby or BabyHawk, are generally also decent light weight options, though some are made from thicker, heavier canvas materials, so make sure it's a lighter one if you are specifically looking for something for summer.

Water Carriers
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.  SweetPea Ring Slings, Comfy Joey and TaylorMade Slings make mesh ring slings for use in water.  Mei Tais and buckle carriers designed for water are harder to find, but Connecta makes a Solarweave buckle carrier that is perfect for water use.

See our special blog post for more information about choosing a water carrier.

Sun Protection
As we mentioned, there are a few carriers that offer sun protection, but most do not.  Making sure your little babe doesn't burn is important while enjoying the summer together.  Make sure your baby has a hat, preferably one with a UPF rated fabric.  All fabrics will shade the skin, but just because a fabric offers enough shade to keep your baby from turning red doesn't mean that their sensitive skin is not still being damaged by the UV rays.  Some people also use umbrellas as portable shade.  You may look a little silly at the park, but your baby will thank you.

Tips and Tricks
Here's a few tricks to make babywearing in summer more comfortable.
  • Stay out of the sun!  Seems obvious, I know, but it's probably the single biggest thing you can do to stay cool.  Bring portable shade if you need to.  Umbrellas on a sunny day may look silly, but they feel nice.
  • Bring ice!  Ice feels great when it's hot.  Drink it, carry some ice water in a spray bottle, or soak a bandanna in it and drape it around your necks!  Some people like to put frozen gel packs between them and baby to stay cool, but make sure not to let baby's skin get too cold!
  • Dress light.  Strip baby down before putting them in the carrier.  You can always throw their onsie back on as soon as you take them out.
  • Cover up.  It sounds weird, but sometimes adding thin, breathable fabrics that keep the sun off your skin can actually make you feel cooler.  If being in the sun is unavoidable, draping a thin layer of sun friendly fabric over you and/or baby can save your skin from those hot rays.

Final thought
Summer is hot and having your baby touch you is never going to be cool. That being said, a little sweat never hurt anyone and it's worth the added convenience and snuggles you get in exchange! So find a carrier that makes you more comfortable and enjoy your summer!

For more general information on fabric options and carrier styles when choosing a summer carrier, see our Warm Weather Babywearing post.


Have a tip you'd like to share? Contact us, we'd love to hear it!

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Price Increase for Wrapsody


Wrapsody has announced a small price increase for their wraps.  The new prices will go into affect Feb 1st, 2014.  If you know you plan to get one, you might as well buy before the price increase and save a few dollars.  But don't worry if you have to wait, it won't cost you more than $4.


Current
Feb 1st
Stretch-Hybrid$86.00
$89.00

Breeze
$79.00
$83.00

WrapDuO
$68.00
$69.00


Visit Zerberts to buy your Wrapsody wrap carrier!



Wednesday, January 8, 2014

MommyCon Chicago Giveaway!

MommyCon is coming to Chicago and we want you to go!  Enter to win a ticket for you AND a friend to attend MommyCon Chicago on March 1st, 2014.  As an added bonus, you get to select one of our exclusive baby carrier wraps by Wrapsody: Amethyst or Walden!

Not local?  Enter anyway for a chance to win one of our exclusive wraps!


MommyCon is a great event for moms and moms to be.  Vendors and speakers provide tons of information on a wide variety of topics and products.  Learn how to properly install car seats or try a variety of baby carriers in the Babywearing Lounge.  For more information on MommyCon Chicago, including time and location, visit the MommyCon Chicago page.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Last day to enter is Jan 19th.  Entries will be confirmed.  Any entry that can not be verified for any reason will be disqualified and will not be eligible to win.  Winners will be contacted but will not be announced until they are confirmed via email.

Free shipping inside the US.  International winners will be responsible for shipping costs and may be responsible for import fees and duties.

Hope to see you there!