For a long time we have offered shipping to Canada. I grew up in Alaska and remember not being able to order things because the companies didn't ship to us. So when I started a business, I knew I wanted to offer shipping to Alaska and Hawaii, and Canada just seemed like the natural next step.
Over the years, I have had great customers in Canada who I have happily shipped baby carriers to. But after recently speaking with some Canadian retailers, I have decided to stop shipping to Canada. The decision to stop shipping to Canada was not an easy one, but something I feel is the right thing to do.
Canadian retailers pay duties and shipping when they import their products to Canada. This is often reflected in their pricing and some brands actually do not allow their US retailers to ship their brand to Canada for that very reason. A Canadian retailer that pays these costs in order to supply their local customers with products can not compete with the US prices that do not reflect those fees. Often, an individual can import a package without paying duties and customers will order from the US hoping they will get a cheaper price. And a company like mine that was offering flat rate shipping only exacerbates the issue.
So, after much consideration, we have decided to encourage our Canadian and international customers to shop locally. We don't want to prevent our customers from having access to certain
products that may not be available in Canada, so if there is something unique to our store that you would
like to order, we would be more than
happy to ship it to you. But we will no longer offer shipping to Canada through our web store and Canadian customers will have to contact us directly to place an order just like our other international customers. They will also be responsible to pay the entire shipping cost for their order as well as any duties they may be charged.
Our goal is not to alienate anyone, and I understand this will hurt my business by costing me sales. But I feel strongly that we should support the retailers in Canada that have imported carriers at no small cost in order to make sure their customers have access to a variety of baby carriers waiting to ship.
Here's a list of babywearing companies in Canada:
Tadpoles & Butterflies (Alberta)
Kissable Baby (Alberta)
Milkface (Ontario)
GorgeousBaby (British Columbia)
Precious Earth (Saskatchewan)
More to come!
Thank you all for your understanding and support!
Sharing what we know about babywearing with you!
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Thursday, August 30, 2012
The Co-op Controversy
Co-ops seem to be popping up everywhere and is quickly becoming a hot topic in the babywearing community. Co-ops have always existed, but I think Facebook and other on-line communities are making them have a much wider audience and much greater impact.
Recently, in attempt to deal with an ongoing problem with unauthorized co-ops, BabyHawk made an announcement that they will no longer honor any product warranties for products that are not sold by an authorized retailer. This has spurred quite a debate in the community between people that believe co-ops are harmless and the companies that are trying to prevent them.
This blog post is an attempt to shed some light on this issue, explaining what kind of co-ops these business are trying to protect their products against. I will do my best to explain this as thoroughly and to the best of my understanding as I am able, but I am sure there are aspects I will miss or could explain better. I will edit and add anything that is brought up that appears to be a valid piece that may have been overlooked.
Co-op is a short term for a "cooperative".
For the purpose of this post, there are generally two kinds of co-ops you will find. The first are co-ops sanctioned by the manufacturer of a product and the second are done by an "authorized" retailer or third party and are not legit.
Companies will often have co-ops to help them grow their business. Co-ops are a great way for a small business to get their band and product to the public. They are also sometimes used to clear out discontinued products, colors or prints. Some companies do allow their retailers to run legit co-ops, but most make all their retailers sign contracts that agree not to do co-ops and to follow the approved pricing. Legit co-ops can be a great way for people to get a discount by buying in bulk and can be a good thing for everyone.
Illegitimate co-ops, the ones that will will be talking about in this post, are when a retailer or other party sells the products at a greatly reduced price, far below retail cost. This is done "under the table" without the companies consent and often directly in conflict with the wholesale agreement they signed. They usually make only a fraction of a profit per item counting on a high volume of sales to bring in their profits.
These co-ops should not be confused with some of the small buying co-ops that people will put together in order to get a discount by buying in bulk. This is a retailer or someone who applied as a retailer under fraudulent circumstances that is grossly abusing the status they have been granted by selling products at a significantly lower cost in order to turn a quick profit.
Just for clarification, small co-op groups run by people, not "retailers", that participate in group buying to get a discount is not the problem. These types of co-ops are approved by a company when their business model includes co-ops. It is not the same as a retailer not following their contract. I would go into more detail, but that is what the remainder of this post is about.
Sales are great right? Everyone loves a discount! So what is the problem with getting something for a great price? Well there are risks when you obtain something under fraudulent circumstances, whether you were aware of it being fraudulent or not.
One of the biggest things people need to be aware of, especially with certain larger brands like Ergo, is that knock off carriers are produced and sold through co-ops and rarely through legitimate stores. This does not mean that a store couldn't buy knock off carriers or that all co-ops sell knock offs, but it is not likely that a legit business would take that kind of risk just to make a few extra dollars. Companies have to protect and separate themselves from knock offs, especially since they are often made with inferior construction and materials. The best way for them to do this is to not allow their products to be sold through co-ops and to only honor carriers purchased through an authorized retailer.
That is exactly the reason why many companies will not honor warranties for their products unless purchased by an authorized retailer. But if it's not a knock off, the product must come from an "authorized" retailer right? Yes, technically the company authorized them and sold them the products. But once the retailer breached their agreement, they are no longer "authorized" and the contract with the company is no longer valid. If a company has a reason to suspect a retailer has breached their agreement and devalued their product, they are within their rights.
Many of these "retailers" are not retailers. These co-ops are often being run by people or "businesses" that are disregarding the regulations and standards that other retailers must comply with. This is even more important when dealing with imported products, but I will go into that a bit later.
Buying a product at 40% off may not seem like it's hurting anyone, especially when the "retailer" is willing to sell them for that price. But in reality, it doesn't stop there. Saturating the market with under priced carriers hurts everyone.
Selling a low priced carrier does not stop with the person that purchased the product. It has a trickle affect that really impacts the entire market. Some people will buy the carrier and love it, so they will keep it for a year or two before selling it to someone else. But some people will decide not to keep their carrier and sell it right away. This swamps the market with cheap carriers. Now the mom that was trying to sell a lightly used one at a loss can't even sell hers because there are brand new ones for sale at 40% off retail. Retail sales drop for that carrier because no one wants to pay full price when there are plenty available or another co-op starting in a month or two. Eventually the retailer clearances their carriers because they aren't selling and stop stocking that brand. Now the parent company has lost their retailer and the orders they were placing. Sure, they had the initial large sale, so they still made their original profit from the co-oped carriers, but now their product has lost value and people don't want to pay the full retail price.
Can you see how it affects everyone? And most of those retail shops are small family owned businesses, many owned and run by work at home moms (WAHMs). These business count on the products they buy having value in order to stay open. Even a small loss can be enough to close a small business like that.
The damage done by a co-op is even worse if the products are knock offs. Flooding the market with knock offs damages the consumer confidence in a product and can greatly impact sales. Some of you may be aware of some of the damage done when a huge amount of fake Ergos were imported and sold in the US a while back. Companies like Ergo, Beco, Moby, and other larger brands are especially at risk for being copied and reproduced. These products are often made with inferior construction and materials and can often be unsafe. Find out more about fake carriers on the BCIA website.
The companies that manufacture a product do so at a great cost. It takes them time and significant investment to grow their product and they can only exist if their product has value. People will happily pay the retail price when they know it is an investment that they can sell down the road. But if the market is swamped with cheap carriers, no one will want to pay retail because that product is no longer worth that much. That is why many companies, like Sakura Bloom, go through great lengths not to discount and undervalue their products. It is out of loyalty to the brand they have created, their customers, and their retailers that they do their best to maintain the value of their products.
Maybe you're not worried about the value of your carrier and aren't concerned about the impact of co-ops on businesses, you just know you can't afford full price and so why not? But devaluing these products actually impacts the entire babywearing industry. When co-ops flood the market with cheap carriers, it makes is harder for existing companies to stay in business or grow and makes it even harder for new brands to emerge when the price of baby carriers have been undervalued to a point where they can't charge a fair price for their product. Also, if stores can't sell the baby carriers they purchase, they will be forced to stop carrying them, which means people will have less access to baby carriers and babywearing in general.
I also want to add that this is not an issue that solely affects the babywearing industry. The same can be seen with many other products, including cloth diapers, designer bags, strollers, etc. In all cases, co-ops like these can undervalue and damage the product line involved and impacts the market as a whole.
So what's the difference between supporting a WAHM that runs legit retail business or one that runs a co-op without having an actual retail store?
When a retail store, whether on-line or brick and mortar, decides to carry a brand, it is an investment. They have to carefully select what brands they choose to carry because stocking a product is costly. Retail stores have overhead expenses to be in business, with brick and mortar significantly more than on-line shops. Stocking their shelves with a products in a variety of colors and sizes for people to choose from is necessary to attract customers, but comes with a significant up front cost. So a retail business must be careful when choosing what products to stock since something that is sitting on a shelf is costing the store money and keeping them from buying more products.
When a person or business runs a co-op like the ones we have been talking about, they have little to no upfront costs, no risk, is able to easily attract a large number of sales, and get paid in full before ordering. People mistakenly believe this retailer is doing THEM a favor by offering such a great deal, but in actuality, these are quick, easy sales that allow them to turn a quick profit. Purchasing from a co-op like this does not support small businesses or work at home moms, it is one person profiting at the expense of other small businesses and work at home moms.
Like co-ops, pre-orders are done when a retailer allows customers to pre-order a product for a discounted rate. These are especially common for international orders that have to be imported since the shipping cost is much higher.
Customers usually can not justify ordering directly from overseas since the shipping and import costs for one item makes it not cost effective. A retailer will often open a pre-order when placing international orders. This lets the customer to choose the exact product they wanted which allows the retailer make sure they import the products their customers actually want to purchase. The cost for both the retailer and the customer to import a product is then shared, and retailers will often pass this discount on to the customers as a thank you for pre-ordering and waiting for their product to arrive.
So a pre-order is a discount on shipping and import costs and not the same as selling a product slightly above wholesale. Both the retailer and the customer benefit from this arrangement and the overall market is not affected by these slight discounts.
One of the biggest issues with co-ops applies only to international orders. A retailer has certain responsibilities when they import a product to the US. There are regulations that require a retailer take certain steps to make sure a product is safe and able to be tracked in the event of a product recall. All baby carriers sold in the US must have product registration cards as well as tagging that identifies the model number, manufacture date and manufacture location. International manufactures often are not in compliance with the US regulations, so it is the responsibility of the retailer importing these carriers to meet these requirement. This is done at the cost of the retailer, while many co-ops are knowingly ignoring these regulations because they are not worried about the consequences. Not being an actual store with overhead and inventory, there is little motivation for them to meet the regulations that apply to retailers.
For the reasons listed above, it is important that a consumer is careful when they are purchasing from a co-op, especially to make sure that you are not getting an inferior imitation and that your manufacturer warranty will be valid. But how do you tell the difference between a legitimate sale and an unauthorized co-op? The simplest way... if it's too good to be true, then it probably is.
Unless a brand is changing to a new model or discontinuing a specific print, it is very unlikely that you will see sales of 20%, 30% or 40% off retail. There are some exceptions of course, like Black Friday and Cyber Monday events. But most of these sales are easily confirmed on the parent company's website and will be available at many, if not all, authorized retailers that carry their products.
One of the quickest ways to determine if this is an actual store or someone with a resellers license that is selling products under fraudulent circumstances is to look at the "store" itself. Do they carry a stock? Are there a variety of carriers available for purchase? Do products ordered ship right away or do they fill all orders on a drop ship only basis? Though many legit companies offer certain products through drop shipping, but it could be a warning sign if it is the only kind of products they carry. If it looks like a store that you can actually buy from, then it is more likely to be an authorized sale. But if it looks like a blog, facebook group or somewhere that only does "pre-orders", "co-ops" or drop shipping, it is less likely to be a legit run retailer.
You may occasionally find a store that has a product on clearance to make room for something else, but some companies like Sakura Bloom even discourage that kind of discounting, asking instead that carriers be sold back to the parent company. Items available for clearance will also always be in-stock carriers and never a co-op or pre-order.
If you are concerned that a company may be running an illegitimate co-op, check the manufacturer's website and see if they are an authorized retailer. If they do in fact show up, contact the company and ask if this is an authorized sale. If it is, you can confidently buy knowing that the product you are buying is safe and will have value.
Because BabyHawk and other companies are coming out against these unauthorized co-ops, many co-ops are quickly trying to re-name themselves. Some are saying "co-op" is just the word they are using, but they are actually just "trying to offer carriers at the best price they can". But if this price is against the wholesale agreement they signed with the company, they are running an unauthorized co-op no matter what they say or call it.
One of the things these people will sometimes say is that they don't care about money, they are just trying to make babywearing available to everyone. While I believe some really are just in it for the quick profit, I do think there are some people out there that do have good intentions and do not realize the harm they are actually doing. But offering people carriers far under market value does not help the babywearing industry, it hurts it. It makes is harder for existing companies to stay in business or grow and makes it even harder for new brands to emerge when the price of baby carriers have been undervalued to a point where they can't charge a fair price when they enter the market.
Almost all of the people involved in the babywearing community are passionate about babywearing and want it to be available to everyone. Many of the retailers and companies support local babywearing groups and work with individuals to help them find a carrier they can afford. Sometimes this means a payment plan, sometimes it means buying clearance, returned, or even used carriers, sometimes this means helping a "customer" find a way to make their own.
Babywearing should be available to everyone, but that does not mean carriers should be sold for less than they are worth. Jan Andrea of Sleeping Baby Productions is someone well known and respected in the community for her passion about babywearing and helping make affordable slings available to anyone. Here's a great quote that was posted on the Sleeping Baby Productions Facebook page about this very topic:
Before I understood the impact of co-ops like this, I will admit that I participated in one before. It wasn't for baby carriers, but it doesn't matter. I also accidentally under priced a product when I first opened not realizing the costs involved in importing. But we learn. Our awareness changes. It's what we do once we have that information that is important. Now I do what I can to help people out without undercutting the products and brands I am privileged to carry.
Thank you for taking your time understand this topic more thoroughly. I truly believe most of us want to continue to see the babywearing industry thrive and together we can keep it strong.
More information provided below in the comments section.
Recently, in attempt to deal with an ongoing problem with unauthorized co-ops, BabyHawk made an announcement that they will no longer honor any product warranties for products that are not sold by an authorized retailer. This has spurred quite a debate in the community between people that believe co-ops are harmless and the companies that are trying to prevent them.
This blog post is an attempt to shed some light on this issue, explaining what kind of co-ops these business are trying to protect their products against. I will do my best to explain this as thoroughly and to the best of my understanding as I am able, but I am sure there are aspects I will miss or could explain better. I will edit and add anything that is brought up that appears to be a valid piece that may have been overlooked.
What is a co-op?
Co-op is a short term for a "cooperative".
A cooperative is an autonomous association of persons who voluntarily cooperate for their mutual social, economic, and cultural benefit.When we are talking about co-ops, we are referring to a large group of people that group buy a product in order to receive a price discount.
Two kinds of co-ops
For the purpose of this post, there are generally two kinds of co-ops you will find. The first are co-ops sanctioned by the manufacturer of a product and the second are done by an "authorized" retailer or third party and are not legit.
Companies will often have co-ops to help them grow their business. Co-ops are a great way for a small business to get their band and product to the public. They are also sometimes used to clear out discontinued products, colors or prints. Some companies do allow their retailers to run legit co-ops, but most make all their retailers sign contracts that agree not to do co-ops and to follow the approved pricing. Legit co-ops can be a great way for people to get a discount by buying in bulk and can be a good thing for everyone.
Illegitimate co-ops, the ones that will will be talking about in this post, are when a retailer or other party sells the products at a greatly reduced price, far below retail cost. This is done "under the table" without the companies consent and often directly in conflict with the wholesale agreement they signed. They usually make only a fraction of a profit per item counting on a high volume of sales to bring in their profits.
These co-ops should not be confused with some of the small buying co-ops that people will put together in order to get a discount by buying in bulk. This is a retailer or someone who applied as a retailer under fraudulent circumstances that is grossly abusing the status they have been granted by selling products at a significantly lower cost in order to turn a quick profit.
Just for clarification, small co-op groups run by people, not "retailers", that participate in group buying to get a discount is not the problem. These types of co-ops are approved by a company when their business model includes co-ops. It is not the same as a retailer not following their contract. I would go into more detail, but that is what the remainder of this post is about.
So what is the problem?
Sales are great right? Everyone loves a discount! So what is the problem with getting something for a great price? Well there are risks when you obtain something under fraudulent circumstances, whether you were aware of it being fraudulent or not.
One of the biggest things people need to be aware of, especially with certain larger brands like Ergo, is that knock off carriers are produced and sold through co-ops and rarely through legitimate stores. This does not mean that a store couldn't buy knock off carriers or that all co-ops sell knock offs, but it is not likely that a legit business would take that kind of risk just to make a few extra dollars. Companies have to protect and separate themselves from knock offs, especially since they are often made with inferior construction and materials. The best way for them to do this is to not allow their products to be sold through co-ops and to only honor carriers purchased through an authorized retailer.
That is exactly the reason why many companies will not honor warranties for their products unless purchased by an authorized retailer. But if it's not a knock off, the product must come from an "authorized" retailer right? Yes, technically the company authorized them and sold them the products. But once the retailer breached their agreement, they are no longer "authorized" and the contract with the company is no longer valid. If a company has a reason to suspect a retailer has breached their agreement and devalued their product, they are within their rights.
Many of these "retailers" are not retailers. These co-ops are often being run by people or "businesses" that are disregarding the regulations and standards that other retailers must comply with. This is even more important when dealing with imported products, but I will go into that a bit later.
Who does it hurt?
Buying a product at 40% off may not seem like it's hurting anyone, especially when the "retailer" is willing to sell them for that price. But in reality, it doesn't stop there. Saturating the market with under priced carriers hurts everyone.
Selling a low priced carrier does not stop with the person that purchased the product. It has a trickle affect that really impacts the entire market. Some people will buy the carrier and love it, so they will keep it for a year or two before selling it to someone else. But some people will decide not to keep their carrier and sell it right away. This swamps the market with cheap carriers. Now the mom that was trying to sell a lightly used one at a loss can't even sell hers because there are brand new ones for sale at 40% off retail. Retail sales drop for that carrier because no one wants to pay full price when there are plenty available or another co-op starting in a month or two. Eventually the retailer clearances their carriers because they aren't selling and stop stocking that brand. Now the parent company has lost their retailer and the orders they were placing. Sure, they had the initial large sale, so they still made their original profit from the co-oped carriers, but now their product has lost value and people don't want to pay the full retail price.
Can you see how it affects everyone? And most of those retail shops are small family owned businesses, many owned and run by work at home moms (WAHMs). These business count on the products they buy having value in order to stay open. Even a small loss can be enough to close a small business like that.
The damage done by a co-op is even worse if the products are knock offs. Flooding the market with knock offs damages the consumer confidence in a product and can greatly impact sales. Some of you may be aware of some of the damage done when a huge amount of fake Ergos were imported and sold in the US a while back. Companies like Ergo, Beco, Moby, and other larger brands are especially at risk for being copied and reproduced. These products are often made with inferior construction and materials and can often be unsafe. Find out more about fake carriers on the BCIA website.
The companies that manufacture a product do so at a great cost. It takes them time and significant investment to grow their product and they can only exist if their product has value. People will happily pay the retail price when they know it is an investment that they can sell down the road. But if the market is swamped with cheap carriers, no one will want to pay retail because that product is no longer worth that much. That is why many companies, like Sakura Bloom, go through great lengths not to discount and undervalue their products. It is out of loyalty to the brand they have created, their customers, and their retailers that they do their best to maintain the value of their products.
Maybe you're not worried about the value of your carrier and aren't concerned about the impact of co-ops on businesses, you just know you can't afford full price and so why not? But devaluing these products actually impacts the entire babywearing industry. When co-ops flood the market with cheap carriers, it makes is harder for existing companies to stay in business or grow and makes it even harder for new brands to emerge when the price of baby carriers have been undervalued to a point where they can't charge a fair price for their product. Also, if stores can't sell the baby carriers they purchase, they will be forced to stop carrying them, which means people will have less access to baby carriers and babywearing in general.
I also want to add that this is not an issue that solely affects the babywearing industry. The same can be seen with many other products, including cloth diapers, designer bags, strollers, etc. In all cases, co-ops like these can undervalue and damage the product line involved and impacts the market as a whole.
Apples to oranges
So what's the difference between supporting a WAHM that runs legit retail business or one that runs a co-op without having an actual retail store?
When a retail store, whether on-line or brick and mortar, decides to carry a brand, it is an investment. They have to carefully select what brands they choose to carry because stocking a product is costly. Retail stores have overhead expenses to be in business, with brick and mortar significantly more than on-line shops. Stocking their shelves with a products in a variety of colors and sizes for people to choose from is necessary to attract customers, but comes with a significant up front cost. So a retail business must be careful when choosing what products to stock since something that is sitting on a shelf is costing the store money and keeping them from buying more products.
When a person or business runs a co-op like the ones we have been talking about, they have little to no upfront costs, no risk, is able to easily attract a large number of sales, and get paid in full before ordering. People mistakenly believe this retailer is doing THEM a favor by offering such a great deal, but in actuality, these are quick, easy sales that allow them to turn a quick profit. Purchasing from a co-op like this does not support small businesses or work at home moms, it is one person profiting at the expense of other small businesses and work at home moms.
What about pre-orders?
Like co-ops, pre-orders are done when a retailer allows customers to pre-order a product for a discounted rate. These are especially common for international orders that have to be imported since the shipping cost is much higher.
Customers usually can not justify ordering directly from overseas since the shipping and import costs for one item makes it not cost effective. A retailer will often open a pre-order when placing international orders. This lets the customer to choose the exact product they wanted which allows the retailer make sure they import the products their customers actually want to purchase. The cost for both the retailer and the customer to import a product is then shared, and retailers will often pass this discount on to the customers as a thank you for pre-ordering and waiting for their product to arrive.
So a pre-order is a discount on shipping and import costs and not the same as selling a product slightly above wholesale. Both the retailer and the customer benefit from this arrangement and the overall market is not affected by these slight discounts.
International products
One of the biggest issues with co-ops applies only to international orders. A retailer has certain responsibilities when they import a product to the US. There are regulations that require a retailer take certain steps to make sure a product is safe and able to be tracked in the event of a product recall. All baby carriers sold in the US must have product registration cards as well as tagging that identifies the model number, manufacture date and manufacture location. International manufactures often are not in compliance with the US regulations, so it is the responsibility of the retailer importing these carriers to meet these requirement. This is done at the cost of the retailer, while many co-ops are knowingly ignoring these regulations because they are not worried about the consequences. Not being an actual store with overhead and inventory, there is little motivation for them to meet the regulations that apply to retailers.
What to look for
For the reasons listed above, it is important that a consumer is careful when they are purchasing from a co-op, especially to make sure that you are not getting an inferior imitation and that your manufacturer warranty will be valid. But how do you tell the difference between a legitimate sale and an unauthorized co-op? The simplest way... if it's too good to be true, then it probably is.
Unless a brand is changing to a new model or discontinuing a specific print, it is very unlikely that you will see sales of 20%, 30% or 40% off retail. There are some exceptions of course, like Black Friday and Cyber Monday events. But most of these sales are easily confirmed on the parent company's website and will be available at many, if not all, authorized retailers that carry their products.
One of the quickest ways to determine if this is an actual store or someone with a resellers license that is selling products under fraudulent circumstances is to look at the "store" itself. Do they carry a stock? Are there a variety of carriers available for purchase? Do products ordered ship right away or do they fill all orders on a drop ship only basis? Though many legit companies offer certain products through drop shipping, but it could be a warning sign if it is the only kind of products they carry. If it looks like a store that you can actually buy from, then it is more likely to be an authorized sale. But if it looks like a blog, facebook group or somewhere that only does "pre-orders", "co-ops" or drop shipping, it is less likely to be a legit run retailer.
You may occasionally find a store that has a product on clearance to make room for something else, but some companies like Sakura Bloom even discourage that kind of discounting, asking instead that carriers be sold back to the parent company. Items available for clearance will also always be in-stock carriers and never a co-op or pre-order.
If you are concerned that a company may be running an illegitimate co-op, check the manufacturer's website and see if they are an authorized retailer. If they do in fact show up, contact the company and ask if this is an authorized sale. If it is, you can confidently buy knowing that the product you are buying is safe and will have value.
By any other name
Because BabyHawk and other companies are coming out against these unauthorized co-ops, many co-ops are quickly trying to re-name themselves. Some are saying "co-op" is just the word they are using, but they are actually just "trying to offer carriers at the best price they can". But if this price is against the wholesale agreement they signed with the company, they are running an unauthorized co-op no matter what they say or call it.
Making babywearing available to everyone
One of the things these people will sometimes say is that they don't care about money, they are just trying to make babywearing available to everyone. While I believe some really are just in it for the quick profit, I do think there are some people out there that do have good intentions and do not realize the harm they are actually doing. But offering people carriers far under market value does not help the babywearing industry, it hurts it. It makes is harder for existing companies to stay in business or grow and makes it even harder for new brands to emerge when the price of baby carriers have been undervalued to a point where they can't charge a fair price when they enter the market.
Almost all of the people involved in the babywearing community are passionate about babywearing and want it to be available to everyone. Many of the retailers and companies support local babywearing groups and work with individuals to help them find a carrier they can afford. Sometimes this means a payment plan, sometimes it means buying clearance, returned, or even used carriers, sometimes this means helping a "customer" find a way to make their own.
Babywearing should be available to everyone, but that does not mean carriers should be sold for less than they are worth. Jan Andrea of Sleeping Baby Productions is someone well known and respected in the community for her passion about babywearing and helping make affordable slings available to anyone. Here's a great quote that was posted on the Sleeping Baby Productions Facebook page about this very topic:
"I love a bargain, and I know a lot of other people do, too, but... If you buy something from a co-op that's priced way below retail, you're not merely getting a bargain. You're also helping to undercut the small businesses who do follow pricing guidelines and abide by manufacturers' contracts... businesses that, in this field, are usually run by work from home moms just like me. Even "large" manufacturers in the babywearing world are moms -- there are no millionaires in this business (believe me!). I've heard of at least two co-op directors recently who fraudulently applied to be vendors, planning to resell at practically wholesale prices. Yes, absolutely, this appeals to the bargain-hunter in all of us... but I hope people will consider the fact that this is taking sales away from moms who are just trying to make a living promoting babywearing.NuzzleMe Creations is another babywearing company that started the Feel Good Child Carrier Movement. Companies participate in giveaways and fundraisers to help people. Our store has even loaned out a carrier for a mama to use with her preemie until her baby is big enough to use the carrier she originally purchased. There are lots of companies out there doing what they can to help people afford babywearing, but it must be done in a way that allows the babywearing industry to grow and flourish.
And before you say "but I can't afford X carrier at retail!", please remember that in most of the world, mothers make do with a piece of cloth... and that's really all you need. We get all worked up about the latest wrap woven from unicorn hair by fairies, but honestly? In the end, it's a piece of cloth. You don't *need* X carrier to babywear, and if you can't afford X carrier at its market value, it's really not the end of the world. You can still babywear. Or you can get X carrier second-hand, or do a payment plan with a legitimate vendor, or make your own. Just don't imagine that when you buy from a co-op vendor, there are no victims, because there are -- moms like me, who are doing their best to help other parents wear their babies, and make a halfway decent living doing so."
My hands aren't clean
Before I understood the impact of co-ops like this, I will admit that I participated in one before. It wasn't for baby carriers, but it doesn't matter. I also accidentally under priced a product when I first opened not realizing the costs involved in importing. But we learn. Our awareness changes. It's what we do once we have that information that is important. Now I do what I can to help people out without undercutting the products and brands I am privileged to carry.
Thank you
Thank you for taking your time understand this topic more thoroughly. I truly believe most of us want to continue to see the babywearing industry thrive and together we can keep it strong.
More information provided below in the comments section.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Boba & Peekaru
As some of you already know, Boba and Peekaru have teamed up. Boba has acquired the current stock of Peekaru products. They are currently selling off the old stock and will be re-branding the products under the Boba name. Currently, only the Peekaru vests and hoodies are planned to be released, the Peekaru Ozone and Peekaru Soft Shell will not scheduled to be re-released by Boba.
Peekaru makes outerwear that is made to be used while babywearing. Whether wearing your baby at the beach or out in the bitter cold, Peekaru has you covered!
Peekaru Original
This is the original babywearing vest that was made by Peekaru. It's made of fleece and currently comes in several colors and sizes. We don't know yet what colors and sizes Boba will carry when they re-release this product. Find out more about the Peekaru Original.
Peekaru Hoodie
The Peekaru Hoodie is currently out of stock, but Boba is planning to release more under the Boba name late this year. This is designed to be worn when there is a chill in the air, but it's still too warm for the Peekaru Original.
Peekaru Soft Shell
The Peekaru Soft Shell is a babywearing coat designed to keep you and your baby warm while you enjoy participating in outdoor winter activities. Snaps at the neck opening between you and your baby let you control the temperature. (find out more about this babywearing coat) As of right now, Boba has not plans of re-producting these coats, so they are only available for a limited time.
Peekaru Ozone
This Peekaru product was designed for summer. This light weight, breathable cover provides 95% protection from UV rays. They can be used to provide shade and protection while your baby is being worn in a carrier, being carried in an infant car seat or riding in a stroller. These are also not scheduled to be restocked by Boba at this time, so availability is limited. (find out more about the Ozone cover)
Boba is eager to clear out their current stock to make way for the newly re-branded versions. Because of this, they have authorized a huge sale of the remaining Peekaru products at greatly reduced prices! This is great news for everyone, but there is limited availability and many colors and sizes have already sold out. So if you're interested in any of these great products, get yours now! You can see our current stock and sale prices on our website.
What are the Peekaru products?
Peekaru makes outerwear that is made to be used while babywearing. Whether wearing your baby at the beach or out in the bitter cold, Peekaru has you covered!
Peekaru Original
This is the original babywearing vest that was made by Peekaru. It's made of fleece and currently comes in several colors and sizes. We don't know yet what colors and sizes Boba will carry when they re-release this product. Find out more about the Peekaru Original.
Peekaru Hoodie
The Peekaru Hoodie is currently out of stock, but Boba is planning to release more under the Boba name late this year. This is designed to be worn when there is a chill in the air, but it's still too warm for the Peekaru Original.
Peekaru Soft Shell
The Peekaru Soft Shell is a babywearing coat designed to keep you and your baby warm while you enjoy participating in outdoor winter activities. Snaps at the neck opening between you and your baby let you control the temperature. (find out more about this babywearing coat) As of right now, Boba has not plans of re-producting these coats, so they are only available for a limited time.
Peekaru Ozone
This Peekaru product was designed for summer. This light weight, breathable cover provides 95% protection from UV rays. They can be used to provide shade and protection while your baby is being worn in a carrier, being carried in an infant car seat or riding in a stroller. These are also not scheduled to be restocked by Boba at this time, so availability is limited. (find out more about the Ozone cover)
Get yours now!
Boba is eager to clear out their current stock to make way for the newly re-branded versions. Because of this, they have authorized a huge sale of the remaining Peekaru products at greatly reduced prices! This is great news for everyone, but there is limited availability and many colors and sizes have already sold out. So if you're interested in any of these great products, get yours now! You can see our current stock and sale prices on our website.
Happy Shopping!
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
NEW! BobaAir
Boba has designed an ultra lightweight, compact soft structured baby carrier... the BobaAir!
The BobaAir, just released today, is a brand new and unique product from the Boba Family. This soft structured carrier is made out of 100% Nylon making it easy to clean, durable, and very compact. Weighing only 0.7lbs, the BobaAir folds up into itself for easy storage. It can easily be kept in your purse, diaper bag, or even glove box!
Features:
- 100% Nylon - easy to clean, durable, light, and water resistant
- Use for front and back carries with children 15-45 lbs
- Designed includes sleeping hood and storage pocket
- Large zipper pouch for on-the-go storage - simply stuff and go, no special folding needed
- Elastic bands neatly roll up straps for storage
- Easily adjustable chest strap
Specs:
- Lightweight – only .7 pounds (11oz)
- Comfortably fits heights 5'0" – 6'3"
- Waistband range: 27" – 55"
- Body of carrier rises 16"
So if you're looking for a lightweight carrier that is super portable, this is just what you were waiting for! Keep it with you for convenient access when ever you need a baby carrier. When you're done, just stuff it back inside the pocket and zip it up for next time! At only $65, these carriers make the perfect "car carrier" for those unplanned babywearing moments. Order one today at Zerberts.
Update:
A friend and I had a chance to play with the new BobaAir yesterday and we were both pleasantly surprised. Unlike most SSC on the market, the BobaAir has NO padding in the shoulder straps or waist belt. I really expected this to make the carrier less comfortable, especially when using with my 20 month old. But the straps actually hugged my body and weren't uncomfortable at all. Both of us regularly wear padded SSC with our children and both of us found the BobaAir comfortable.
 | |
| My friend and her 15 month old, 26 lb "little" man! |
That being said, no carrier fits everyone the same and there are a few things that I could see causing pressure points on certain people depending on how the carrier fits their body, like the snaps on the shoulder straps for the sleeping hood or the place where the chest belt attaches to the straps. But at $65, I think most people will be very happy with the fit and feel of this carrier, especially if only wearing for shorter periods of time.
Another thing I was curious about was how easily the carrier was to take in and out of it's storage pocket. The pocket flips inside out when removing or storing the carrier. Taking the carrier out is easy enough, but I was nervous that getting it to fit back inside its self would be hard. I was again surprised at how easily I was able to tuck everything up, flip the pocket inside out and then tuck everything inside. It took only a few seconds the first time I tried it. There was no special folding needed and it fit easily, zipping without any issues.
This carrier is lighter in features than the 3G. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles the Boba 3G comes with and also can not snap down into an infant carrier. But at almost half the cost, this carrier is a bargain. Boba has done a great job designing this carrier and achieving the goal of making a light weight, portable baby carrier that is both affordable and comfortable. Well done Boba!
Q&A
There have been a couple questions coming up about the BobaAir that I thought I would answer for you here.
Can the BobaAir be used in the pool?
No, Boba has made it very clear that the BobaAir is not a water carrier. The fabric is water resistant, which will be nice if you get caught in the rain or get a little wet chasing your older child at the splash park, but it is not intended for use in water.
Is it breathable?
Nylon is not known for being a breathable fabric. That being said, the fabric is super thin and light making it cooler than you would expect. There is also no padding adding thickness to any part of the carrier.
Will BobaAir be available in any other colors?
Boba is not planning to release the BobaAir in any other colors. UPDATE: Boba has released the BobaAir in new colors, including a blue and white color.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Hopp Pune - Limited
When Hoppediz first released the Jacquard Pune wraps, people were drawn to their eye catching colors and fun print. But once we got our hands on them, we immediately fell in love with their thin, super soft, floppy feel.
Different from all the other wraps they offer, Hoppediz really seemed to have created a star with this wrap. So I was surprised to learn that Hoppediz is not planning to restock these limited edition wraps once they are gone! Once hearing this, I immediately placed an order for Pune wraps, but I was only able to get the Pink and Purple colorways, Turquoise seems to already be sold out. Hoppediz doesn't have the quantities listed on their website, so I don't know how long we will continue to be able to get these stunning wraps.
I am sad to think these wraps will really be discontinued. I am hoping Hoppediz will decide to order more, but they only ever got one shipment of the Jacquard Chicago Plum, so there is no reason to believe this won't be it for the Pune wraps. Maybe Hoppediz has another Jacquard wrap in the works that will be just as stunning, although these wraps are very different in feel from their Jacquard Chicago. But if you've been waiting to buy one, don't wait too long. For now these are still available, but like the Pune Turquoise, these won't last forever.
Different from all the other wraps they offer, Hoppediz really seemed to have created a star with this wrap. So I was surprised to learn that Hoppediz is not planning to restock these limited edition wraps once they are gone! Once hearing this, I immediately placed an order for Pune wraps, but I was only able to get the Pink and Purple colorways, Turquoise seems to already be sold out. Hoppediz doesn't have the quantities listed on their website, so I don't know how long we will continue to be able to get these stunning wraps.
I am sad to think these wraps will really be discontinued. I am hoping Hoppediz will decide to order more, but they only ever got one shipment of the Jacquard Chicago Plum, so there is no reason to believe this won't be it for the Pune wraps. Maybe Hoppediz has another Jacquard wrap in the works that will be just as stunning, although these wraps are very different in feel from their Jacquard Chicago. But if you've been waiting to buy one, don't wait too long. For now these are still available, but like the Pune Turquoise, these won't last forever.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Water Carriers
Summers are full of fun activities; BBQs, fireworks, camping, hiking, swimming, and more! Like always, babywearing makes it so much easier to be active and enjoy time out with the family when there is a little one in tow. But the heat of summer and types of activities can sometimes cause people to look for more summer friendly babywearing options. (see our 2014 Guide to Summer Baby Carriers) Our family spends a lot of time at the pool and beach, so a water carrier is a must for us to get to enjoy these places as a family.
There are lots of different options for babywearing in and around water. The most common to find are ring slings, but there are carriers out there for every preference. They also come in different kinds of fabrics; some offering sun protection, some stretchy, some not, some mesh, some solid. Which carrier works best for you will depend on several different factors.
How do you plan to use the carrier? You need to decide if this is a carrier you will only be using once in a while for short periods or if you plan to use it often for hours at a time. Some people buy water carriers for the shower where a ring sling would be best because it's easy to pop baby in and out of and allows you to more easily wash around it. But if you are planning to wear your baby twice a week at the pool or for hours at the splash park or beach, then you will want to consider which one you and your little one will be the most comfortable with.
Do you have another light/cooler summer carrier? If you already own a lightweight, airy baby carrier for summer, then you can focus on what exactly it is you want in a water carrier. But if your current baby carrier is too hot and you need something lighter, you may want to find a water carrier that will fit your overall summer needs.
Do you want sun protection? This is more important if you have a very young baby you are not putting sunblock on. Some fabrics offer UV protection, although be aware that Solerveil (not the same as SolarWeave) does not offer the UV protection it had claimed, so look for fabrics that have been third party tested if this is important to you. (see our post on Solarveil) The tail of a ring sling or the sleeping hood on a mei tai or buckle carrier can also offer sun protection for a sleeping baby.
Do you have a heavy baby/toddler? A stretchy carrier might not offer enough support for larger babies when you are out of the water. If you plan on spending most of your time wading in water, than gravity will be less of an issue. But if you plan on wearing your baby while out of the water, like at a splash park or walking along the beach, then you will have to decide if a stretchy fabric will be supportive enough for your child.
Are you on a budget? There is a large range of prices depending on the products you are considering. Since most of us are on a budget, there is a good chance price will be part of your decision and may even trump any other preferences you might have when selecting your carrier. One thing to consider when buying any baby carrier is if you plan to have more kids. If you do, then it is easier to spend money now knowing you will be able to use it with future children. If your budget is really tight, you can find some lower priced mesh ring slings as well as used carriers. You can also make your own ring sling or wrap. Any piece of fabric can be used as a water carrier, it just may be heavy when wet or take longer to dry.
What's your preference? Ultimately, one of the biggest factors to consider is your personal preference. If you love ring slings, then it would be silly to buy a buckle carrier. If you buy a style you know you don't like using, then you may not use it as often as you would a carrier you are more comfortable with. If you've never used a carrier, then research the different styles available and figure out which one you think you'd like best... or ask me!
There are several brands and style of water carriers available.
Ring slings are the easiest carriers to find. They are often made out of a stretchy mesh, sports jersey type fabric. SweetPea Ring Slings, Comfy Joey and TaylorMade Slings all make mesh water slings.
If you prefer wrapping, there are water wraps you can find. Wrapsody has a wrap water carrier called the Wrap(Du)O. Unlike the mesh, sports jersey fabric many water wraps use, the Wrapsody wrap is made with a silky, slinky fabric similar to bathing suit material. It offers sun protection with a UPF 45 rating. Some people also choose to use a Wrapsody Bali Breeze wrap for the water since the light gauze fabric makes it a good overall summer carrier, but you would probably want to check with Wrapsody before regularly using one of their gauze wraps in chlorinated water since the fabric was not designed to be used that way.
Mei tai and full buckle carriers are harder to find, but they are out there. Some use Solarveil, a fabric once believed to offer sun protection (see more about Solarveil), but since this light weight, open weave material is no longer being made, it is very hard to find these carriers and they are most often found used on For Sale Or Trade boards. SolarWeave is easier to find and a great option for summer since it has a UPF 50+ rating. Connecta makes a SolarWeave full buckle, but they are harder to find in the US.
If you want to make your own water carrier, wraps are the easiest to do since they are just one long piece of fabric. Bathing suit material and sports mesh can both easily be purchased, but any fabric can be used, it's just that certain ones will be more comfortable and dry more quickly. Also, some fabrics will need to be hemmed to keep from fraying, where others will not. Designs for ring slings and mei tais can also be found on-line if you have a sewing machine.
DIY water carriers are a good option for some people, but if you plan to use your water carrier a lot or are going to use it with more than one child, then it's worth the investment to buy something that is comfortable, well made to last you through your babywearing days.
While enjoying water play this summer, please keep in mind that these carriers are designed for wading in water and should NEVER be used for swimming. No matter which carrier you use, you must always be mindful of baby's head and water level. Your child should never be submerged under water and it is important to be constantly aware of their breathing. These carriers are NOT a flotation device.
Water carriers are great, whether you are in the shower, pool, at a splash park, the beach, or just playing in the yard with a sprinkler. These carriers are designed to allow you to be hands free, but you have to watch your child just as carefully as you would while you held them. I know this seems like it should go without saying, but I feel like it should be said anyway. Babies move, bend, wiggle, and squirm and therefor need to be constantly monitored. Just be safe and have fun!
A water carrier can let you enjoy activities hands free, so don't let a little one slow you down this summer!
Check out our other summer related posts:
Warm Weather Babywearing
2014 Guide to Summer Baby Carriers
There are lots of different options for babywearing in and around water. The most common to find are ring slings, but there are carriers out there for every preference. They also come in different kinds of fabrics; some offering sun protection, some stretchy, some not, some mesh, some solid. Which carrier works best for you will depend on several different factors.
Some things to consider when looking for a water baby carrier:
How do you plan to use the carrier? You need to decide if this is a carrier you will only be using once in a while for short periods or if you plan to use it often for hours at a time. Some people buy water carriers for the shower where a ring sling would be best because it's easy to pop baby in and out of and allows you to more easily wash around it. But if you are planning to wear your baby twice a week at the pool or for hours at the splash park or beach, then you will want to consider which one you and your little one will be the most comfortable with.
Do you have another light/cooler summer carrier? If you already own a lightweight, airy baby carrier for summer, then you can focus on what exactly it is you want in a water carrier. But if your current baby carrier is too hot and you need something lighter, you may want to find a water carrier that will fit your overall summer needs.
Do you want sun protection? This is more important if you have a very young baby you are not putting sunblock on. Some fabrics offer UV protection, although be aware that Solerveil (not the same as SolarWeave) does not offer the UV protection it had claimed, so look for fabrics that have been third party tested if this is important to you. (see our post on Solarveil) The tail of a ring sling or the sleeping hood on a mei tai or buckle carrier can also offer sun protection for a sleeping baby.
Do you have a heavy baby/toddler? A stretchy carrier might not offer enough support for larger babies when you are out of the water. If you plan on spending most of your time wading in water, than gravity will be less of an issue. But if you plan on wearing your baby while out of the water, like at a splash park or walking along the beach, then you will have to decide if a stretchy fabric will be supportive enough for your child.
Are you on a budget? There is a large range of prices depending on the products you are considering. Since most of us are on a budget, there is a good chance price will be part of your decision and may even trump any other preferences you might have when selecting your carrier. One thing to consider when buying any baby carrier is if you plan to have more kids. If you do, then it is easier to spend money now knowing you will be able to use it with future children. If your budget is really tight, you can find some lower priced mesh ring slings as well as used carriers. You can also make your own ring sling or wrap. Any piece of fabric can be used as a water carrier, it just may be heavy when wet or take longer to dry.
What's your preference? Ultimately, one of the biggest factors to consider is your personal preference. If you love ring slings, then it would be silly to buy a buckle carrier. If you buy a style you know you don't like using, then you may not use it as often as you would a carrier you are more comfortable with. If you've never used a carrier, then research the different styles available and figure out which one you think you'd like best... or ask me!
Water Carriers for Everyone!
There are several brands and style of water carriers available.
Ring slings are the easiest carriers to find. They are often made out of a stretchy mesh, sports jersey type fabric. SweetPea Ring Slings, Comfy Joey and TaylorMade Slings all make mesh water slings.
If you prefer wrapping, there are water wraps you can find. Wrapsody has a wrap water carrier called the Wrap(Du)O. Unlike the mesh, sports jersey fabric many water wraps use, the Wrapsody wrap is made with a silky, slinky fabric similar to bathing suit material. It offers sun protection with a UPF 45 rating. Some people also choose to use a Wrapsody Bali Breeze wrap for the water since the light gauze fabric makes it a good overall summer carrier, but you would probably want to check with Wrapsody before regularly using one of their gauze wraps in chlorinated water since the fabric was not designed to be used that way.
Mei tai and full buckle carriers are harder to find, but they are out there. Some use Solarveil, a fabric once believed to offer sun protection (see more about Solarveil), but since this light weight, open weave material is no longer being made, it is very hard to find these carriers and they are most often found used on For Sale Or Trade boards. SolarWeave is easier to find and a great option for summer since it has a UPF 50+ rating. Connecta makes a SolarWeave full buckle, but they are harder to find in the US.
If you want to make your own water carrier, wraps are the easiest to do since they are just one long piece of fabric. Bathing suit material and sports mesh can both easily be purchased, but any fabric can be used, it's just that certain ones will be more comfortable and dry more quickly. Also, some fabrics will need to be hemmed to keep from fraying, where others will not. Designs for ring slings and mei tais can also be found on-line if you have a sewing machine.
DIY water carriers are a good option for some people, but if you plan to use your water carrier a lot or are going to use it with more than one child, then it's worth the investment to buy something that is comfortable, well made to last you through your babywearing days.
Water Safety
While enjoying water play this summer, please keep in mind that these carriers are designed for wading in water and should NEVER be used for swimming. No matter which carrier you use, you must always be mindful of baby's head and water level. Your child should never be submerged under water and it is important to be constantly aware of their breathing. These carriers are NOT a flotation device.
Water carriers are great, whether you are in the shower, pool, at a splash park, the beach, or just playing in the yard with a sprinkler. These carriers are designed to allow you to be hands free, but you have to watch your child just as carefully as you would while you held them. I know this seems like it should go without saying, but I feel like it should be said anyway. Babies move, bend, wiggle, and squirm and therefor need to be constantly monitored. Just be safe and have fun!
A water carrier can let you enjoy activities hands free, so don't let a little one slow you down this summer!
Check out our other summer related posts:
Warm Weather Babywearing
2014 Guide to Summer Baby Carriers
Saturday, June 9, 2012
2012 Guide to Summer Babywearing
Check out our updated 2014 Guide to Sumemr Baby Carriers
Summer heat is upon us and many people are finding that babywearing in the heat is HOT! Unfortunately, having a little body touch you when it's 90 degrees out is going to feel hot, no matter what. But luckily, there are some carries that are cooler than others and will help keep you and your baby a little more comfortable while babywearing this summer.
First you need to think about what your needs are. If you have a little baby or a toddler that you only wear for short periods of time, a ring sling might be the best option. If you plan to do a lot of babywearing this summer, than you are going to want the comfort of a two shoulder carrier like a mei tai, soft structured carrier (aka buckle carrier), or even a lighter wrap. Here's a run down on the different styles and some of the brands that might work well for you.
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 there are lots of ring slings that are made using fabrics that are cooler and more breathable than others. The super thin Hoppediz Pune wraps we had converted by Kalea Baby make an AMAZINGLY light wrap conversion sling that is thin, lightweight, super soft, but still really supportive. We also had SweetPea Ring Slings convert some Wrapsody Bali Breeze wraps for us. These lightweight gauze wraps are still breathable even as a double layer ring sling. Linen is also a fabric that many people like for summer and you can find them available by Sakura Bloom, SweetPea Ring Slings, and Kalea Baby, as well as other brands. If you can find one, Solarveil is really lightweight and airy, although please be aware that it does not offer any UV protection like once believed (read more here). We do carry a Kalea Baby sling made out of Solarweave, which offers a UPF rating of 50+. This fabric is really lightweight and thin and dries fast, which is why it is listed as a water carrier.
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. 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, both the Pune and Light by Hoppediz are great wraps for summer. They are thin, light weight, and breathable, the Light feels more like a high quality thick cotton sheet while the Jacquard Pune feels more like a traditional woven, only super thin and floppy, but surprisingly supportive. The Amazonas Classic wraps are lighter than many wovens, though they are not well known in the US and are harder to find here. 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.
Wrapsody also makes a stretch wrap that is kind of a hybrid wrap. It's not as stretchy as a standard stretch wrap and can be used comfortably with older, heavier babies. The wraps are thinner than other stretch wraps, making them much lighter and cooler. You can also safely use this wrap to do other carries that are not safe to do in a traditional stretch wrap.
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. 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. 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.
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 will 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 or lots of layers. Thinner, narrower bodied carriers are going to allow more air around you and baby and help keep you both cooler. AngelPack, Olives & Applesauce and Two Mommas Designs are some of my favorite carriers, but there really are too many to list!
Nuzzle Me Creations has designed the NMC Stay Cool Carrier which is designed specifically for summer, but these can be very hard to find. You can also find carriers made out of Solarweave, which is really thin and light and has a UPF 50+ rating, or occasionally find a used carrier made out of Solarveil, which is light and airy, but does not offer any UV protection (see more about Solarveil here).
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. Our Kalea Baby water slings are made with Solarweave, which is super light, dries fast, and has a UPF 50+ rating. SweetPea Ring Slings and TaylorMade make mesh ring slings. Solarveil Mei Tais and ring slings are harder to find, but they are out there, especially if you look for people selling used carriers (see more about Solarveil here).
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!
Summer heat is upon us and many people are finding that babywearing in the heat is HOT! Unfortunately, having a little body touch you when it's 90 degrees out is going to feel hot, no matter what. But luckily, there are some carries that are cooler than others and will help keep you and your baby a little more comfortable while babywearing this summer.
First you need to think about what your needs are. If you have a little baby or a toddler that you only wear for short periods of time, a ring sling might be the best option. If you plan to do a lot of babywearing this summer, than you are going to want the comfort of a two shoulder carrier like a mei tai, soft structured carrier (aka buckle carrier), or even a lighter wrap. Here's a run down on the different styles and some of the brands that might work well for you.
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.
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. 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, both the Pune and Light by Hoppediz are great wraps for summer. They are thin, light weight, and breathable, the Light feels more like a high quality thick cotton sheet while the Jacquard Pune feels more like a traditional woven, only super thin and floppy, but surprisingly supportive. The Amazonas Classic wraps are lighter than many wovens, though they are not well known in the US and are harder to find here. 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.
Wrapsody also makes a stretch wrap that is kind of a hybrid wrap. It's not as stretchy as a standard stretch wrap and can be used comfortably with older, heavier babies. The wraps are thinner than other stretch wraps, making them much lighter and cooler. You can also safely use this wrap to do other carries that are not safe to do in a traditional stretch wrap.
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. 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. 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.
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 will 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 or lots of layers. Thinner, narrower bodied carriers are going to allow more air around you and baby and help keep you both cooler. AngelPack, Olives & Applesauce and Two Mommas Designs are some of my favorite carriers, but there really are too many to list!
Nuzzle Me Creations has designed the NMC Stay Cool Carrier which is designed specifically for summer, but these can be very hard to find. You can also find carriers made out of Solarweave, which is really thin and light and has a UPF 50+ rating, or occasionally find a used carrier made out of Solarveil, which is light and airy, but does not offer any UV protection (see more about Solarveil here).
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. Our Kalea Baby water slings are made with Solarweave, which is super light, dries fast, and has a UPF 50+ rating. SweetPea Ring Slings and TaylorMade make mesh ring slings. Solarveil Mei Tais and ring slings are harder to find, but they are out there, especially if you look for people selling used carriers (see more about Solarveil here).
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!
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