2011 Guide to Summer Baby Carriers

It's time to start thinking about summer babywearing and finding the right summer carrier for you and your little ones.  Summer is hot and wearing a little one in summer is going to be hot too.  But fortunately, there are some options to help keep you and your baby a little more comfortable while babywearing in the heat.

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 or soft structured carrier (aka buckle carrier).  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.

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

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.

So if you are looking for a woven, Hoppediz makes a Hopp Light that is very nice for summer. It is extremely thin and soft and reminds people of a very expensive cotton sheet. Amazonas Classic wraps are also woven wraps that are very light and breathable. The weave on these still feels like a woven without being thick and hot. Vatanai and Didymos linens are other brands of lighter woven wraps that people recommend for warmer weather.

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

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.  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, but they do have some that offers extra UV protection.

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. Action Baby Carrier, AngelPack, Olives & Applesauce and Baby Hawk are some of my favorite carriers, but there really are too many to list! You can also look for Mei Tais made from solarveil fabric, which are breathable and can be used as water carriers, but can be very hard to find since solarveil is no longer being manufactured.

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. TaylorMade makes mesh ring slings. Solarveil Mei Tais are harder to find, but they are out there, especially if you look for people selling used carriers.

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!

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

Babywearing Art

I know I have already posted about the amazing paintings by Katie M Berggren, but I couldn't help myself from posting some of her beautiful paintings centered around babywearing!  Hope you enjoy them!

Wrap by Katie M Berggren

Deep As A River by Katie M Berggren

Elemental by Katie M Berggren

Mid-Summer Day by Katie M Berggren

Perhaps by Katie M Berggren

Pieces of Me by Katie M Berggren

Wrap 2 by Katie M Berggren

Too see more of Katie's beautiful work or purchase one of her amazing prints, visit her website.  We are also doing a special giveaway and promotion.  Find out more on our blog.

Special Giveaway

We have our winners!  Thank you so much to everyone that participated.  The winners have been contacted and notified.  And a special thanks to Katie Berggren for participating in our giveaway!  Keep checking back for more giveaways or join our mailing list to make sure you don't miss any.

We are excited to announce a very special giveaway.  Artist Katie M Berggren has agreed to give away some of her beautiful prints to two lucky winners!  She has also let us use this stunning painting to make some amazing babywearing magnets that we will also be giving away!  I love this painting of a mother carrying her child in a ring sling!

We will select 5 winners.  Two people will win a 8x10 print from Katie M Berggren and 3 winners will receive one of our special magnets!

Here's how to enter:

• Visit Katie's website and select "Shop Online" to see the amazing prints she has available.  Come back here and leave us a comment with your favorite one.  Do the same on our Facebook page to receive another entry.
• To get additional entries, spread the word!  For each person you send, you will get one entry.  Make sure they post who sent them so that you get credit!  They may also enter if they'd like by doing the above steps. 

Don't forget to leave your e-mail so we can contact you!

The giveaway will run through the 17th and the winners will be announced the morning of Tuesday, Jan 18th!

These magnets are not available for purchase, but this won't be your only chance to receive one of these pieces of art!  For a limited time, we will be giving away a free magnet with the purchase of every baby carrier from Zerberts!  Supplies are limited and this promotion will end when they are gone.  At 2 1/2 by 3 1/2 inches, these magnets really are a wonderful little piece of art for your fridge!

Painting Motherhood

I was first introduced to this artwork by Katie M. Berggren when I received some prints as a gift. Her work was so beautiful that I knew I had to share it with you all!

©2010.art by www.KmBerggren.com

Mostly a self taught painter and mother of two, Katie was drawn to painting emotion and the mother/child connection. She uses common daily moments as her inspiration to create beautiful paintings that capture the love and affection between parents and their children. Her paintings are easy to identify with in a very real and powerful way.

As a mother and a painter, I am compelled to create honest, emotional pieces that stylize the intimate moments of life. I delight in capturing the visible affection between mother and child in a dance of paint on canvas. My compositions play with how two or more figures can fold together within an atmosphere of movement, energy and sparkle.

There is a daily conflict for a mother of young children. For me it is a challenge that reawakens every morning as I balance my desire to be a patient, graceful mother and at the same time fulfill an instinctive urge to bring forth the creations of my soul and realize my dreams.

Capturing and releasing are two reasons I paint - to capture a fleeting moment, and to release an emotion. The process of painting allows me to connect with the world around me. But, perhaps most important, it is the way I model to my children the value of following their dreams and exploring their gifts.

I really enjoy the unique style and look of her paintings. I find she has captured some precious moments that I can relate to my own experiences with my children. I feel she has beautifully captured the emotion of motherhood in her artwork!

To find out more about Katie M. Berggren and her work, visit her website. Many prints and paintings are also available for purchase on-line.

All images have been used with the artist's permission.

©2010.art by www.KmBerggren.com

Amazonas Customer Review

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

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

 Thanks Meredith for the great review and pics!

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

Meet Rowan

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

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

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

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

Pricing Increases

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

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

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

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

See this article for more information on the cotton shortage.