Sleepy Wrap Classics are discounted to $31.50 and Organics are discounted to $41.00.

Sleepy Wraps are soft, stretchy, and never too bulky.  They will keep your little one safe and close throughout their first year of life and one size fits (a very generous) most.   Sleepys make nursing-on-the-go easy and discreet, thanks to the 2-way stretch of the fabric.   I recommend them for getting in lots of quality skin-to-skin time with your new babe.  They are also a fantastic and safe choice for premees and kangaroo care with special needs infants.

SOLD OUT!!!!
Boba 2G Classics are discounted to $70.00 and Organics are discounted to $90.00!

The Boba 2G Baby/Toddler carrier is for babies 15-45 lbs. It is well-known among babywearers for it’s unique ‘weightless’ feel and taller (16″) back pannel which extends the life of the product, and makes it a great option for bigger/older babies.  It can be worn for both front and back carries.  Additionally, it keeps baby in a more upright position- preventing the “leaning away from you” feeling that is common with other brands of  soft-structured carriers, and making nursing more discreet.  Removable foot straps give your toddler a comfortable way to keep their feet from dangling (or kicking you!).  Again, one size fits most with a waist-strap that extends to 56″.

Contact me today for in-stock colors!

Boba Backpack Toddler Carrier

It’s time for back to school!   My family is fortunate to live close enough to the local elementary school that walking is an option.  We’re also fortunate enough to live in a community where walking is safe and easy, so I’m trying to make a commitment to do it as often as possible; the physical activity and fresh air will be good for everyone.

To make the  most of my time, I decided to conduct a little experiment.  Which method would burn the most calories? – walking while pushing my 23-lb. toddler in a stroller, walking with my 23-lb. toddler in his Boba Backpack Carrier (pictured), or biking with both kids – a combined 70- lbs of kid weight – hauled behind me in the bike trailer?   I strapped on my trusty Polar Heart Rate Monitor and watch and collected some data.  Here are the results:

• Biking with kids in the bike trailer:   This option burned 24 calories for the 5-block one-way trip, which took us 4.5 minutes.
• Walking with toddler in the Boba Backpack Carrier: This option burned 56 calories for the 5-block one-way trip and took us 10.5 minutes.
• Walking with toddler in the Stroller:  This option burned 49 calories for the 5-block one-way trip and took us 11 minutes.

At first glance, the difference between the stroller and backpack doesn’t seem like that much — 7 calories?  It is worth it?  I certainly didn’t feel as though I was exerting myself more when using the Boba vs. pushing a stroller, although I obviously was.  But, in aggregate, those 7 little calories can make a big difference!

I make the one-way trip 4 times (there,back, there,back) on a daily basis, and we have school 5 times/week.  Which means that using the stroller, I’d burn 980 calories/week on these short, little daily walks.  But, using the Boba, I’d burn 1120 calories/week.

This means that the difference between walking with a stroller and walking with my toddler in the Boba is 140 calories per week.  That is an extra 560 calories per month!!

Wow.  That’s a lot for a difference of just 7 little calories, eh?

PS — to all scientists out there – armchair and otherwise- who might negate my results on the grounds that my sample size is so small (n=1), you are right.   This is shotty science.  Don’t take my degree away.  It’s all the data collection we could squeak in before naptime.

Being able to nurse a baby discretely on-the-go is really a huge advantage of sling-styled carriers and the main reason I recommended them over front-pack carriers.  They give a nursing mom the flexibility to turn the whole world into a ‘nursing station’ and decide on her own terms when she’ll nurse in pubic and when she’ll make it a more private act.  I’ve discretely nursed my babies at restaurants while eating dinner, while pushing a cart & grocery shopping, in the middle of a large museum with tons of children around, or I’ve done it while standing in a bathroom (not in a stall!) at a family function where out of respect for my hosts, I decided to be more conservative about my nursing location decisions.  This flexibility, I believe, can  really help moms overcome some of the cultural Booby Traps™ that can hinder a nursing relationship.  That said, nursing in a carrier is what I would consider an advanced-level parenting skill because there’s some prerequisite knowledge necessary in order to even begin.

The first skill that moms and babies need to acquire and establish is breastfeeding, and for a new mom, this can take time.  So, my first tip is to wait until both you and baby are comfortable with nursing.  For a first-time mom, this might not be until baby is a few months old if baby was born full-term.   For a more experienced breastfeeder, the  learning curve might be a little shorter.   Regardless, wait until nursing is well-established — quick and easy latches, good weight gain, good supply.  Find a support group for help if you things aren’t feeling right.

The second tip is to wait until you are well-practiced with the carrier you use.  Babywearing, like so many things in parenting, is partly an art form.   Take your time and learn to use your carrier for carrying first.  If you need help, there are support groups for this, too.

Once breastfeeding is established and you are confident using your carrier, however, you can start practicing nursing in your carrier.   Are you ready?

First, understand that there is no wrong way to nurse in a carrier.  If mom and baby are both comfortable and baby’s body and head are well supported,  and baby can breathe  and can reach the milk, you are doing it correctly.  This means a lot of practice and experimenting is in order; it is part of the ‘dance’ that mothers and babies do when they learn how to ‘be’ with each other in a breastfeeding relationship.

So, this might mean that you are nursing with baby in a cradle-hold at a horizontal-ish angle in the sling– or — it might mean that baby is nursing in an upright, frog-legged, “seated” position at the level of mom’s breast.  (For the record, I tend to prefer the upright positions — they mimic the “Laid-Back” Nursing/Biological Nurturing positions well).

In a nutshell, the technique involves loosening your carrier a little bit, moving baby down to the level of your breast, and latching them on.  You can lower them either by laying them into a cradle-carry in a sling or hitching the carrier a little lower on your hips.  Below, I’ve inserted a few videos that do a good job showing nursing in a variety of sling-styled carriers, so go ahead and check them out.  Some other tips:

• A layered-wardrobe can help facilitate very discrete nursing either with or without a sling.  My favorite strategy is to wear a nursing tank under my everyday shirt.  That way, I can lift up my shirt and the tank keeps my tummy covered.  The bunched-up everyday shirt gives me some natural privacy from on top of my breast.
• Bigger-breasted gals can tend to have a harder time nursing in slings.  A cradle-position is among the most challenging of positions for them.  I suggest experimenting with the upright positions esp. in stretchy wraps, SSCs, or mei tais.  It may or may not happen for you ladies.
• Sometimes, regardless of your breast size, it helps to roll-up a washcloth or small burp cloth and tuck it under your breast to give yourself a little more support, esp when baby is little.  If you have an older baby, they can latch themselves and support things on their own inside the carrier.

Nursing in a stretchy wrap: 

Nursing in a SSC: 

Nursing in a ring-sling: 

With this post, I thought I’d write a little bit about ring slings.  In the process, I’m hoping to demystify them a little bit.

Ring slings are modern takes on one-shouldered shawl-style carriers that have been used by women around the world throughout much of human history.  These textiles were multi-functional providing the wearer with warmth, protection from the elements, and an extra set of hands for carrying heavy loads as well as babies.

Modern ring slings are basically a length of gathered fabric (sometimes double sided) threaded through a set of seamless aluminum rings.  They are worn over one shoulder, which gives the wearer a lot of freedom and mobility.  Additionally, they allow for a custom fit each time, and baby can be worn in front on the adult’s chest when tiny and gradually moved to a hip as they grow.  Most ring slings are rated for carrying children between 8 and 35 lbs.

Ring slings are not the kind of carriers, however, that you should expect to be able to pick up, put on, and use the first time.  There’s an art to ring sling use; they take some practice.  Most come with instructions, and there are hundreds of instructional videos available online via places like YouTube.  Additionally, there are Babywearing Educators (like me!) around if you need a little one-on-one coaching.

Is it worth it to invest the time necessary to learn how to use a ring sling?  I think so.  First, it won’t take as much time as you think – a week’s worth of daily practicing should be about all you need to get the muscle memory of moving the fabric through the rings correctly.  Second, hearkening back to their multi-functional origins, ring slings are incredibly versatile.  A week’s worth of practice can pay off with a 18 months-2 years of easier parenting.  They’re great for bonding with and calming colicky babies under 3 months old, and outstanding for discreet public nursing from about 3 months on.  They fit easily in a diaper bag and are great for quick errands — especially when your toddler is not ready to walk as far or as quickly as your errands might take you.  I keep mine in the car where it doubles as a blanket and a changing pad.

So, revive an ancient tradition  by learning to use a ring sling!

photo credits for this post: www.cherylmuhr.com

I’ll state right here, though, that my personal preference is the Sleepy Wrap (that’s why I became a distributor);  I didn’t find it was as bulky as the Moby Wrap, and the stretchiness of the fabric, because of the spandex blend,  made it more comfortable for me to wear.  To me, it’s like the difference between stretch jeans and regular jeans.  But, I’m going to try to provide objective information here to aid parents as they make their own selection:

General Information

The Moby Wrap and the Sleepy Wrap are both considered “stretchy wrap” style baby carriers.  They are both very long, tapered lengths of cotton fabric that are wrapped around the adult’s body in a fashion that creates criss-crosses  of fabric in both front and back .  Baby is then placed in the front crosses of the fabric and held securely against the adult’s’ chest.

Both carriers have no buckles, straps, or rings.  Stretchy wraps are great carriers for newborns, and are wonderful for anyone interested in ‘kangaroo care.’

Differences

There are two main differences between the Moby Wrap and the Sleepy Wrap: 1) the width of the wraps and 2) the stretchiness of the fabrics:

Difference #1: The Sleepy Wrap is not as wide as the Moby Wrap, but they are about the same length.I didn’t have a measuring tape with me, but I’d estimate that the Moby Wrap was around 12 inches wider than the Sleepy Wrap.

Difference #2: The Moby Wrap has single-directional stretch and the Sleepy Wrap stretches in both directions.

The Moby Wrap is made of 100% cotton and the stretch runs only along the width of the fabric.  The Sleepy Wrap is made of 95% cotton and 5% spandex so it stretches in both directions and stretches to accommodate the baby when they are in the carrier and  bounces back when baby is not.  The Moby Wrap does not have this feature; when wrapping it, a little room must be left to make room for baby, and the fabric hangs loose when the baby is not inside it.

Whatever carrier you choose, make sure you’re following all manufacturer safety recommendations and remember these basic guidelines:

• Wear baby in a tummy-to-tummy position; it is the safest carry and the one that provides the most benefit to newborns.
• Your baby should be worn high enough on your chest so that you can kiss the top of their head easily.
• Always verify that baby’s face is exposed and they have access to fresh air.
• Dress baby to be inside the carrier; your body heat will keep them warm, so light clothes are best.  If you are outside, protect little arms and legs from sun and cold.
• Keep baby’s head and neck well supported (esp. if they fall asleep) by tucking the back of their heads into the parts of the fabric that come over your arms.
• Happy Carrying!

These prices are only valid until February 21, so contact me today!

Boba - Mist

NAP Baby Carriers, the manufacturer of Boba Soft-Structured Carriers, is approving discounts on their best-selling colors (Mist, Glacier, and Earth), but only Feb 17-21, and only through independent distributors like Sling Savvy!

Interested in a pre-order? Contact me!

When I’m in my stay-at-home role, babywearing is a no-brainer; it’s quite simply a survival strategy.  I can prep a meal, do laundry, vacuum, and head to the park with my eldest with out having to bother with a stroller.  I can nurse privately and hands-free while shopping, or let the baby take a nap in the backpack while I type on the computer.

When I’m working outside the home, though,  babywearing becomes something different.

The first thing I do when I get home from work is kick off my shoes and head to the couch to read a book with my elder while nursing my youngest.   But, after that — I’ve got to get on with it.  Dinner needs to be made, and I’ve got to get ready for the next day of work — pump parts don’t sanitize themselves, you know!  So, with my littlest one snuggled up to me in my sling, I’m able to manage it (well, most nights anyways).

It’s not that I’m doing anything differently with my sling on an evening when I’ve worked outside the home than when I’ve spent it at home — I’m still just wearing my baby while trying to manage the realities of domestic life.  But, it’s that it means more to me to spend a good amount of time close to my baby when I’ve been away from him all day.

Babywearing, I think, sometimes gets a reputation for being something that only stay-at-home moms do.  But, I believe there’s an important place for babywearing in the relationships of all parents and their children — regardless of where or how they work.