Spud's babyhawk

The travelling Babyhawk has arrived, thanks so much Spud for lending it to us. We love it!

Napsack Baby Mei-Tai

Shani has generously donated a Napsack Baby Mei-Tai to our Babywearing group and it arrived in the post this morning. Thanks so much Shani!
Ava, and I gave it a try this morning. Ava, as usual, promptly fell asleep in it. I'll do a proper review when we've tested it some more. Here's a photo to wet your appetite in the meantime.
http://slingjax.com/catalog.php?category=14

Regular Meeting

I'm trying to arrange a regular meeting for local parents passionate about babywearing. Would you like to learn more about the slings on the market? Would you like to try slings before you buy? If so register your interest by e-mailing me and I can keep you updated with developments.

Review of Didymos wrap

This is a review of the Didymos wrap carrier. They are also known as a GSW, German style wrap. They stock several weaves and fabrics, you can see a sample of these at the website http://www.didymos.com/. I have a Didymos stripes in the 'Lena' colourway. I purchased my wrap on ebay at a price of £42, although they usually retail from about £70. You can also purchase them at http://www.slingjax.com/ in the UK.

The Didymos carrier is a basically a length of material and can be used from birth. It can be used right up to toddler hood and beyond. It comes with an instruction booklet, and some of the newer stock also comes with an instructional DVD.
Plus points
*Wraps are very versatile, they can be used for front, back and hip carries with newborns and older children.
*They distribute the weight evenly if wrapped correctly.
*They come in very pretty colours.
*They are multi-purpose. I have used our wrap as a blanket, sunshade, hammock etc.
*They are the closest sling, in my opinion, to carrying your baby in your arms. This makes them snuggly and feel like you are cuddling your baby.
*They feel very safe and Ava likes them.
Negative points
*All the choices in fabric, colours can be overwhelming.
*Learning curve in learning how to wrap especially back carries.
*Lots of fabric, which can make using them out and about quite difficult.

Overall, we love the Didymos wrap, and it has been especially handy these last couple of weeks. Ava, has been teething, and at times even the breast has not comforted her. The only way I've been able to soothe hair, is to put her in the wrap on my front and walk. It has got her to sleep in literally minutes, as the photographic evidence proves!

For any advice or help with choosing a Didymos wrap just e-mail me.

Join our Babywearing Facebook group

'What's Facebook?' I hear you cry. It is the latest Social Networking tool and I have put together a group for Babywearing in Portsmouth and Southsea. Here you can see any upcoming events, discuss slings, sling problems, add your reviews of slings and add your photos to the sling gallery. If you'd like to join please register at http://www.facebook.com/ and then click on the link in the Useful links section.

Team Slingjax

I am a proud member of the Slingjax team and work as a Sling Agent. If you wish to discuss any slings, would like to know the best sling for your needs, or need any help with using your sling please e-mail me at Emma@slingjax.co.uk

Welcome to my blog

My name is Emma Glass, and I am mum to Ava, nearly 11 months. I am trying to promote babywearing in the Portsmouth and Southsea area. Here are some benefits to babywearing;

Distributing the weight and freeing your hands
A baby carrier distributes the weight across your body, making it a lot easier to carry your baby. Most carriers are useable from birth till 35lbs (16kg). They also free your hands so you can attend to other children, do some household errands. You can also breastfeed in some slings.

Slings promote bonding
Wearing babies foster trust and attachment. A baby whose needs are met quickly will feel more secure in the long term. Relatives, siblings and partners can all carry baby in a sling, thus establishing a bond and giving Mum a break.

Carried babies cry less often
Research proves that carried babies cry less often. Carrying babies in an upright position can also help soothe reflux, colic and fussiness.

Carried babies tend to be alert
Babies love to be up high, where they can see what you are doing and interact with you and other adults.

Babywearing has been one of the highlights for me as a mother to a young baby. It has meant that Ava has been very portable and she has been able to come along to many adult gatherings that I thought I would have to miss out on with a young baby. Ava as a young baby would often have an aversion to travelling in the pushchair, she just wanted to be close to me and carrying her would stop her fussing and crying. Using a sling allowed me to carry her and have my hands free, a necessity when I needed to make lunch, get some washing done etc.

I want to be able to share my positive experiences with other mothers and enable them to find the perfect sling for their lifestyle and baby.