WearYourBabe

New blog in Hebrew

2009-05-26T17:08:00.004+03:00

Hi there,

at long last I've decided that I need to put more resources in writing a Hebrew blog, you can find it here:

http://minsakesem.blogspot.com/

I'll try and post the most important news in this blog still, but hope that the main activity will go on in the Hebrew version :-)

UPDATE: I decided that I cannot keep up two seperate blogs, so this one will not be updated anymore. However, you can find all the archived posts in the Hebrew blog as well now:

http://minsakesem.blogspot.com/search/label/English

Thanks for reading me - take care!
Hadassa

M A R C H ~°~°~°~ S P E C I A L

2009-03-02T12:10:00.002+02:00

Hi there :-)

March is here and I've come up with an extra attractive offer:

All carriers in fresh spring colors, lots of stripes - very happy! Don't wait too long....

Hadassa

Bondolino with 2 new colors!

2009-02-20T12:47:00.000+02:00

Just wanted to quickly let you know, that the Bondolino is now available in 2 additional colors:

khaki and navy blue

Bondolinos are running out quickly, so don't hesitate to order now :-)

Hadassa

NEW: Storchenwiege "Louise" - organic cotton weave!

2009-02-06T14:19:00.000+02:00

Hi there,

at long last, Storchenwiege came up with 3 new fresh designs:

~Louise~ sky blue

~Louise~ spring green

~Louise~ apricot

All woven from organic cotton in renowned beloved Storchenwiege quality. Selling at NIS 500,- for the 4.60m wrap.

As a special treat, I'll be selling the first 3 Louise wraps at 10% discount* so don't hesitate to order your favourite now!

Take care,
Hadassa

*offer ends at March, 15th.

I'll be home for christmas :-)

2008-12-18T10:44:00.000+02:00

Hi there,

just wanted to let you know, that we will be gone on our annual family vacation from

Dec, 20th - Jan, 10th

If you need me during that time, you can reach me conveniantly via email or send me an sms with your phone number and I'll be happy to call you back. In urgent cases, you can reach me on my cell.

Wish me snow and see you next year! ;-)

Take care,

Hadassa

2nd Hand Corner

2008-12-09T23:14:00.000+02:00

Have you discovered the 2nd hand and specials corner in my shop?

It's always worth a stroll around there as I'm offering quality carriers for tempting low prices.

Some are from trade-in, others from rental or wrapping demos - just have a look!

Right now I've got

- Storch Albert
- Over the Shoulder
- Tinokis
- Minsari

all in excellent shape!

Bondolino by Hoppediz - It's here!!

2008-11-10T11:34:00.000+02:00

Big news!

I've decided to import another great carrier to Israel - the Bondolino by Hoppediz.

is a company that has been manufactering high quality baby wraps for almost 10 years. 2007 the Bondolino was born, the first baby carrier made from woven cloth used for baby wraps. It is also one of the few ergonomic soft structure carriers, that can be used from birth up to toddlerhood.

This unique carrier comes with a number of great features:

(click to enlarge)

Special introductiory price: NIS 460,-

New arrival! Talia's stunning new patterns!

2008-11-07T17:47:00.000+02:00

Hi,

Just brought some lovely new Talia carriers home!

The new patterns are fresh and colourful, yet very classy.

Have a look at my favourites - S T R I P E S --------->

Place your order now! Or better yet - come over to try some on!
Hadassa

The Cradle Hold

2008-10-23T12:02:00.000+02:00

or: Why I recommend upright positions

Hi,

a lot of the parents with newborns that come to me for a personal appointment, are looking for a carrier that will allow them to use the cradle / or cross-cradle position. They are convinced, that only the cradle hold is safe for newborns and don't like the thought of their newborn "sitting" in the carrier.

Let's put the facts straight:

1. What is the cradle hold?

The cradle hold is a babywearing position, in which the baby is worn in a lying or semi-upright position in front of the parent's chest. The carrier is used like a hammock.

2. Problems of the cradle hold

-The cradle hold only works for very small babies in the early weeks. Older babies are too big and often too curious to allow you to cradle them.
-The cradle hold does not allow for the recommended squat-straddle position (what's this?). Therefore it should not be used until your baby's hip ultrasound to make sure the hips are maturing properly.
-I often see babies dangling in cradles that are tightened way too loose! In my experience it is more difficult to support a baby properly in a cradle position.
-As the baby is not worn tightly to the wearer's body but rather hanging from his or her neck, the weight distribution on the wearer's back and shoulders is not ideal which can lead to backaches.

3. So, when is the cradle hold suitable?

The cradle hold is a great position for nursing in your baby carrier. Nobody will ever notice that your baby's having a meal in there!

4. Which holds are best for newborns?

I clearly recommend upright tummy-to-tummy positions, e.g. the kangaroo or the wrap cross carry. If they are wrapped correctly and tightened properly, the baby is not sitting in the carrier, but squatting in front of the wearer's chest with the wrap supporting him like a bandage all around. Upright positions allow for the orthopedic ideal squat-straddle position which promotes the development of baby's hip joints and last not least - the baby can look around and enjoys free airflow. For the wearer the main advantage is the even weight distribution on the back.

Have a look at my instruction videos!

Take care!
Hadassa

Chag Sameach - Happy New Year!

2008-09-25T11:39:00.000+03:00

the rain arrived and so has THE babywearing accessory for the cooler season...

have a look at this cozy, warm fleece cover suitable for every carrier to keep your precious warm during the chilly days..

the cover's made in israel by "talya" and comes in 3 colors (off-white, navy blue and dark grey) and 3 sizes (S, M & L).

it can be pulled easily over the baby carrier, wrapping both you and baby in warmth, or use it in the later months of pregnancy, to keep your growing belly warm...

special introductory price: NIS 89

more information and orders: click here

happy new year!

Upcoming events!

2008-09-11T17:17:00.000+03:00

hi there,

i wonder whether you know, but apart from personal appointments you can also meet me informally at happenings, fairs and other events. Check here or at my website for upcoming events.

here are my upcoming events:

23/9 - happening pregnancy, birth and parenting
merkaz rav thumi (opposite holmes place), modiin
starts at 4:30 pm

26/10 - workshop babywearing - why and how?
patchouli center, ashdod
10 - 12 am
! register in advance, workshop's limited to 5 babies !

for questions, registrations or personal appointments (any time, any place ;-) ), please be in touch -->

hope to see you there!
hadassa

NEW Storchenwiege ringslings and Amazonas products

2008-08-24T13:59:00.000+03:00

hi there,

since summer's still hot and you might not feel like using a warm baby wrap or carrier, i decided to do some stocking-up on Storchenwiege RingSlings (what's a ringsling?). they arrived last week, have a look and choose your favourite: click here.

i also recently added a small stock of Amazonas' baby wraps to my shop: click here. Amazonas' wraps are made of light, airy material which make them comfortable for the summer.

Ring Sling instruction video

2008-07-29T22:54:00.000+03:00

i've been productive again and created an instruction video for ring slings. it contains:

-threading your sling
-hip carry
-front (tummy-to-tummy) carry
-back carry

hope it'll help you using your sling!

never heard of a ring sling before? check out my previous post regarding this practible carrier:
Ring Slings - flexible and fashionable

NEW in Israel - bumGenius cloth diapers

2008-07-21T13:00:00.000+03:00

hi there,

i'm very excited...

recently i found out, that bumGenius cloth diapers arrived to israel and are now on a special introductionary offer for a limited time!

cloth diapering saves money. it's a fact. especially if you are using them on 2 or more children. just a small example - for one child you'll spend around NIS 5500,- on disposable nappies during the whole diaper time. a bumGenius one-size package will cost less than half.

plus you know that you are actively helping to save our environment by significantly reducing the amount of non-degradable waste you're producing.

unlike in "granny's times" where cloth diapering involved folding, pins and boiling nappies on the stove, bumGenius are designed to make cloth diapering easy for everybody - babysitters, grandparents and even dads!

handling your bumGenius is as easy as disposable nappies, you just don't throw them away - simply stick them in your washing machine and there ready to go again.

bumGenius diapers are available in a variety of styles and colors, everybody will find one they love :-)

for more information and to purchase bumGenius go to http://www.beetle.co.il/bumGenius.aspx

Podaegi - the Korean way of babywearing

2008-07-10T16:47:00.001+03:00

today i'd like to introduce you to a carrier, that's still unknown to many.

the podaegi, by insiders often referred to as "pod", is a traditional korean baby carrier. it's made of a large rectangle of material and long straps to tie the baby on to the parent's body.

unlike a mei tai, the pod doesn't need a hip belt but uses the material to create a pouch for the baby to sit in.

i've found that the pod combines the support and flexibility of a woven wrap with the ease of use of a mei tai. with it's many ways of tying and a little practice it can be used from birth on, since the cloth adjusts easily to every size.

interested? have a look in my shop at my podaegi's ---> you're more than welcome to come and try one any time :-)

see you around, hadassa

IMPORTANT NOTE!!

2008-06-30T13:11:00.000+03:00

my previous post had a mistake regarding the date... sorry:

the Ina May Gaskin conference was on june, 17th already!

however, you can always make a personal appointment through my website:

http://wearyourbabe.net

sorry again and see you soon,
Hadassa

Meet me at Ina May Gaskin's conference!

2008-06-15T08:35:00.001+03:00

hi there,

just wanted to let you know, that i'll be at the Ina May Gaskin - conference in jerusalem this coming tuesday, 17th of july.

location:

YMCA Jerusalem
26, King David Street

looks like it'll be a big happening with interesting lectures around natural childbirth. you have to sign-up for the lectures, but the fair will be open for everyone.

i'll be sharing a booth with another babywearing-advocate and her products.

looking forward!
hadassa

babywearing in the summer heat

2008-05-30T07:09:00.000+03:00

summer's upon us and i'm asked a lot how to wear in our israeli heat.

general rules and tips:

1) avoid spending time in the sun around noon (12-4pm)

2) if you have to leave the house, cover yourself and baby - i've found my long cloth wrap to be a great helper - baby's almost entirely covered, i cover only the legs and feet and put a broad rimmed hat on her (uv-protection hats are even better) if you're using another carrier, dress him in long, light cotton clothes for protection. or make yourself a babywearing-cover to pull and strap over the carrier with your baby.

3) if you're using a wrap that's covering most of baby's body, dress him lightly - a thin body or even just the diaper will do.

4) if you can find one, you could try an umbrella and take the shadow with you - make sure though, it doesn't let any sunlight through.

5) take enough water and actually drink it! if baby's still fully breastfed, take nursing breaks frequently and don't forget to drink enough water yourself to avoid headaches and (!) dehydration.

during our first babywearing summer last year, we enjoyed going out a lot and never caught a sunburn, even without using sun blockers :-)

enjoy!
hadassa

even babywearing mamas get stressed...

2008-05-27T19:36:00.000+03:00

shalom,

i must apologize that i haven't written for quite a while, but things have been a bit tight around here lately. my husband's at home with his leg in a cast and can't move, our little girl is having her first 3 teeth all at the same time and above all that, had a bad constipation. add to that a rental contract that has to be renewed, car insurance due next week and other fun-things, i must say, it's getting to me a bit...

babywearing helps a lot with all those little errands i have to run. yesterday to the pediatric i just put her in my Baby to Go and took the shortcut (via stairs) within our neighbourhood. no schlepping, no crying in the car, just a nice walk. after the examination she was in quite a state - back she went into the carrier and calmed down instantly.

the other day, i had a couple of errands in the area, so i parked the car centrally, put the darling in my Storchenwiege Ring Sling and did everything - again no schlepping, no narrow doorways and on top of it a calm and happy daughter.

did i ever mention, how much i'm devoted to babywearing? :-)

take care,
hadassa

NEW - Talya Mei Tai "de luxe"

2008-05-09T10:40:00.000+03:00

hi there,

i'm happy to announce, that i've got a new baby carrier in stock:

Talya

it's design is based on the traditional chinese carrier, but comes with additional features that make it more comfortable:

- padded shoulder straps and waist belt
- lower part of back padded for extra comfort
- pull-up-hood to support baby's head when asleep

yesterday, i've tried it with my friend's 3-year-old 30 pounder - it worked!

at the moment, there are 6 different designs available and each carrier comes with detailed instructions.

wanna try with your baby or toddler? call or email me to make an appointment :)

see you around,
hadassa

house calls

2008-04-25T21:21:00.000+03:00

did you know, that you can invite me to your own home for a personal appointment?

i'd be more than happy to visit you with a collection of different wraps, mei tais and slings, so you can touch, feel and try them in your own comfortable environment. i'll bring "shoshi" along, my faithful babywearing doll, which allows you to try and practise (if you want to) several carriers until you feel comfortable enough to do it with your baby.

a house call appointment is around 1,5 - 2 hours long and costs NIS 125,- . if you end up buying a carrier, you're credited a 50,- discount on the appointment.

apart from that, new mothers enjoy a special discount on house calls - ask me for my postpartum special!

obviously you can always come and see me in my place as well - a personal appointment costs only NIS 50,- , if you purchase a carrier, the appointment is FREE!

hope to see you soon,
hadassa

even more videos....

2008-04-17T14:52:00.000+03:00

here are 2 with my little girl - i had to wrap fast without talking, so she wouldn't loose patience :)

EDIT: i did a voiceover on the video to explain the critical steps - enjoy.

rucksack carry

front kangaroo carry

NEW! wrapping videos in hebrew

2008-04-11T21:58:00.000+03:00

i took on a new project:

decided today to publish videos of all wrapping methods i know. you think you've seen enough of those? so did i, but i bet you haven't seen a lot in hebrew, have you?

the whole mission turned out more complicated than i thought (my first 3 videos went to the bin since i did them in portrait instead of landscape mode...) but finally i managed to upload the first one (EDIT, 26/4/08: video improved and reloaded):

hope it is clear enough and love to hear feedback!

take care,

hadassa

i've got 'em!!!!

2008-04-06T16:34:00.001+03:00

finally - my long awaited storchenwiege baby wraps and ringslings are sitting in my living room:

my litte guinea pig already started her own quality control to check if everything's ok :-)

the customs-problem could be solved as well. i had an exciting morning with israeli authorities and bureaucracy and was already willing to give up, when the lady from customs phoned to let me know, that they'd made a mistake, yeah!

now all that's left to do, is to sell the precious goods - wanna make an appointment to try one and have a look at the beautiful patterns?

i'd be thrilled... take care,

hadassa

customs and prices

2008-04-01T17:50:00.000+03:00

yesterday, i finally got note that my storchenwiege-delivery arrived to israel. after more than a month of anxious waiting!

i was very excited to pick it up, but it looks like i have to pay customs that shouldn't have been charged in the first place! it's a bummer, we left the parcel for further clarification and i hope and pray that it'll turn out a mistake and i'll have to pay only what i budgeted.

bear with me, so i won't be forced to raise my retail-price...

thanks,
hadassa

why babywearing?

2008-03-31T10:32:00.000+03:00

no doubt, babywearing is fun, practical and hip, but what are the real reasons why everyone should be wearing their babies?

let's try and put ourselves in a newborn's shoes :-)

after 9 months of perfect security and closeness, every baby arrives to our cold, bright world. for the first time he is seperated from his mother, misses the tight limits of the womb, the warmth and the sounds of her body and heartbeat, her movements. swaddling him tight in blankets or - even better - wearing him in a baby wrap can help him to adjust better to this world by simulating a womb-like environment, where he can feel, hear and smell you.

a newborn baby is unable to make his needs known to you in an articulate way, his only instrument to call on you is crying. even more so - he has to see you to understand that you're there. if you're in another room when he wakes up, he will assume, that you're gone and feel abandoned, that's why many babies cry, when they are left alone in dark rooms to sleep. responding to your baby's cry is not a sign of spoiling him or even letting him manipulate you, it is responding to his innate need of human touch and closeness.

babywearing can help you respond to this need in a perfect and immediate way.

NEW arrival - baby to go mei tais

2008-03-25T20:02:00.000+02:00

just a week after dvarimim, i got another delivery of baby carriers for my shop:

http://wearyourbabe.net/shop_baby2go.html

Baby to Go makes beautiful light mei tais, with headrest or without, in funky, modern designs. as you prefer, you can either choose from my exclusive stock or order a tailormade one according to your pattern and style choice (double-sided, with application, uni,...).

the mei tai comes wrapped lovely, which makes it the perfect gift for new mums...

i already chose my favourite - what about you?

NEW dvarimim in my shop

2008-03-19T16:50:00.000+02:00

i'm happy to announce, that I am now selling the beautiful dvarimim products in my shop as well!

http://wearyourbabe.net/shop_dvarimim.html

the Mei Tai can be used from an early age on as a front carry. it has 4 straps for easy, straightforward tying.

the Canaanite Carrier is an israeli variation of the traditional mei tai. It's made of a long rectangle piece of cloth with only 2 straps, which makes the tying appear more like a long cloth wrap.

finally the stylish Ring Sling is an ideal choice if you need a quick, easy solution for short trips, e.g. to take your child out of the car to quickly pick up your older kids from gan, or if your baby just started to walk on his own and wants to be picked up and put down all the time.

if you're interested in any of those, feel free to make an appointment anytime to try the different types and decide what suits you best.

blessings,
hadassa

african back carry

2008-03-11T17:50:00.000+02:00

people keep asking me, how africans wear their babies.

until now my default answer was "they have a special way of doing it with a special piece of cloth" :-D

well, the piece of cloth is called kanga and today i finally found a great video to show how they tie it - i must find one of those kangas and try it myself:

btw, i heard, that africans use bedsheets or other random pieces of cloth whenever they don't have a kanga handy...

enjoy!

breastfeeding and babywearing

2008-03-05T07:51:00.000+02:00

after reading today's title, you might ask yourself - "now what's got babywearing to do with breastfeeding? i breastfed all my babies, never touched a carrier and that worked just fine..."

it's true, you don't have to babywear if you want to successfully breastfeed, but let me line up a few of its benefits to see if i can convince you to try babywearing anyway :-)

1. babywearing stimulates milk production

your body needs hormones to produce breastmilk. those hormones are usually released best if you are close to your baby - see her, feel her and smell her delicate self. while babywearing, you are physically as close to baby as you can get and therefore helping your body to get that milk production going.

my personal experience in the early weeks was this: within a few minutes after i put my daughter in a wrap i could feel my milk coming in; sometimes it even hurt, so strong was the hormonal release.

2. feed discretely and undistracted

have you tried nursing in a carrier? yes, i know, nursing is intimate and supposed to take place in a quiet environment, but sometimes there are those moments when baby gets hungry while we're waiting for a bus or standing in line at the bank, right? if you have your wrap handy, you can latch her on, without others even noticing you did.

on the other hand, nursing in a wrap can also help shut out stimulation and create a quiet "room" if your baby gets easily distracted by siblings, pets or any ongoing activity around you.

3. help your baby digest better

when wearing your baby, it is gently massaged by your movement and the pressure of your body. this helps her to digest better, burp easier and suffer from less colics.

suitable for toddlers up to 3 years? see for yourself...

2008-02-28T00:47:00.001+02:00

now, here's the ultimate proof, that woven wraps can really be used for heavier babies:

she admitted though, that she wouldn't take him on a day's hike like this, but the wrap itself is definitely up to it :-)

Don't! (Facing out position)

2008-02-26T08:50:00.000+02:00

You see this a lot: Babies sitting in baby carriers, sometimes also in a baby wrap, facing the front. The legs hanging down with the back almost straight or even in hollow back position. Sadly, many manufacturers of baby carriers advertise with a picture of a baby in this position. Naturally, parents only want the best for their babies and it might seem, that some babies even enjoy the facing-out position, but there are a few good reasons why you really shouldn't use it:

a physiologically correct posture is not possible. This can lead to backache and a bad posture in your baby
squat-straddle position (learn more) is impossible, this can hinder proper hip development
over stimulation: baby cannot nestle to the parent if necessary. He has no chance to withdraw from stimulation and eye contact with the wearing person is not possible. Over-stimulation can lead to crying in the evening (stress release)
weight is on baby’s pubic bone which can lead to deformation, in small boys it can bruise the testicles

If you have the feeling, that you're baby already wants to see "more world" (usually from about 4-5 months) the hip kangaroo or rucksack are healthy alternatives.

Have fun!

ring slings - flexible and fashionable

2008-02-20T16:58:00.000+02:00

yesterday i was shocked to realize that i forgot a very important carrier in my selection of recommended carriers - the ring sling.

if you are looking for a quick-and-easy solution to wear your baby, for example if you have to take her in and out of the carrier all the time, you might wanna consider a ring sling.

ring slings are basically pieces of cloth with 2 metal or plastic rings on one end. you wear them diagonally over one sholder and pull them tight using the rings.

it's important that you choose a ring sling that is made of unpadded woven cloth. otherwise you won't be able to tighten the material real snug to support your baby's back properly.

if you have a short wrap, you're not using anymore and a sewing machine, you can easily make a sling yourself. the internet's full of instructions...

btw.. storchenwiege started to make ringslings recently. browse my shop to choose your favourite pattern: shop

catching busses in tel aviv

2008-02-15T08:38:00.001+02:00

last week, i went to tel aviv with my 10-months old in the stroller for the first time. (now, don't ask me why i took the stroller, for i have no idea what i was thinking ...)

anyway, i got off the train in tel aviv and caught a bus and do you know what? if you're living in tel aviv you probably do, but i was shocked -

they charge you for taking a stroller !!!?!!?!

if you don't want to pay a child-fare for your baby, you have to take her out of the stroller, fold it and put it aside. imagine, what that must mean for a mother with a newborn!

lesson learned: if you have to catch busses in the big city, use a carrier :-)

how to choose, part 2 - different types of carriers

2008-02-14T12:14:00.000+02:00

now that we've talked about the main rules when choosing the carrier for your baby, i'll try and introduce you to a selection of carrier types i've found recommendable:

woven long cloth wraps

if you ask me: there's nothing like a good quality long cloth wrap! you can use it from birth to 3 years and beyond (as long as you and the baby are comfortable), it fits every size and can be adjusted most accurately to support baby in the best way.

important:

tying needs practise - don't give up, if your first try doesn't work out! it's no rocket-science, you'll for sure learn how to do it. if you need help, call a babywearing instructor to help you!
the material has to be diagonally elastic to allow for a firm support of your baby and prolonged wear without retightening
choose a wrap with double hemlines to ensure lasting strong edges

nice to have:

hems in different colours to make wrapping easier
diagonal ends to allow for easier knot-tying
different coloured stripes

mei tais

mei tais are traditional asian baby carriers. they are made of a square or rectangle piece of cloth with straps attached to it. they are very flexible and allow for tying almost as tight as wraps. both front and back carry possible.

important:

you should try the mei tai with your baby to check if the base is the right size to allow for the correct SSP (what's that?)
when tying, make sure you pull tight to make sure the mei tai supports baby's back properly
if your baby is not holding her head, make sure the mei tai has a neck and headrest

comfort carriers

comfort carriers as i call them are based on the mei tai-principle, with a rectangle back and straps. in addition to most mei tais, comfort carriers have a hip strap to distribute baby's weight better and take it off your shoulders.

important:

make sure the base is the right size for your baby to to allow for the correct SSP (what's that?)
don't use comfort carriers before your baby can support herself and, ideally, can sit independently (not earlier than 5 months in any case)

elastic wraps

elastic wraps are long cloth wraps that are made from jersey material. once put on, you can easily put the baby in and take her out, without re-tying the wrap every time. since the jersey material is elastic, it is not suitable to support heavier babies and should therefore only used up to around 6 kg.

important:

pull tight! with elastic wraps this is essential, since they are, yes - elastic :-) if you don't wrap it tightly enough, it won't support baby's back properly
check for the correct SSP (what's that?)

EDIT: i totally forgot the ring sling! have a look here: ring sling - flexible and fashionable

i'm live!

2008-02-13T19:09:00.000+02:00

i'm proud to announce, that i launched my new website today!

have a look at:

http://www.wearyourbabe.net/

my wee little shop will be online soon...

why squat-straddle position?

2008-02-12T14:57:00.000+02:00

in my previous posts, you've heard me talk quite a bit about the so-called squat-straddle position ("frog leg").

today i'd like to get a bit scientific and explain, why this strange squat-straddle positon (SSP) is really that important:

baby hips

when human babies are born, the hip joints are still cartilaginous and mature best in the SSP, with the legs pulled up 100 degrees and spread out 40 degrees at the same time (prof. dr. j. büschelsberger, phd, 1961). therefore, if you carry your baby in a correct SSP you can actively encourage the maturation of his hip. on the other hand, carriers that do not allow for the SSP, might slow down or even hinder this important process.

baby's back

at birth, your baby's back is still curved (this is called total kyphosis), which determines the SSP: if you pick her up, she will automatically pull her legs up and round her back to nestle on your hip. it takes about a year for the spine to stretch and reach its upright s-shaped form. the stretching takes place in 3 stages and is only completed when the baby takes its first independent steps (prof. dr. j. büschelsberger, phd, 1961).
as mentioned before, a good carrier should support baby like a bandage and allow her to round her back, especially when she's sleeping, instead of letting her slouch or force her into a hollow back position.

to sum it up - the SSP is the most natural and ergonomically correct position to carry your baby.

pull tight!

2008-02-11T21:12:00.000+02:00

just came back from a baby wearing instruction - such a sweet baby :-) he's only 5 days old and his mummy already wants to wear him. lucky guy...

well, i'm confident, that the community has found another happy babywearer - she was so excited when i showed her how to use a wrap and the baby fell asleep immediately!

one tip i'd like to share with you as well:

TIP:

pull real tight when wrapping, so the material will support your baby like a bandage around his back. most wearers are worried that it will get too tight, but that's usually when it's just right. so don't be afraid to pull tight!

how to choose the right carrier, part 1 (appendix)

2008-02-10T13:52:00.000+02:00

here are 2 images to illustrate the correct position:

mummy's standing upright

baby's in squat-straddle position ("frog legs")

slightly rounded back

whereas with this carrier you can clearly see, that it does not fulfill any of the 3 golden rules:

no squat-straddle position (legs are hanging down)

no rounded back (straight, even hollow back)

no weight distribution

how to choose the right carrier, part 1

2008-02-10T09:55:00.000+02:00

choosing the right carrier is not as easy as it seems - the variety seems overwhelming, especially if you get the chance to browse shops abroad ;-)

however, not every carrier on the market is recommended for your baby and some are only suitable from or up to a certain age, but how can you know?

let me try and list the main criterias of a good carrier:

1) baby's natural and most comfortable position is the squat-straddle or frog leg position. a good baby carrier will support this position, with the legs pulled up to approx. 100 degrees (up to its navel) and spread out approx. 40 degrees at the same time.

stay away from carriers in which your baby's legs are hanging down straight!

2) baby's rounded back will take the entire first year to reach its upright s-shaped form. therefore, a good baby carrier will support the slightly rounded back.

stay away from carriers, that force your baby into a straight or even hollow back position!

3) a good carrier ensures comfortable weight distribution, for both you and your baby. you should be able to stand straight and carry also for longer time stretches without getting backaches.

if you follow these 3 basic rules, you'll find it much easier to choose a good carrier for your baby.

my personal recommendations are:

woven wraps (newborn to 3 years+)
mei teis (~4 months+)
comfort-carriers, e.g. ergo, yamo, beco (~6 months+)
elastic wraps (newborn to ~6kg)

to be continued...

why babywearing?

2008-02-09T10:32:00.000+02:00

with all the fancy strollers, prams and joggers out there, you might ask yourself, why you should bother with such an ancient approach as babywearing at all -

here are some of its most convincing advantages:

be close to your baby anytime
hands free for other things - siblings, dishes, vacuuming, etc.
no problem getting on busses, stairs, narrow doors
calm your high-need or fussy baby: worn babies cry less
great bonding opportunity for fathers

naturally, there are a million other reasons why i and countless babywearers around the world are addicted already, just give it a shot - it works!

welcome....

2008-02-08T17:38:00.000+02:00

hi there,

you arrived to the official blog of WearYourBabe, the babywearing resource in modiin, israel.

here you will find useful tips, background information and the latest news on the art of babywearing.

please keep visiting...

hadassa