December 29, 2011

PAXbaby.com

I’d like to thank every babywearing daddy who realizes that 2 hands free are always better than balancing baby in 1 arm and having the other somewhat available!  Every babywearing daddy who realizes that the EASIEST way to make their baby mommy happy is to be able to help around the house with those 2 free hands!  Every babywearng daddy who realizes that the act of bonding tummy to tummy, ear to heartbeat, while on the go is unique to babywearing!  Every babywearing daddy who realizes that the FASTEST way to make their baby mommy go gaga is by wearing their baby!  Thank you, baby daddies, for realizing that babywearing is the epitome of manliness, so much so that in babywearing groups, pictures of men babywearing is actually referred to as “mommy porn!”  It is hilarious, and over the top, but exactly what us under-slept, over-worked moms love to see, so thank you for the gratifying us and bring on more daddy babywearing pictures!
PAXbaby.com

And thanks to Joanne’s husband for inspiring this blog post with his adorable picture of daddy bonding!!!

“I enjoy carrying my son easily and closely. It gives me a chance to create my own special bond as a father.”

PAXbaby.com

PAXbaby.com

*happy babwearing*

PAXbaby.com

December 20, 2011

PAXbaby.com

Most babywearers are introduced to babywearing with the uninspired big box “crotch dangler” style of baby carriers –  the Infantino, the Bjorn, the Chicco – and most babyworn babies are indoctrinated to their babywearing career by being subject to the unsupported and uncomfortable method of FFO (Front Facing Out!)  With these mass produced baby carriers being so common, most civilians don’t bat an eye at a newborn drooping pitifully from its new mother’s baby harness with its wee arms extended over the front flap and its legs in an unnatural & flaccid sag.  Most admire baby’s hair, or lack of hair, or sweet outfit, or cute hat, but what we babywearers know with every babywearing bone in our body is that these carriers are not good for our babies!  They don’t support – they suspend!  They don’t cradle – they dangle!  They don’t hold – they hang!  As a friend of mine says, Friends don’t let friends FFO!

PAXbaby.com

PAXbaby.com

Front Facing Out is not a popular way to wear your baby in the stricter world of babywearing, however I’d like to point out that there is always the exception to the rule!  I have a handful of exceptions in which case a baby carrier with FFO capability is invaluable!  I was thrilled when Beco introduced to the babywearing population the Beco Gemini which features the ability to forward face because not only will that option lure in the unsuspecting parent who would usually buy a Bjorn but the Beco is “so much cuter,” but the Gemini also allows me to use an organic, Made in the USA, ergonomic carrier in a FFO position without needing to own a “crotch dangler”!!!  These circumstances happen very rarely, but when they do, I’m grateful for my Gemini!

PAXbaby.com

FFO circumstance #1 - Sitting to view a sibling’s class or play.  You need to be able to sit back so you can’t have baby on your back!  Baby wants to see the happenings as well!  FFO your baby so that they can interact with the world but be very observant of their signals to you of discomfort or overstimulation and limit their FFO time to about 10 minutes at a time!

PAXbaby.com

FFO circumstance #2 - Wearing an older baby while they are eating.  I can clearly remember the first time I wore my Gemini to Disneyland!  When Baby #5 got hungry and PAXdaddy handed him a messy granola bar, I simply turned him around and all the crumbs went cascading onto the ground outside Pirates of the Caribbean instead of down my cleavage!  What a relief and easy clean up that made!  These days we can use a custom Flat Hat to act like a bib to protect the Gemini itself as well!  Urge baby to finish up quickly because wearing an older baby with his spine against you is NOT going to feel good after a while and certainly is not ergonomic for babywearing participant!

PAXbaby.com

FFO circumstance #3 - Wearing a baby who wants to be included in a craft!!!  Crafting with children is always a challenge, but add into that messy mix a baby who wants to be involved, and you have a recipe for disaster!  Luckily, by inviting baby to help while being worn lessens the catastrophic demise that usually occurs when baby “helps!”  Strap baby onto your front and put in his arms reach harmless tools that will help him create his masterpiece without damaging your crafting area permanently!  In our case this past week, the kids & I were making a Christmas surprise for the PAXdaddy!  Every year, we make him something with their hand prints, and this year, a friend inspired me to help the kids create Homemade Salt Dough Ornaments featuring their very own paw prints!!!  Of course we couldn’t leave out Baby #6, so into the Beco Gemini he went, and we imprinted his very own ornament with his tiny hand print!

PAXbaby.com

THANKS for reading, and keeping an open mind when you first read the blog post title!!!  Remember, the main purpose of babywearing is to bond with your baby and remain available to them as they grow so if you need to fudge the rules once in a while, I understand!  I’ve been there & done that, and have made the decision to FFO with a happy baby then try to back carry with a screaming one!  Let baby participate, and you will be a better babywearing team for it!

PAXbaby

Homemade Salt-Dough Ornaments

PAXbaby.com

Ingredients & tools needed:

• 4 Cups Flour
• 1 Cup Salt
• 1 1/2 Cups of water
• Rolling Pin
• Parchement Paper
• Cookie Cutters
• Toothpick
• Ribbon
• Acrylic paints

PAXbaby.com
Instructions:

1) Pre-heat oven to 300 degrees F.

2) Prepare your cookie sheets by lining with Parchment Paper.

3) Mix Flour, Salt and Water together. The dough will be sticky at first.   If it’s crumbly, add a little bit more water. If it’s too sticky, add a bit more flour.

4) Knead the dough by hand or use your mixer for  25 minutes. This will eliminate “most” of the air bubbles.

5) Roll the the dough out to about 1/4 of an inch thick.

6) Use cookie cutters to make desired shape, or trace a bowl like we did!  Place cut-outs on the cookie sheet. Don’t forget to make a hole for hanging!  We used the end of a glass straw to make uniform holes in each ornament.

7)  Press baby’s hand firmly into the dough, or use their fingertips to mark the small ornaments.

8 )  IMPORTANT: Salt-dough has a tendency to “bubble”, which will cause the ornament to crack. To help prevent bubbling, take a toothpick and lightly poke tiny random holes all over the ornament or in a creative pattern. This will help release the air.  The holes may be noticeable so make ‘em pretty. Once the ornaments come out of the oven you can poke holes on the bottom as well to release some of the trapped air as well. This may help prevent them from cracking in the future.

9) Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until they are a very light golden brown on the bottom. Keep a close eye on them, because they can burn quickly!

10) Take the ornaments out from the oven and let them cool.

11) Paint them!!!

12) Give them to your loved ones & hang on your tree!

PAXbaby.com

Hope you have a wonderful time crafting with your little ones, and feel free to use this recipe!  It was given to me by Andrea!!!

PAXbaby.com

*happy babywearing*

PAXbaby.com

December 18, 2011

PAXbaby.com

All of us at PAXbaby would like to wish you & your families a VERY Merry Christmas!!!! The Advent season is always a time for gratitude and sentimentality so I am joining the crowd, as I say THANK YOU for being so much a part of our lives, and thank you for sharing yours with us!!!!  Much love, *happy babywearing,* and MERRY CHRISTMAS from PAXbaby!!!!!

PAXbaby.com

PAXbaby.com

PAXbaby

December 17, 2011

PAXbaby.com

Thank you to TBW for this comprehensive list of Woven Wrap carries & techniques!  Please read about wearing Woven Wraps here at PAXbaby’s Woven Wrap Guide and study up on your wrapping techniques here at PAXbaby’s Woven Wrap Carry List!  If you want to learn more about wraps, let us know!  We have a team of babywearing experts available to help you!

As you experiment please take utmost precaution with your baby!  Practice over a bed, have a spotter, and please do not attempt to back carry with a baby who cannot sit unassisted!  Read more about babywearing safety here! PAXbaby cannot recommend the cradle carry position as it is not a natural position for the legs/hips/spine and also because of the significantly increased risk of positional asphyxia. The positions below will help you keep your baby upright & wrapped in natural positions! When the time comes to wrap in the great outdoors, take your time, don’t be nervous, and ignore the crowd that will gather to watch you do this amazing feat – take it as a compliment to your skills; go ahead and take a bow at the end!

PAXby.com

PAXbaby.com

Common Abbreviation Wrap length (Sm. / Med. / Lg. adults) Photo Instructions Video Instructions Two-shoulder carries Front Wrap Cross Carry, Folded (NB) 4.2m / 4.7m / 5.2m Peppermint Ellaroo Wrap Your Baby Kantoliinakanava Burp Carry (NB) 4.2m / 4.7m / 5.2m TBW Common Abbreviation Wrap length Photo Instructions Video Instructions Two-shoulder carries Front Wrap Cross Carry FWCC 4.2m / 4.7m / 5.2m Peppermint Wrap Your Baby Kantoliinakanava Peau-à-peau Trageschule Nosenideti youtube wrapababy Pocket Wrap Cross Carry (most common tie for stretchy wraps) PWCC 4.2m / 4.7m / 5.2m Peppermint Wrap Your Baby Kantoliinakanava Hug-a-bub .wmv youtube Front Cross Carry FCC 4m / 4.2m / 4.7m TBW Peppermint Ellaroo Wrap Your Baby EasycareKantoliinakanava Peau-à-peau Hoppediz Trageschule Nosenideti (.wmv) youtube TBW Semi Front Cross Carry SFCC 3.2m  /3.6m /4.2m TBW Short Cross Carry SCC 3.2m / 3.7m+ / 4.2m Peppermint Ellaroo Wrap Your Baby Kantoliinakanava Peau-à-peau Trageschule TBW (dropshots) Kangaroo Carry Kanga ‘Roo 2.7m / 3.2m / 3.7m TBW Ellaroo Easycare Kantoliinakanava Peau-à-peau Trageschule youtube Wrapababy Buddha Carry (facing out, legs in) 4.2m / 4.7m / 5.2m Kantoliinakanava ·Peau-à-peau Sumo Carry (facing out, legs out) 4.2m / 4.7m / 5.2m Peau-à-peau Common Abbreviation Wrap length Photo Instructions (*see key*) Video Instructions One-shoulder carries Hip Carry HC ?2.7m Peppermint Rebozo Way Wrap Your Baby Kantoliinakanava Peau-à-peau TrageschuleTrageschule Hip Cross Carry HCC 2.7m / 3.2m / 3.7m Peppermint Ellaroo Easycare Kantoliinakanava Trageschule Coolest Hip Cross Carry CHCC 3.2m / 3.7m / 4.2m TBW TBW TBW Poppins Hip Carry 2.7m / 3.4 / 3.7m TBW Wrapababy Robin’s Hip Carry (Beckysue’s & Robin’s) 2.7m / 3.7m / 3.7m Didymos Wrapababy Wrapababy Two-shoulder carries 2-Shoulder Hip Carry FWCC on the hip 4.2m / 4.7m / 5.2m TBW Common Abbreviation Wrap length Photo Instructions Video Instructions Torso carries Torso back carry TC 2m Peppermint Trageschule youtube youtube Torso back carry with knot at waist ? 3.2 m youtube One-shoulder carries Single shoulder (Rebozo) back carry ? 2.7m Rebozo Way Rebozo Way Jordan’s Back Carry Crossed In Front 3.8m / 4.2 / 4.5 TBW Two-shoulder carries Back Wrap Cross Carry BWCC 4m / 4.5m / 4.7m Peppermint Wrap Your Baby Kantoliinakanava Trageschule Wrapababy youtube Back Wrap Cross Carry with Chest Belt BWCC w/CB 4m / 4.5m / 4.7m TBW TBW TBW Trageschule Wrapababy youtube Back Wrap Cross Carry with Rucksack Straps BWCC w/ruckstraps 3.5m / 3.7m / 4.2m+ TBW Wrapababy TBW (photobucket) youtube Back Wrap Cross Carry with Rucksack Straps and Tibetan tie 4.2m / 4.2m / 4.7m youtube Back Cross Carry (Carry a la Mei Tai) BCC 4.2m / 4.7m / 5.2m Nosenideti (.wmv) TBW Rucksack Carry, Tied under bum RUB 2.2m+ / 2.7m / 3.2m youtube youtube Reinforced-Rear Rebozo Rucksack RRRR 2.7m / 2.7m / 3.2m TBW youtube Rucksack Carry, Crossed, Tied under bum RUB 2.7m / 3.2m / 3.5m Peppermint Rucksack Carry, Tied in front Ruck TIF 3m / 3.5m / 4m TBW TBW TBW Kantoliinakanava Trageschule Zoe’s Wrap Your Baby TBW Rucksack Carry, Crossed 3.7m / 4.2m / 4.6 Nosenideti (.wmv) Rucksack Carry, “Lexi twist” 3.2m / 3.7m / 4.2 TBW TBW (youtube,youtube) Rucksack with Tibetan tie Ruck TT 4m / 4.2m / 4.7m TBW TBW Trageschule Lin’s youtube Wrap Your Baby Rucksack Carry with Lexi twist and Tibetan tie 3.7m / 4.2m / 4.7m Reinforced Ruck 3.7m / 4.2m / 4.7m TBW Reinforced Rucksack, Strangleproof Straps (crossed + tucked) 3.7m / 4.2m / 4.7m TBW Obi/Strap Carry ?3.2m Easycare ·Kantoliinakanava ·Trageschule TBW Wiggle-Proof Back Carry (length = tied under bum) WP 4.7m / 5.2m / 5.7m TBW Gentle Christian Mothers TBW (photobucket) Double Rebozo Carry DR 3.2m / 3.2m / 3.7m TBW Full Taiwanese Carry long (>5m) TBW Jordan’s Back Carry JBC 3.7m / 3.7m / 4.2m Wrapababy ·Wrapababy Wrapababy(google, google)Nosenideti (.wmv) Secured High Back Carry SHBC 3.7m / 4.2m / 4.7m TBW · TBW TBW (photobucket)TBW(photobucket) Double Hammock/ Chunei  Back Carry DH/CBC 4.2m / 4.6m / 5.2m youtube

Photo Instructions Video Instructions Square Knot (Reef Knot) Slipknots: Tying Slipknot diagram – scroll to bottom TBW (photobucket) youtube Slipknots: Adjusting Size Charts Didymos Gypsy Mama General wrapping tips PookaBaby Kantoliinakanava Getting baby on your back Wrapyourbaby (many methods) Comfortable Rucksack Shoulders Sandwich technique at TheBabyWearer Changing one carry to another TBW (SHBC to FWCC photobucket) Nursing in a wrap TBW (photobucket) Keeping the ends off the ground youtube, youtube Printable Instructions with multiple carries Gypsy Mama Bara Barn Moby Wrap Peppermint (Girasol) Ellaroo Kari-Me – for a stretchy wrap Photo of carry w/ tips (each page shows multiple carries) Carrying newborns at Wrapyourbaby Storchenwiege Childrens Needs Peau-à-peau Babyidea.fi: Front, back, hip, newborn

PAXbaby.com

*happy babywearing*

PAXbaby.com

December 15, 2011

paxbaby.com

At PAXbaby.com, the PAXmamas get lots of emails every day from new wearers asking about their carrier options!  One option found at your local big-box baby retailer is the Mamas and Papas Morph.  We reviewed it previously here, but wanted to offer a few options for comparison!


One of the Morph’s features is that it can be switched from user to user.  The Beco Butterfly 2 carrier also allows this with its unique internal panel system and retails at the same price point; unlike the Morph, it can also be used to carry an older infant or toddler on your back, and it has a 45lb weight limit, unlike the 25lbs of the Morph, giving it greater longevity!  It also doesn’t require any additional pieces to be purchased to be used between multiple users and fits wearers from a size 0 to a size 28 comfortably while still offering easy adjustability!

The Morph also allows the baby a chance to face out.  The Beco Gemini is a good carrier for this that costs less and again allows more carrying positions; however, we also feel that the hip or high back carry options are better choices for babies who need to see the world a little more.  It has a $129 price point and a 35lb weight limit, which again will give greater longevity over the Morph!

Both carriers are soft and comfy for newborns and the BB2 will pack small enough to fit in a diaper bag.  Both also offer the benefit of quality ergonomic design for both baby and parent; studies have shown that the most physiologically correct position for an infant is an upright “spread-squat” position so that their lower bodies form an “M” position.  All of the carriers we sell help maintain this positioning for babies and offer support for them as they grow.  In addition, the structured waist belts allow the child’s weight to be supported on the strongest part of the wearer’s body when carrying a heavy load: the hips.  This is especially true for moms, as our hips are designed to do work (childbearing being one of the big pieces of work!) that men’s bodies don’t have to do.  Carriers like the Morph and the Bjorn distribute weight directly on the shoulders and are therefore often more comfortable for men, who tend to carry more strength in their upper bodies, but even big strong daddies often look for something more comfortable pretty early on!  Due to this design, these carriers can cause back pain the heavier babies get, often prematurely ending babywearing days which can otherwise stretch into toddlerhood!

At PAXbaby, we encourage you to REJECT uncomfortable and short-lived carriers in favor of something that you’ll want to wear all the time!  Please let us help you find something that will work best for your needs!

*happy babywearing*

December 13, 2011

paxbaby.com

Do you need an excuse to go to Washington DC next year? The International Babywearing Conference is June 29th – July 2nd, 2012! If you make it, you’ll be able to see Signing Time’s Rachel Coleman as the conference keynote speaker! Below, Kristie blogs about Rachel’s babywearing experiences.

—————————————————————

If you don’t know who Rachel Coleman is, you might not have a toddler.  If you have a toddler and don’t know who Rachel Coleman is, you might want to check out her show Signing Time!  In our TV-limiting household, Signing Time is one of the only things our toddler is allowed to watch, and the communication skills and LIFE skills she’s learned have been amazing!

If you watch the show, you probably know that Rachel’s daughter Leah was born without the ability to hear.  What you may not have known is that Rachel’s youngest daughter, Lucy, was born with spina bifida and cerebral palsy.  The doctors told Rachel that Lucy would never learn to talk or to sign, but through the family’s use of ASL, Lucy was able to learn and do both!

Having not let any of these other challenges stop her, Rachel was not willing to let a little thing like not walking keep her daughter from enjoying one of the family’s favorite pastimes–hiking!  A babywearing veteran–she’d worn Leah since birth–she knew already that babywearing was easier than assembling and hauling a wheelchair around.  But as babies do, baby Lucy got older… and bigger.  Rachel started to look around for options that would allow her to continue to be Lucy’s legs while still being safe and comfortable!  At 5’3”, she knew that it might be a challenge, but love provided the motivation for her to find a solution!

Serendipity intervened in the form of a chance encounter with another babywearer and Signing Time fan while Rachel and Lucy were visiting Sea World in San Diego, CA.  The fan mentioned BabyHawk’s OhSnap! carrier as a great carrier for older babies and up, and put Rachel in contact with people at Babyhawk, conveniently located right up the freeway in Oceanside, CA.  She and BabyHawk were able to work together to create a BabyHawk OhSnap! that would meet her needs!  The wide, padded hip belt make the BabyHawk comfortable for carrying heavier kiddos, and the tall back and broad base provide needed support!

Rachel blogged about some of her adventures babywearing with Lucy on her own blog.  She also shared a sign with us that’s important for babywearers everywhere–“backpack!”

December 12, 2011

PAXbaby.com

Merry {babywearing} Christmas!!!  Designed to be both festive and utilitarian, these Strap Wraps by Pimp my Carrier will cover and protect your shoulder straps of any buckle carrier, helping to keep baby’s drool from staining and fading the fabric!  The Wraps also pad any buckles or snaps that are in baby’s way of a cozy nap in your carrier!  Don’t have a buckle carrier?  Wear your Strap Wraps on your Mei Tai straps or even on the straps of your stroller!!!  Enjoy the festive spirit, and if you don’t win the FFS pair up for grabs as PAXbaby’s ELF drawing today at PAXbaby’s Facebook, come snag a pair free with every purchase over $150 OR buy a pair for $14 with free shipping to add some holiday cheer to your baby carrier!  Available in very limited quantities, and don’t forget to request which pattern you would prefer,  Matroshka Nativity, Whimsical Ornaments, or Vintage Shoppers!

PAXbaby.com

PAXbaby.com

*happy babywearing*

PAXbaby.com

December 11, 2011

PAXbaby.com

Perfect for every babywearer with a need to stay clean, Red Charlotte’s Stuff Sack will do the job in style!  A creative mom had an ingenious idea resulting in the oh-so-cute baby carrier Stuff Sack by Red Charlotte!  With its drawstring closure, you can easily slide your favorite carrier in the bag, pull the string closed and hang it from a hook or your stroller handle!  Got extra accessories like your chest clip, Strap Wraps, or hood??  Keep these handy in your Stuff Sack and stop worrying that they will disappear into the black hole under your passenger seat!  And if you have more than 1 carrier to Stuff, write a tag to hang from the handle so you can remember which carrier is in which Stuff Sack!  THANK YOU, Red Charlotte, for such a stylish way to store my stash!

PAXbaby

PAXbaby

Kicking off PAXbaby’s ELF week is a give away for your own Red Charlotte Stuff Sack so sweetly donated by Charlotte herself!  PAXbaby is hosting a merry week of FFS give aways so be sure to check back in at the PAXbaby Facebook page for more ELF goodies!

PAXbaby

PAXbaby

*happy {organizing} & babywearing*

PAXbaby

December 10, 2011

PAXbaby.com

Want something perfectly yummy to bake with baby’s help?  Or not so much help?  Strap baby on and get to baking!!!  These sweet corn cakes are absolutely fabulous!  I don’t have a picture of our cakes because we ate them too fast for the camera to even catch!  And there are certainly NO leftovers!

PAXbaby.com

Best Sweet Corn Cakes

*best of all, they are gluten free so our whole family could enjoy!

PAXbaby.com

Ingredients needed:

1/2 cup butter – softened

1/3 cup maseca – masa harina

1/4 cup water

1 1/2 cups frozen whole-kernel corn –  thawed & processed until chunky in the food processor

1/4 cup cornmeal

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/3 cup white sugar

2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream

PAXbaby.com

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Beat butter in bowl until creamy. Add the Maseca flour& water.  Mix well. Stir processed corn into the butter mixture.

In a separate bowl, mix cornmeal, salt, baking powder, sugar, & cream.

Mix both bowls together &  stir to combine.

Pour batter into 8×8 inch ungreased baking pan.

Place pan into a 9×13 inch baking dish filled a third of the way with water.

Bake for 50 – 60 minutes.

Allow to cool for 10 minutes.

PAXbaby.com

Best tip:

Use an ice cream scoop to serve the corn cakes.

PAXbaby.com

Enjoy this cutie pie picture of babywearing daddy, Luke, and his his tiny chef on his back in a Beco Butterfly II!

PAXbaby.com

*happy {baking} & babywearing*

PAXbaby.com

December 9, 2011

PAXbaby.com

Isn’t color amazing?  The different hues, saturations, and combinations are incredibly diverse and yet all related!!!  uring the design process of the PAXbaby exclusive Girasol, I’ve had an in depth look at the Girasol range of wraps – at the way the colors blend, and mix, and work as a wrap!  This is Felice, a delightful combination of natural tones which come together as a medley that says earthy without being “hippie”!  Enjoy for yourself the loveliness of Girasol’s Felice in a Ring Sling made just for you by SBP!  Visit PAXbaby’s Facebook page to enter the drawing!

PAXbaby.com

PAXbaby.com

*happy babywearing*

PAXbaby.com