I’m due with my fourth child in January. What two carriers will work together the best so I can carry my toddler and the new baby?

A: Congratulations! When you add a new baby to the family it can be a challenging time for everyone. Having the ability to carry your children and keep your hands free will be vital!

The best way to wear two children at once is to have one on front and one on the back. Your toddler will go on your back, and your newborn in front. We’ll start with the newborn.

You will need something that is easy to ‘pop’ your newborn into for a front carry. Our favorite is the Moby Wrap. This carrier can be wrapped on yourself first using easy-to-follow instructions and once it’s in place you can work on getting the toddler on your back. Another option for the newborn would be a Ring Sling or Pouch.

To get your toddler on your back a meh dai or soft structured carrier would be the easiest. Go ahead and get the toddler on first, securing the waist strap of the carrier under the Moby Wrap, and the shoulder straps over the Moby. Then you can pop your newborn in the Moby and spread out all the layers of fabric. With a carrier like the Beco Butterfly or Ergo, you probably will not be able to fasten the chest clip in front of you. If this doesn’t work well for your body shape, then choose the meh dai, which usually hugs closer to your body and fits better backpack style.

The post Wearing Two Together appeared first on PAXbaby.

I was privileged to be able to test an earlier version of the Oh Snap, a prototype from the design process. Let me first say that I love BabyHawks. I’m a meh dai girl, I know them in and out, I know a dozen different ways to tie them. Buckle carriers have a lot of similarities to meh dais, but what most don’t have is flexibility, not just the ability to adjust for different users, but real, true flexibility for different carries, different weight distribution, etc. Until now.

The Oh Snap is a meh dai improved. And not just any meh dai, the cream of the crop BabyHawk. The first thing you might notice about the Oh Snap is that it looks like a BabyHawk. The flip-up headrest is still there, the bold fabric combinations, the comfortably padded straps.

The number one complaint about meh dais is all that tying. With the Oh Snap it’s just buckle and go! No straps dragging, no fiddling with knots. The straps connect at the sides with a buckle, and extra webbing length means that you can easily cross the straps behind you for front wearing, or keep them buckled right in to the same side for backpack style shoulders when baby is on your back.

When you are doing a back carry and have the straps like a backpack, the chest strap (or sternum strap) can be used to keep the straps well-positioned on your shoulders. You will notice that the chest strap on the Oh Snap is unlike any other on the market. It is dual-adjusting, with two connectors on each shoulder strap. This gives a more customized fit. No twisting buckles, no pulling on the straps so they flip and look bunchy. The Oh Snap chest strap will move up and down on the shoulder straps and adjust so that it lays flat against you and does exactly what it should: keep the shoulder straps on your shoulders.

A few notes about the design of the Oh Snap. The size is similar to that of a BabyHawk. Seat darts have been added for a more form-fitting result. The straps will adjust to fit anyone up to a size 22 with no additional pieces necessary. And yes, they will adjust down to fit even a size zero. There’s nothing more annoying than doing a back carry and not being able to tighten in a carrier enough to hold your baby close, and the Oh Snap has taken that into account, making it ideal for small moms who may not have had success with other structured carriers. The Oh Snap is recommended for children 6 months and up. There is no infant insert currently available (although there is one in the works!), but until then, make sure your baby is able to sit on their own and can straddle the seat of the Oh Snap before you use it. Maximum weight is 45 pounds. That’s a lot, folks!

And now I would like to share my favorite part of the Oh Snap. I need to share a little bit of personal information in order to do this. I’m a small mama. Not tiny, tiny, but small. Being small, I’m lacking in one major area, my derriere. I don’t have much of one. Not much hips, either. This makes wearing carriers with waist support belts a little difficult. Most people will wear padded waist straps down around their hips, effectively transferring much their baby’s weight off their back and to their hips. This is a lot more comfortable when baby reaches 25 plus pounds.

Not everyone has the same shape around the hips, though. And those like me, who don’t have much of anything back there to hold a waist belt in place might find that the waist belt doesn’t stay in place, instead it slips down. Others might find that it creates pressure on the sides or becomes problematic with certain clothing. Well the Oh Snap takes this into account! Instead of just having a plain waist belt, or trying to decide between curved or straight, the Oh Snap is the first ever structured carrier with a customizable waist belt!

With two adjustments on each side of the waist belt, the Oh Snap can be adjusted to perfectly fit hips in all shapes and sizes. The adjustments allow the top of the waist strap to be adjusted separately from the bottom of the waist belt, so you can truly get the belt to sit on your hips, therefore your baby’s weight will be on your hips. Instant comfort!

The BabyHawk Oh Snap carriers are currently available for sale at PAXbaby.  Retail price is $140 and PAXbaby will has a wide selection available for instant shipping.  If you don’t see exactly what you want, let us know or visit the Design Center to pre-order your ideal Oh Snap!

For a limited time we are taking Oh Snap Preorders. Fill out the form below with your choice of strap color and fabric panel and we’ll email you with full details and an estimate of when it will ship.

Custom Orders Closing 1/4/2009

Please see BabyHawk.com for strap color and fabric panel choices.
Additional Fabric Panel Options ($149 each):

Dylan	Morgan also avail. on RED	Jasper

The post BabyHawk Oh Snap! appeared first on PAXbaby.

Have you ever been in the position of having to justify to someone (say, a spouse…) why you have multiple carriers?  OR, have you ever wished that you had a spare as a backup for when you get to the park with the toddler and infant and realize that your trusty Beco Butterfly is on the couch where you left it after doing laundry?

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As always, PAXbaby is here to help with our “Top 10 Reasons to Have Different Types of Carriers” list!
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10.  Your toddler has decided to rate sitting in a shopping cart right up there with fingernail trims as things that aren’t going to happen NO WAY NO HOW, but you HAVE to grocery shop, and there’s no way you can manage with a small person running amok in the store!  To the rescue?  A small and lightweight pouch sling kept underneath the driver’s seat of the car for such an occasion–they shine in hip carries and you can keep that picky little one right at your side the whole time!

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9. You’re enjoying a rare Saturday afternoon at the mall with a friend and her newborn.  But the poor babe wants lots of snuggles instead of stroller time, and mom’s arms are getting tired.  Rather than cutting the outing short, grab the your trusty Maya Wrap ring sling doing double duty as the  toddler’s blankey in your car and show the tired new mama how to keep her baby close and happy while enjoying some hands-free time!

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8. Baby is sick.  Husband is sick.  You’re not feeling so hot yourself.  Your poor little one has already thrown up on your trusty ring sling AND the well-loved SSC in your stash.  Grab that kiddo and wrap her up in a snuggly yet supportive Gypsymama Bali Stretch wrap!  Wearing a sick kiddo skin-to-skin in a carrier can actually help lower fever (your larger body will serve as a heat sink to draw her excess heat off) and relax you both.

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7. You load up several packages in the basket of your double stroller and take a leisurely walk to the post office.  Upon arriving, you realize that your stroller DOESN’T FIT THROUGH THE DOOR.  (Yes, this has ACTUALLY happened to me!)  You grab your Boba out of the stroller and put your toddler on your back and have your preschooler carry one box “to help mom out,” leaving your stroller outside.  Yeah, you have to worry about someone swiping it… but you can rest assured knowing that your most precious of possessions are right in there with you.

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6. You’re busy “reasoning” with the toddler while trying to get him out of the car.  Without realizing it, you close the door and the waistbelt of your trusty Babyhawk OhSnap! gets caught in the door and shatters.  You email Babyhawk and they’re immediately helpful, but while you’re waiting for their excellent customer support to repair your error, what do you do for a carrier?  It’s always nice to have a trusty and reasonably-priced Boba Classic in your stash for such occasions!

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5. You’re helping out on your preschooler’s class trip to the pumpkin patch.  There’s no way a stroller could navigate the muddy rutted paths, so you plan on wearing your little one snuggled up close to you in your comfy warm Moby Wrap, leaving your hands free to help your older child and her classmates as they find the PERFECT pumpkins to take home with them.  20 minutes into the trip, you hear a series of familiar sounds emanating from your little one and warning bells start to go off in your head.  A quick trip inside reveals the ugly truth…  the diaper’s toast, the outfit is toast, and the Moby is toast too.  You can clean up the initial mess… but what do to about the rest of the field trip?  Happily, you dig the Freehand meh dai out from under the front seat where it’s been living, waiting for its moment in the sun, and your day–and that of your preschooler–is SAVED!

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4. You’ve decided to put together that disaster preparedness kit that you’ve been meaning to work on for several years, but you realize that now you have kids, its contents will need to be much more creative!  Toss in an inexpensive but comfortable ring sling or pouch sling that can be used with various sizes of kiddos in various positions in a pinch… but it won’t hurt too much to have it languishing in a box for months on end either.  If you hit the point where you don’t have any kiddos small enough to wear, keep it in there anyway–you never know what use you might find for it in an emergency!

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3. You’re at a playdate with a friend and her little ones.  She mentions how heavy her six-month-old is getting to carry around in the infant car seat, but the Bjorn she got for a shower gift causes her so much back pain, and she guesses the “babywearing thing” just isn’t for her.  There’s no way you can get through a day with your own infant without a carrier, but since you have extras, you lend her your FABULOUS and well-loved Beco Butterfly 2 so that she can feel comfortable AND stylish while carrying her babe around!  No more back and shoulder pain for her, and she later tells you that her chiropractor thanks you as well!

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2. It’s late afternoon and your kiddo who has recently dropped his nap is having a minor meltdown that’s quickly escalating to the major stage.  A nap might be called for… but then bedtime will much later than YOU want to stay up!  Quiet him down by telling him that you’re going to pull out something special–the super special Superman Babyhawk!  “It’s only for SPECIAL times, sweetie–do you think this is a special time and we should use it?”  Pop him on your back and go for a short walk to recharge everyone’s batteries with some fresh air!

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1. You’re having one of THOSE days.  You’ve been in the same pair of jeans for three days straight, you can’t remember the last time you got your hair cut, and the last you saw of your makeup was when the kiddo was gleefully painting with your lipstick.  YOU need something fresh, something different, and something fun!  Treat yourself to a custom carrier from PAXbaby’s Pimp My Carrier program so that you can find something that makes YOU smile!!

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*happy babywearing*

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The post Baby carriers for extreme situations appeared first on PAXbaby.

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We’ve blogged before about counterfeit carriers, including the PAXbaby favorite Freehand meh dai.  In continuance of our efforts to give you the most complete info available about potentially unsafe and definitely ILLEGAL counterfeit carriers, PAXbaby has specific information about counterfeit Beco Butterfly 2 carriers.

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Yes, sadly, the beloved Beco Butterfly 2 has been counterfeited and can be found on Ebay through various sellers.  These sellers include but are not limited to heminyi2011, evan121221, and jack6800_tw.  Don’t assume, however, that a seller is safe if it’s not listed here—these sellers often close down one username and create another to continue to sell their counterfeit products in violation of Ebay’s terms of service!  These sites may have stock pictures of REAL carriers in boxes or on models that they’ve stolen from the Beco website.  That doesn’t mean that the carrier they send you will look ANYTHING like the one pictured, and definitely will not be constructed in the same quality as a genuine Beco.  Remember: just because it’s pretty on the outside doesn’t mean that it’s pretty on the inside!  One big red flag is when the item ships from anywhere in Asia—usually directly from the factory that produces the counterfeits!  Two patterns that are almost CERTAINLY counterfeit are the former Japan-exclusive prints of Jasmin [pictured below] and Vanessa.  If you’re interested in one and the seller can’t provide a history that links back to an authorized seller, BEWARE.

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How can you spot a fake?  Here are some tips to help you!

• All authentic Beco Baby Carriers are currently produced in California, with the exception of the Metro Black and Espresso carriers.  This is clearly stated on the listing page on every product on Beco Baby Carrier’s website.
• For Becos produced prior to January 2010, there are a few different manufacturing locations.
• Beco Butterfly 1 carriers made between November 2007 and February 2008 were produced in the Dominican Republic.
• Beco Butterfly 2 carriers made between August 2009 and January 2010 were produced in China.
• Each unit has a white tag on the inside with black printing which clearly states the BATCH NUMBER and DATE OF PRODUCTION (for example “Beco Baby Carrier Butterfly 2 produced in January 2010” would be “BBC012010BTR2”)
• If a unit happens to have a batch number/date of production different than this and still says “made in China”, then your carrier is almost certainly a counterfeit.
• There are TWO authorized North America Ebay sellers for Beco Baby Carriers.  These are BigBlueCastle (with an Ebay feedback score of 38054 and counting) and ImaginaryKids (Ebay feedback score of 20056 and counting).  Both have 100% positive Ebay feedback and have been valued Beco retailers since 2007.  Beco encourages anyone specifically wishing to purchase a Beco from Ebay to patronize these legit businesses.
• Beco must authorize sales for its authorized retailers; if a product is shown for less than list price at one retailer, all the retailers should be offering a similar sale.  MSRP for the Beco Butterfly is $139 and Gemini is $129, with a Beco-authorized sale currently running that prices them at $129 and $105 respectively.  If a price seems too good to be true, it probably is.
• The websites of authorized Beco vendors contain the Beco seal of authenticity which links back to the Beco Baby Carriers webpage.  Fake sites often do not have this.

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To sum up: Counterfeit baby carriers are bad for businesses and bad for babywearers.  While authentic Becos are constructed using organic body fabrics and the highest grade of stitching, buckles, and webbing and fully CIPSA-compliant, counterfeits are made of substandard materials that have not been tested for safety in use with children’s gear.  Reports of issues with counterfeit carriers include buckles cracking (imagine climbing a staircase and having a buckle release, tumbling your precious cargo down the stairs!), stitching coming undone, and poor construction leading to straps that pull out from the body when even a minimum amount of force is applied.

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You owe it to yourself and your baby to make sure that the product you use has been designed and constructed to be as safe as possible.  Please make sure to purchase only from Beco-authorized retailers, make sure to ask critical questions to anyone selling a carrier you’re interested in (including asking for proof of purchase if you’re buying a used carrier!), and pass the word along to others both inside and out of the babywearing community.  One baby death in a counterfeit carrier could cause a whole host of government legislation to turn the US babywearing community on its head—again.  Things were touch-and-go for a while after the Infantino recall; the industry may not survive another such threat.

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Thank you for your attention to this serious matter!  We promise to return you to slightly fluffier blog topics tomorrow. 

The post Serious Business appeared first on PAXbaby.

Enter PAXbaby’s Pimp My Carrier! Customize your favorite carrier with fabric for your favorite team, add some Personali-TEE using your favorite t-shirt, or just jazz things up a bit with Strap Wraps, a Mai Poketto, or a Cutie Cover slipcover that shows your loyalty!

Help teach your little one EARLY where their loyalties should lie with custom carriers and accessories from Pimp My Carrier!

*happy babywearing*

The post A SUPER carrier for the Superbowl? appeared first on PAXbaby.

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*

The post Morph-ing Into a Better Carrier appeared first on PAXbaby.

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.

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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!”

The post Yes You Can… Wear an Older Child! appeared first on PAXbaby.

PAXfriends, it’s almost Thanksgiving!  Once we pass that savory American holiday, another uniquely American phenomenon is upon us: shopping season!

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Your FAVORITE babywearing SUPERSTORE is planning something SPECIAL for Black Friday AND for Small Business Saturday!  Between now and Thursday night, I’ll be posting PHOTO hints here on Facebook: see if you can put the clues together for a guess!  Watch for your first hint coming early this afternoon!

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Thank you to super-sweet and amazingly crafty Heather at Pinfluence for our super-cute PAXturkey!

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*happy babywearing*

The post A Great American Tradition appeared first on PAXbaby.

PAXbaby mama Kristie blogs on our biological NEED for touch!

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Many of us have sadly heard the comments before.

“No baby could like being tied up in that thing!”

“If you hold her all the time, you’re going to spoil her!”

“He’ll never learn to walk if you always carry him!”

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If you’ve ever felt pressure from well-meaning family and friends telling you that something is wrong with holding/snuggling/wearing your baby, this story about a newborn monkey whose prescribed treatment for survival was TOUCH might help quell some of the criticism.  For humans and other primate species, the need to be held is not only social-emotional, but a biological necessity in order to ensure healthy growth and development!!  Snuggling your baby close helps promote healthy breathing patterns and weight gain for newborns, more stability in temperature control no matter the weather conditions, and secure attachment throughout life.  So snuggle away!!  <3

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The post Babywearing: It’s Biological appeared first on PAXbaby.

SSCs are awesome for comfortable on-the-go babywearing!   Sometimes, though, you just can’t beat the feeling of having mom and baby wrapped up nice and snug in something cozy and supportive–like a Hybrid Stretch from Wrapsody Baby Carriers!

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And when your little one needs to eat, no worries about unwrapping–simply boost babe up a little to gain some extra slack, slide one side of the wrap down your shoulder, and latch on!

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*happy babywearing*

The post Snuggles and a free hand! appeared first on PAXbaby.

One of the most common questions we get here at PAXbaby from people who NEED a GREAT carrier that’s easy to use and quick to toss on is “which one of these SSCs is best for me?”  A carrier is a lot like that perfect pair of jeans–no one carrier will fit any two wearers exactly the same!

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But PAXbaby carries at least eleventy-billion (at last count) carriers, you say!  How is one supposed to narrow it down to just ONE?  (Or two… or five… )  Enter PAXbaby’s NEW SSC Carrier Comparison Matrix!  This handy dandy chart can quickly help you narrow down your options and find true babywearing BLISS!!  And of course, please email us if you have any questions or need help narrowing down your options!

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Overwhelmed?  Consider renting a carrier or three to try before you buy with PAXbaby’s Sling Exchange rental program!

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*happy babywearing*

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The post That PERFECT pair of jeans! appeared first on PAXbaby.

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I first read about the Manduca when Jillian blogged about it while on her Australian adventure, but because they’re not available for sale in the US, I hadn’t been able to try one, *sob*!  However, one happy day, a beautiful Organic Red one came back to PAXbaby as previously-loved, and I JUMPED on it!

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Since then, it’s become one of my favorite carriers–versatile and comfy!  I like that I can leave the back zipped when my toddler wants to ride with her arms out and look around, and then unzip the back to give her a little more support when she’s ready to nap!  I love how adjustable every little bit is: even the hood has a button-elastic sizing system (if you’ve seen a one-size Fuzzibunz, it’s the same idea) to help it cradle any size of head that might be nodding off while in the carrier!

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Now, as a mama of two, I love it even more–it truly does it all for either kiddo!  The internal newborn harness is easy to use and snuggles my little Buglet into the lightly padded body of the carrier (but there are no extra pieces to have to remember to bring!), and the hood easily sizes down to cradle her head while providing good airflow!  Yet with no work or complicated adjustments, I can easily toss my older Bug on my back for some fun adventures as well!

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The first picture is my Buglet at six weeks old snuggled in for a nap while on a family adventure.  The hood clips on the shoulder straps slide up and down depending on the angle you want the hood at for a smaller kiddo, and leaving them farther up provided some shade while still ensuring good airflow and allowing me to see her cute little face!

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However, not too long afterwards, Daddy wanted some snuggles with the Buglet and my BIG girl wanted some snuggles with mom, so I switched gears… but without having to switch anything on the Manduca!

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Yep, it’s safe to say that we’re fans!

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*happy babywearing*

The post The incredible and versatile Manduca!! appeared first on PAXbaby.

That’s right, Babylegs fans, your FAVORITE legwarmers are coming back to PAXbaby just in time for cool weather!

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How are Babylegs GREAT for babywearers?

• They cover that gap between pants and socks when baby is in a carrier!
• They provide an extra layer under baby’s pants for cold-weather babywearing!
• Put on little arms and fold over hands to keep tiny fingers toasty!
• Tuck socks into the bottom to keep them from falling off!
• ???  The possibilities are almost endless!

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Babylegs will be available at PAXbaby by mid-September, but YOU, our loyal blog readers, have the chance to email Kristie at kristie.paxbaby@gmail.com to find out about our preorder SPECIAL!

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Act fast–preorders are only open through midnight on Tuesday 8/23!

The post Babylegs are back! appeared first on PAXbaby.

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That’s because you didn’t hear about the BABYWEARING flash mob in Salt Lake City recently!  Sponsored by NAP, Inc., makers of the fabulous Boba Baby Carrier and Sleepy Wrap, a group of babywearing parents mobbed for a fun dance to show off their beautiful kiddos and beautiful carriers!  Check it out!

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*happy babywearing*

The post Flash Mob! appeared first on PAXbaby.

A thoughtful guest post from PAXbaby’s Sling Exchange coordinator, Kristie!

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NPR had an interesting piece yesterday on new parents in Bolivia forsaking the traditional aguayo wrap sling in the name of being more “modern.”  Many commentors noted that as they go one way, we seem to be going the other, having recognized that the “Western” way of doing things isn’t always the best way.

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One thing for potential new babywearers to note is that there’s often a learning curve to babywearing even when it’s part of the culture.  From the article,

“I was afraid to use the aguayo, I didn’t know how,” she says. “The first time I tried, he ended up facing down, with his feet where his head should’ve been. But my mother has been helping me learn, and it’s gotten better.”

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One can hope that the circle continues to turn in Boliva and elsewhere so that thousands of years of babywearing culture isn’t lost!

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p*happy babywearing*

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The post The rise and fall of babywearing appeared first on PAXbaby.

An ode to the magic sleepy dust carrier

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When my kiddo’s having an evening fuss
And mama’s feeling the need to cuss
There’s one sure way to quell the tears
And settle down my little dear

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Out I pull the special sling
And put my kiddo in the thing
Wrap the straps all nice and tight
And settle the squish down in for the night

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Without fail, in no time at all
My baby fast asleep does fall
I heave a sigh as off she nods
And send my thanks to the carrier gods

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I don’t know how or from where it came
But I’m thankful for my sleepy dust sling
For peace and happiness without any fuss
Babywearing works for us.

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*happy babywearing*

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The post An ode to the magic sleepy dust carrier appeared first on PAXbaby.

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**WARNING FOR SENSITIVE READERS — BABY DEATH IS MENTIONED IN THE LINKED ARTICLE**

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You might have seen this article if you’re a member of the Babywearing Safety group on Facebook (and if you’re not, you should be!) or if you stumbled across it through another media source. Our hearts go out to everyone involved in what seems like a tragic accident involving lack of education.

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However, the article quotes a doctor whose statements need some clarification.  Please keep in mind that mainstream doctors tend not to be very educated about babywearing in general, and Dr Lasser’s comments show precisely that, and please keep in mind that the term “harness carrier” applies to the “crotch dangling” brands such as Infantino and Jeep, not any of the baby carriers sold or recommended at PAXbaby:

PAXbaby.com

“Dr. Michael Lasser, a Cortlandt pediatrician on the staff at Hudson Valley Hospital Center, said harness-type carriers shouldn’t be used for newborns.”

“I wouldn’t recommend them for someone so young,” he said. “Anything that might constrict the ability of a baby to breathe is a problem. At that age, I tell my patients to carry the baby in their arms or use a bassinet.”

He said newborns breathe at a rate of 40 to 50 times per minute and that their breathing is very shallow.

“It doesn’t take much to influence that, so I would advise against using any kind of carrier that might make breathing more difficult,” he said.

Harness carriers are appropriate for a baby at 2 months old, depending on his or her size, he said.

“If you have a very small baby, you’ll want to wait longer,” Lasser said. “I tell parents that the harness carriers are a good thing to use at 2 1/2 or 3 months.PAXbaby.com

Harness carriers (sometimes referred to as “crotch danglers”) such as the Baby Bjorn or Infantino can be a safe option for newborns provided they’re used according to the instructions provided with specific reference to infant size and positioning. They are not always the BEST option, but they are not necessarily an UNSAFE option. ANY carrier can be used in an unsafe manner, which is why it’s imperative that caregivers be fully aware of the instructions for use for any device (bassinet, car seat, carrier, sling, etc.) that they’re entrusting to hold their precious baby. For a healthy, full-term newborn, a carrier can be a loving and safe option to keep mom (or dad!) and baby close and snuggly.

PAXbaby.com

Dr. Lasser also makes another statement which requires clarification:

“There should be enough space for the baby to be comfortable while upright and still able to curl sideways.”PAXbaby.com

Babies without enough torso control to sit unassisted should NEVER be left to “curl up” in a carrier by themselves. It is ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL that the positioning in the carrier be done only by the parent to ensure that the baby is in a safe position that will allow for proper airflow!

PAXbaby.com

He does make one very important point regarding any baby-holding device, though.

PAXbaby.com

“The most important thing is to always monitor your baby. If you’re paying attention, you’ll see if he or she is uncomfortable or is having trouble.”PAXbaby.com

From the limited info available, it seems that this infant passed due to lack of airflow from a loving and well-meaning parent trying to keep her warm. Winter babywearing is a GREAT way for wearer and wearee to stay warm and snuggly, but as mentioned above, it is critical that the carrier and positioning be monitored to provide for clear airflow for the newborn, even if it is cold air.  Many people who have had winter babies in cold northern climates say that wearing an infant as opposed to carrying her in a bucket car seat is entirely doable and extremely convenient, but that care must be taken to keep baby warm and to ensure good airflow.

PAXbaby.com

Our hearts go out to everyone involved in this tragedy, and to all of the parents who are now worried that their newfound love of babywearing may be unsafe. Educate educate educate, not only yourself, but those around you! For more info on SAFE babywearing, see the above Facebook group or The Babywearer or refer to these safety tips:

PAXbaby.com

*Make sure you are following the carrier manufacturer’s recommendations and have read the available instruction materials.

PAXbaby.com
* Make sure baby doesn’t get overheated. Our bodies radiate a lot of heat and that serves to keep baby warm in the carrier. There shouldn’t be a reason to wrap baby in a blanket while in a carrier. Dress baby in one layer less while using a carrier as your body heat and the carrier itself add an extra layer.

PAXbaby.com
*Baby should be high enough for you to be able to kiss the top of his head. This way you are better able to monitor his breathing and make sure baby’s head is to the side.

PAXbaby.com

*happy and SAFE babywearing*

PAXbaby.com

The post Babywearing safety appeared first on PAXbaby.

paxbaby.com

1. Your rentals should be postmarked no later than two weeks from the date you returned them. We use the date they show as “delivered” in the USPS tracking system to calculate your return date for purposes of late fees. .                                     .                                                                 ...
2. Please use the envelope included with your rentals to return the carriers. If your carrier comes with small bits and pieces, this envelope can be a GREAT place to store them to avoid having them get lost. .                                                                        .                                     .
3. Don’t worry about washing the carriers—carriers are cleaned and sanitized at PAXbaby headquarters using an environmentally friendly process.  Please note: any carrier returned smelling of smoke is subject to an automatic $35 cleaning fee. .                                           .             .   .
4. Please try to return carriers promptly, as we often have other renters waiting to try out these GREAT carriers!  If you absolutely find that you can’t get it back before your rental period is up (family illness or other circumstance), PLEASE email the Sling Exchange coordinator at kristen.paxbaby@gmail.com ASAP to let her know that your carrier will be returning late.  This helps us communicate with the people waiting eagerly to try them next.   Carriers returned late may be subject to a $5 per week late fee (1 week minimum).

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Instructions for each carrier can be found at the links below. Don’t hesitate to contact Kristen at kristen.paxbaby@gmail.com if you have any questions about use or fit—we want to help you wear them comfortably and safely!

paxbaby.com

Angelpack: http://www.angelpack.com/pages/baby-carrier-instructions.php

BB2: http://paxbaby.com/beco-butterfly-instructions/

Boba: http://www.bobababycarrier.com/index.php?page=boba-instructions

Ergo: http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/support/instructions

Gemini: http://www.becobabycarrier.com/docs/2010-GEMINI-USER-MANUAL.pdf

Manduca: http://www.manduca.de/downloads/manduca_anleitung_dina5_standard.pdf

O&A: http://www.olivesandapplesauce.com/WEBbooklet.pdf

OhSnap: http://www.babyhawk.com/Instructions/OhSnap.aspx

Pikkolo: http://catbirdbaby.com/index.php/pikkolo-info/

Scootababy: http://www.scootababy.com/instructions.php

Ring Slings: http://www.sleepingbaby.net/wearing/index.php

Wrap Slings: http://www.babylonia.be/product_manual/BBslen_engels_LR.def.pdf

meh dais: http://www.babyhawk.com/Instructions/

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Many of our carriers have little bits and pieces that you might not use as you experiment with the carrier to find what works for you.  Below is a list of our rental SSCs and their accessories.  When you receive your carrier, PLEASE look to make sure that that you have also received all the listed accessories and your Mai Poketto if you requested one!  If you did not receive everything on this list, please contact our Sling Exchange coordinator ASAP at kristen.paxbaby@gmail.com.   We don’t want to charge you for something you didn’t get in the first place!

• ABC: Chest belt
• Angelpack: sleeping hood and chest belt
• Babyhawk OhSnap!: chest belt
• Beco Butterfly II: infant insert, sleeping hood
• Beco Gemini: chest belt
• Beco 4G: Chest belt, sleeping hood
• Boba: 2 stirrups, sleeping hood
• Ergo: chest belt (may be attached to the carrier on newer versions)
• Manduca: chest belt
• Olives and Applesauce SSC: chest belt
• Pikkolo: chest belt (may be attached to the carrier on newer versions), waist support belt, hood

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Thank you for renting with Sling Exchange!  We look forward to hearing which carrier you like the best!

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*happy babywearing*

The post Sling Exchange Info! appeared first on PAXbaby.

Well we’ve got an entry that we think is just fab and we can’t wait to show it to you! Here’s an entry from Brandi, repurposing an Infantino SlingRider that she found on Craigslist.

Isn’t it just wonderful? Think you can top this? Maybe you can! Get out there, search and destroy!

The post Hey Ladies! Are you watching? appeared first on PAXbaby.

Here at PAXbaby we are passionate about safe slings. We want to find other like-minded moms and unite together to make it known that there are safe and comfortable options out there.

What YOU can do!

1. Be prepared with business cards for your favorite baby carrier retailers so you can promote Safe Slings! (Email us and we’ll send you some! ;))
2. Slip cards into the boxes of the uncomfortable, non-ergonomic, and potentially dangerous carriers at the big box stores like Target and Babies R Us!
3. Speak out! When you see a mom wearing a “crotch dangler” or bag sling, get your courage up to go over and let her know what has been happening with those types of carriers.
4. Invade the baby shower with a fabulous gift of a Safe Sling and offer to demonstrate! The mom-to-be may be to shy to ask for help and will end up using a dangerous sling just because it looked easier!
5. Be an advocate! If you are part of a mainstream moms forum, or mom’s group, spread the word about Safe Slinging and which carriers to avoid! Moms will thank you for your help and will boost your babywearing esteem!

My Story!

I was 6 months pregnant with my 4th baby when I realized that the wonderful Maya Wrap ring slings that I had used for my 3 previous babies were just not going to cut it this time around! I’d need both my hands free to take care of my new baby plus my older 3 toddlers! Let’s face it, with 4 kids under 5, I’d need all the help I could get!

So, I stopped at Target with my belly and babies in tow to peruse their baby carrier selection. I knew I needed something with 2 shoulder straps so I chose a Infantino Euro Rider! I took it home and showed my husband all the features, and the first thing he said was “Take it back! It’s a piece of junk!” I was shocked because it’s a good company, yadda yadda…

He suggested I do more research online before taking the plunge. I googled baby carriers, and you know what came up? Yes, it was TheBabyWearer.com! I decided on a Beco. (see the picture of me below!) And the rest is babywearing history!

The post Babywearers Unite! appeared first on PAXbaby.