Omaha Cloth Diaper/Babywearing 101

We are going to be up in Omaha visiting family for Thanksgiving, and I am planning a cloth diaper/babywearing 101 class while we are in town! See the flyer below for details. If you are in Omaha, I hope to see you there!

Product Highlight: BumDuo by MommySwami

When I attended the Houston BIRTH fair last month, I was privileged to meet Bonnie and Juliet, creators of a new, all natural diaper rash preventative and healing solution. They are based here in Houston and call their family run company MommySwami. A little about their products:

The Bum Keeper: preventative care--keeps baby's bum healthy by creating a protective barrier of organic, nourishing essential oils. Gentle enough for use at every diaper change, sweet almond oil and olive oil combine with a blend of antibacterial and calming essential oils to keep those cheeks sweet. Doubles as a soothing massage oil for baby and/or mommy.

Don't Worry-Bum Happy: a unique and effective blend of organic essential oils designed to heal and soothe diaper rash (including angry pustules and beastly yeast). Contains no petro-chemicals or fish oils that could be harmful to baby (or cloth diapers). Naturally antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-infectious, anti-microbial, and anti-inflammatory. (note: not intended for preventative care...for maintenance, choose Bum Keeper.

The Bum Keep and Don't Worry-Bum Happy are available in a Duo pack in the baby, naturally store. Discounted for a limited time! More info here!

Houston BIRTH Fair 2009

We had a great time this past Saturday at the Houston BIRTH Fair! It was great to see so many moms, dads, moms & dads to be, and kids checking out all the great birth and beyond resources Houston has to offer. I met lots of wonderful vendors and professionals as well! It was a lot of fun and I am looking forward to next year already!

I was privileged to share a booth with Jamie from Hypnobirthing Experiences. If you are in the Houston metro and looking into Hypnobirthing, please check out Jamie's website. We had a great table location, right across from the main entrance. My wonderful husband stayed up late with me the night before working out our booth set up and packing up all the diapers, slings, and accessories. For my first time as a vendor, I think it came together pretty well. I learned a lot, though, and now know what to expect for next time.

My son, leading the ladies down the hall.
Our booth.
This was at the end of the day...Lincoln was a less than willing model at this point : )

Thanks to everyone who came by our booth! It was great to meet you!

Under the Nile Organic Toys

Under the Nile manufactures more than 200 products ranging from bibs to toys, all using 100% organic Egyptian cotton carrying the USDA organic seal. No pesticides or chemicals are used during the entire process, from growing the cotton to manufacturing the items. Under the Nile is also proud to use only metal-free or vegetable dyes. All toys manufactured by Under the Nile are stuffed with 100% organic cotton--not synthetic fluff.

One of the most exciting aspects of working with Under the Nile is knowing that the sale of their products helps to support the 13 Villages Project. Taking place in 13 rural villages in Egypt, the 13 Villages Projects educates villagers on how to manufacture the fruit and vegetable line of toys by Under the Nile. Villagers are able to remain in their villages to work and are given an advance for their work and to purchase materials needed to make the toys. Under the Nile also provides health care and education and dental and overall health to the villagers.

Recently, Under the Nile's fruit basket toy was featured in Baby Maternity Retailer magazine.

We are pleased to carry the fruit basket at baby, naturally LLC, and let me tell you, it is ADORABLE. We also carry the fantastically cute veggie crate. What a fun way for your children to learn about fruit and vegetables. And, knowing that they are made from 100% organic cotton inside and out, you can be at ease when they promptly stuff each one in their mouths (just as my son would do...pardon me while I remove that magazine cover from his chompers...).

Choosing a Baby Carrier

Now that you know about the mei tai carrier, I wanted to share a bit about other carriers that are out there. I haven't put together videos yet, but they are forthcoming!

Wrap Carriers

A wrap baby carrier is a long, continuous strip of fabric that can be tied on in a variety of different ways to carry baby. They are one of the most versatile carriers, in that you have many options for different carrying positions. Wraps are best suited for front and hip carries. If you are mostly interested in using your wrap for a hip carry, there are shorter wraps available that are perfect for that purpose (called Rebozo length). Back carries are possible with a wrap, but be warned that it is best to use a non-stretchy material (such as a woven cotton wrap) and you will want to have a spotter unless you are an old pro at it!

Above: The Moby Wrap is an example of a stretchy wrap.

Above: The Ellaroo Wrap is an example of a woven wrap.

Pouch Carriers

The Pouch Carriers are especially beginner friendly. They are worn across the body (as you would wear a sash...because, you know, we all wear sashes on a regular basis...). The fabric of the pouch forms a pocket in which you can carry your baby. For infants, they work great for cradle carries. As baby gets a bit older, they may enjoy facing forward in the pouch in a kangaroo carry. Pouches can even be used with older babies for a hip carry. I always keep a pouch in my car for running into the store quickly with the baby. With pouch carriers, sizing can be important, unless you are looking at an adjustable pouch. If you are looking at a sized pouch, be sure to measure accurately to ensure it will fit you properly. If you are shopping while you are pregnant, be sure to allow for your changing size post-pregnancy.

Above: The Slingling Pouch Carrier

Ringsling Carriers

Ringslings are similar to the pouch carriers in that that baby is seated into a pouch in the fabric. The difference comes in that with a ringsling, you are able to adjust the fit by sliding the fabric tail through 2 rings (usually aluminum or plastic). This allows the carrier to adjust to a growing baby, or be used by 2 different sized adults. The tail on the carrier comes in handy as a nursing cover, wind block, shade, or even a shield if you are trying to keep curious hands away from a sleepy baby. Ringslings can be used for front carries, hip carries, and even back carries! My husband and I loved our ringsling when Lincoln was newborn. I never did master a back carry, but I do still like it for the hip carry.

Above: The Maya Wrap Lightly Padded Ringsling

My husband carrying our then 2-month old son in the ringsling.

Mei Tai Carrier

(I know I already covered these...but I wanted to include it for anyone who is just jumping in on this post later on...) : )

Mei tais are inspired by traditional Chinese baby carriers. They are made up of a rectangular piece of fabric with 4 straps (one attached to each corner). Mei tais can be used for infants through toddlers and are adaptable for front, back, and hip carries. The weight of the baby is distributed over both shoulders evenly. Mei tais may have lightly padded straps, or may not have padding at all. Whether you go with padding or not is just personal preference. Mei tais are my personal carrier of choice.

Above: The BabyHawk mei tai carrier

Soft Structured Carriers

Soft structured carriers are similar in function to a mei tai carrier, but with the addition of buckle closures instead of ties. The material is generally a bit firmer as well. Soft structured carriers vary in the type of carries they offer, the material used to make them, the way the weight is distributed, the padding used on the shoulder straps, the type of buckle closures used, and more. There are many types out there, so more than likely there is one to fit your needs! We use and like the Beco Soft Structured Carrier. At this time, we do not carry a soft structured carrier in our store, but we are on the lookout for one to add soon!

Above: My son in the Beco, helping me in the garden (well, what we hope will someday be the garden, anyway...)

I hope this information was helpful as you start/add to/continue your search for a baby carrier! Enjoy babywearing your child!

Sale and Giveaway on my business blog

It's been awhile since I've done a giveaway here at Our Lincoln Log...and although this isn't an announcement of one here, I do have one currently underway on my business blog!  In celebration of International Babywearing Week, I'm giving away a Moby Wrap!  I hope you'll enter!

Here's the link.

Also going on....

A sale on all baby carriers!  You can take 10% off your entire order as long as it includes a baby carrier with the code IBW2009!  If you already have a carrier, they make wonderful gifts for new moms or moms-to-be.  Baby carriers really are my number one recommendation for all new moms and dads--even Lucas agrees : )  The sale is good through Monday, September 28th.

Bonus Sale!  (And this is really a great deal!).  From today through Monday, if you buy ANY in stock baby carrier, you can get a Slingling from our in stock selection for $20!  That is half price!  Pouch slings are wonderful for quick trips to the store, walks to the mailbox, etc.  We always keep one in our car.  It was also especially handy when Lincoln was a little guy--he LOVED the kangaroo carry.  Code:  SLINGLING

Mei Tai Baby Carriers (International Babywearing Week)

Today I wanted to talk a bit about mei tais (pronounced may-tie). A mei tai baby carrier is inspired by traditional Chinese baby carriers. They are made up of a rectangular piece of fabric with 4 straps (one attached at each corner). Mei tais can be used for infants through toddlers and are adaptable for front, back, and hip carries. The weight of the baby is distributed over both shoulders evenly.

I put together a video today demonstrating how to do a forward carry in a mei tai carrier. The mei tai I am using is a Maya Tie by Maya Wrap. We do carry these in the baby, naturally LLC store! Please let me know if you have any questions about this carry. I will also link to some videos of other mei tai carries for you.

I hope you enjoyed the video! Please stop by tomorrow....for our FIRST giveaway!!!!

AND, don't forget....10% off all orders with the purchase of any instock baby carriers with the cody IBW2009 (order must include a baby carrier for discount to be valid).

International Babywearing Week 2009 is Here!

(Maya Tie)

Welcome to the kickoff of International Babywearing Week! Here at baby, naturally LLC we are kicking off the celebration with a brief introduction to the benefits of babywearing. Throughout the week, we'll be sharing a bit about the various types of carriers out there, so if you have questions, let me know and I will try and answer them in an upcoming post! We also have two (TWO!) exciting giveaways planned, so be sure to follow along on our blog, Twitter, and Facebook for more information!

So..... why babywear? Isn't it hard on your back/shoulders? Won't the baby resist?

The reality is that yes, if you have a poorly designed carrier, your shoulders and back WILL get sore. If you have a carrier that is uncomfortable for the child, they WILL resist. But, the reality is also that it doesn't have to be that way. There are fantastic carriers available that are designed to evenly distribute weight, meaning you can wear your child for hours or while doing doing activities such as hiking, housework, shopping with no pain. Many carriers are so comfortable that your child may even be lulled to sleep.

(Moby Wrap)

Ok... but what are the benefits? Why not just use a playpen?

Many parents, desperate to get something done around the house or even get a shower, rely on the playpen to keep baby safe while starting the laundry, etc. The beauty of babywearing is that you can still do all those things, but your baby will be with you. You don't have to worry that they are getting into something they shouldn't, or that they are bored or lonely, because they are along for the ride! When I wear my son, I always notice how intently he watches what I am doing. He is up at my level, so he is able to see more of what goes on. He is able to tune into my speech because he is near my voice. If you have to run to the grocery store, you can wear baby in a sling and avoid hauling in the car-seat or messing with a germy cart. Bring your baby along on a hike--a wonderful way for them to enjoy nature and places a stroller can't go!

Which type of carrier should I use?

The type of carrier you decide on can vary from person to person. Important questions to consider: when will I be wearing the baby? Only around the house? Out and about? How old is my child? Do I want a carrier that will grow with baby, or several different carriers? Many families choose to buy a few different carriers for different situations. For example, I like to keep a pouch carrier in my car for quick trips into the post office or store. When I am doing work around the house, I like a soft structured carrier or mei tai. When my son was a newborn, I relied on a ring sling.

(BabyHawk)

During the week, I will go into more details on what the different types of carriers are. For now, though, let's get on to the good stuff!

baby, naturally LLC is pleased to announce that we are FULLY STOCKED with a wide variety of baby carriers, just in time for International Babywearing Week 2009! Brands you will find:

• BabyHawk mei tai
• Ellaroo Wraps
• Ellaroo Podaegis
• Ellaroo Chinese Embroided Mei Tai
• Moby Wrap
• Storchenwiege Wraps
• Slingling Pouches
• Maya Wrap Lightly Padded Slings
• Maya Ties

This week only (September 21-28, 2009), you can get 10% off any order that contains a baby carrier! Just use promo code IBW2009 at checkout! *Your order must contain at least one baby carrier for discount to apply.*

Please be sure you are following us on twitter, facebook, and here at the blog. There will be some giveaways coming up, some great deals, and great information about babywearing! Please join us!

International Babywearing Week 2009

(My husband and son making quick work of the dinner clean-up)

We are gearing up to celebrate International Babywearing Week 2009 next week (September 21-28)! Babywearing allows you to keep your baby close. It allows you to move around the house and get things (like the mountain of laundry....) done, all without taking your eyes of your little one. It works like magic (at least for us...usually...) to wind down a fussy baby or help them to fall asleep. Wearing your baby means you don't have to haul the carseat into the grocery store. You can breeze through the airport without worrying about your stroller. You tune into your baby's needs because your baby is right there.

Next week, I will be focusing on the variety of carriers available, and hopefully answer questions you might have about babywearing. If you don't follow the blog, you'll want to be sure to do so because there may or may not be a babywearing giveaway planned! Stay tuned!

This video was created for Babywearing International as a PSA for babywearing. You can visit Babywearing International to learn more about babywearing and International Babywearing Week 2009 here!

Houston BIRTH Fair

Mark your calendars! The Houston BIRTH Fair is just around the corner! This is a free, day long event sponsored by B.I.R.T.H. (bringing information and resources to Houston) dedicated to educating families to everything related to pregnancy, birth, and beyond! I participated last year in the fashion show as a pregnant model. It was a last minute decision based on the fact that they were desperate from a lack of volunteers (because honestly, who wants to parade themselves around in front of crowds of people when you are twice your normal size, your feet are swollen, and the clothes you are being asked to wear may or may not fit?). So, below is one of the few pics I am willing to share from my modeling debut. My friend Tasha was also roped into participating as a pregnant model (actually, that's how we met...), but lucky for her, I don't have any pictures of her from the show : )

This year, I will not be revisiting my modeling days (whew!), but I will be there as a vendor! If you are in the local Houston area, I hope you'll come by the fair and visit the baby, naturally LLC booth! Here are the details:

Houston BIRTH Fair 2009

Saturday, October 3rd

11:00 AM-4:00 PM

United Way Center--50 Waugh Dr., Houston, TX 77007 (near the Heights)

for more information, visit BIRTH, or call 832-344-6060

New Product Added: Moby Wrap UV

Did you know Moby Wraps were now available with UV protection? Using the patented Rayosan™ technology by Clarient, the fabric offers an added layer of protection from the sun while maintaining the same appearance, handle, and breathability of the original Moby Wrap.

From the Moby Wrap website:

Think of the Rayosan™ process as an invisible dye. It acts like a mirror and will deflect the harmful UVA and UVB rays off the fabric. These rays are bounced back and prevented from going through the fabric and harming baby’s delicate skin. Although it is a chemical process, it was tested and passed the Oeko-Tex 100 certification process, which ensures us that it was tested for harmful substances - and passed. We share Oeko-Tex commitment to your personal safety and the support of environmentally sound processes and you can rest assured that the product you have will not harm you or your child. The dye is considered to be durable for the life or the garment. It is long lasting, but will start to gradually wash out after 30 washes or so. The Rayosan™ coated fabric’s UPF value ranges from 44-48.

I am pleased to offer the new Moby Wrap UV to you. My mother has a history of skin cancer, so products offering protection from the sun are important to me. I hope they are to you, too. To Purchase, go here.

Trunk Shows!

I have been working hard this week trying to get the store name out locally--taken business cards to several local businesses, posted on our mom's group message board, dropped samples off with my midwife, researched booths at 2 local fairs...and in addition, finally got my trunk show information posted!

What is a trunk show, you ask? Well, if you are local to the Houston area and would like to see and try out any of the products first hand, then a trunk show is for you! All you need to do is pick a date and gather some of your friends and I will bring baby, naturally LLC to you. Trunk shows are perfect for mom's groups, baby showers, Mother's Nights Out, Saturday tea, and more. There is even a discount available for hosting if your guests reach a certain dollar limit in orders!

Come find out more about baby, naturally LLC trunk show here!

Now Open: baby, naturally LLC

I have slowly been posting on all the social networking sites about the opening of my store (baby, naturally LLC), and am finally getting around to posting it here on my blog! Please do stop by if you get the chance. I'm really excited to be entering this next stage of business: being open!

Grand Opening!

Well, the day is here! I stayed up all night on Monday (rough, let me tell you...even in college, I never went more than 23 hours. This time I lasted 28, then crashed with Lincoln for his WAAAY too short nap!) getting things ready, struggling with one single, little "continue shopping" button for almost 6 hours. Luckily, the web host owner was able to help me out and all is up and running! I am so excited!

So, I wanted to share the fabulous brands you can currently find at baby, naturally LLC. I did countless hours of research, plus have personal experience with almost all of these brands, and am proud to carry each and every one of them!

• Cloth Diapers: FuzziBunz Perfect Size & One Size, Unbleached Indian Cotton Prefolds, Thirsties Fab Fitteds, Thirsties Duo Wraps, Thirsties Covers, Gro Baby One Size, Wonderwraps covers, Dream-Eze All-in-Ones, AppleCheeks
• Baby Wearing: Moby Wraps, BabyHawk mei tai carriers, Mini Moby Wraps (for kids!)
• Laundry: Jenny's Simply Clean detergent, clothespins bags (handmade!)
• Toys: coming soon!
• Apparel: coming soon!
• Gifts: Moby Swaddle Blanket

More wonderful brands will be coming soon! Several of my shipments did not make it in time for opening day, but look for them to be posted soon. I will be placing updates on new shipments here on the blog, as well as on the new baby, naturally e-mail newsletter (sign up below!).

As we grow, I will be looking to add more handmade items and expand the inventory for diapers, baby wearing, and toys. I welcome your thoughts, ideas, suggestions for what you'd like to see at baby, naturally!