Connecta Baby Carriers - 4 new fabrics in stock

The Connecta Baby Carrier is a beautifully designed UK-made product, and we are delighted to have the Connecta in stock at Big Mama Slings. Created by a talented mother of six, the Connecta blends modern features such as strong buckles and webbing with the ancient Mei Tai design, giving a carrier that is equally comfortable on the back or the front. Available in Blue Gothic Rose, Plain Black, Apples & Pears and Lacework.

Organic Maya Wrap Baby Ring Slings now in stock

Maya Wrap Baby Slings are now available in Azo-free, organic fabrics! We are delighted to offer two fabrics, both in a size medium. Sea Glass - Soothing Aqua with a print inspired by the native beauty of the California redwood coast. Reverses to solid aqua. Lollipop - Bright print on a lime background. Reverses to solid lime. Both designs are perfect for summer.

Top 5 Breastfeeding Articles

Getting in to this top 5 lark as we are now over half way through BFAW. Today we have the top breastfeeding articles. According to us. Obviously ;-) There are gazillions of articles on breastfeeding online and lots of them are fabulous so to narrow it down to five is no mean feat. These are (just some of) the ones which have that "WOW" factor - that hit you between the eyes with facts showing just how marvellous breastfeeding is or make you look at the issue in a different way.

Suck on This - published in The Ecologist magazine in 2006 this article goes deep into the issue of infant feeding and describes the factors that conspire to stop women breastfeeding, including the medicalised birth process, unscrupulous actions of the formula companies and poor support from health professionals. Most shocking are the facts about formula milk and its effects on babies. A long but worthwhile read.

101 Reasons to Breastfeed Your Child - at ProMom. Lots of reasons (well 101 actually!) why breastfeeding is so great with references to back them up.

Straight Talk About Real Babies - written by Ann Calandro IBCLC. A fantastic insight into how brainwashed we are as a society, how we expect babies to behave a certain way and how these unrealistic expectations so often mean the end of breastfeeding.

Watch Your Language - written by Daine Wiessinger, IBCLC. A brilliant brilliant article which explains how the language used to talk about breastfeeding is important if it is to become normal and not just a nice extra.

There is a smart drug - it's called breastmilk - written by Johann Hari and published in the Independent last year. Another look at why women in this country don't breastfeed and mentions the appalling actions of big business, specifically Nestle.

Okay so it's blatant cheating but I'm going to slip this one in at the end. If this were a list of shampoos this would be 'the sciency bit' - not a light read by any means but the facts are staggering.

Top 5 Breastfeeding Books

Choosing books on any parenting topic is pretty confusing - not only are there hundreds but the advice in them is often quite different and sometimes even totally contradictory. A good book on breastfeeding is a great resource so here are 5 that get the thumbs up from us.

The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding - this book from La Leche League, the international breastfeeding organisation, was first published in 1958 and is now in its 7th revised edition. It is full of accurate, up-to-date information on all aspects of breastfeeding and other related issues such as weaning, starting solids, sleep and loving guidance.

The Food of Love: your formula for successful breastfeeding - written by Kate Evans, a mother, author, cartoonist and active environmental campaigner. This light-hearted, witty book contains all the latest research but is easy to read and is illustrated with beautiful cartoons.

Breastfeeding Made Simple: Seven Natural Laws for Nursing Mothers - written by Kathleen Kendall-Tackett and Nancy Mohrbacher, both Lactation Consultants. Breastfeeding is explained by using seven 'natural laws' to help you get breastfeeding off to a good start and overcome any difficulties.

How Weaning Happens - written by Diane Bengson this thorough look at weaning from different perspectives explains how it doesn't have to be a stressful process for mother or child.

The Politics of Breastfeeding - written by Gabrielle Palmer this fascinating and anger-inspiring book takes a look at the reasons behind the poor breastfeeding rates in western society and shows the influence of big business in turning us into a bottlefeeding culture and the effects on babies around the world.

Top 5 Breastfeeding Blogs

With the world going blogging crazy there are blogs on just about every topic imaginable, including breastfeeding. A great way to both keep up-to-date with issues that are relevant to breastfeeding and read the opinions and views of breastfeeding bloggers (or should that be blogging breastfeeders??) who are vocal about supporting the breastfeeding cause. Well-written, often inspirational and sometimes downright funny - here are some we really like.

One Of Those Women - written by Morgan Gallagher, chairperson of 'Nursing Matters', a non-profit making, voluntary organisation that advocates for breastfeeding babies. 'Fighting for informed, equal choices in infant feeding. Babies are born to nurse at their mother's breast: fighting to make sure their mothers have a choice in allowing this for as long as they both mutually desire it. Fighting to keep formula fed infants as safe as possible. Feeding your child is your personal choice: let's make sure it's _your_ choice, not everyone else's.'

Lactivist - written by Lisa Cole and is the offspring of lactivist.co.uk which sells clothing and accessories to promote breastfeeding. The lactivist blog 'is a centre for all like minded lactivists. It is a space for people who promote breastfeeding in anyway to share information and news.'

Blacktating - written by Elita, a mum in Florida. 'Breastfeeding news and views from a mom of colour'

The Lactivist - written by 'a mainstream WAHM turned slightly crunchy by my two little munchins' and is the companion to The Lactivist Store. It is 'aimed at supporting nursing moms by promoting issues like extended breastfeeding, breastfeeding in public and human milk bank donation. The Lactivist is a little on the irreverent side, but we aim to educate through humor and we hope that you'll laugh with us'.

Reluctant Lactivist - written by a mum who says: While I have always promoted breastfeeding in my own personal way, I never wanted to become a lactation activist. Read on to learn why I am now the Reluctant Lactivist

You will find links within these blogs to lots of other breastfeeding related blogs.

Don't forget our competition!

Top 5 Breastfeeding Websites

There are lots of websites about breastfeeding, some better than others. Here are 5 we think are worth a look.

Kellymom - full of evidence-based information on breastfeeding and parenting. It is run by Kelly Bonyata, a member of the International Board of Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC). A great site which will answer most breastfeeding questions.

La Leche League - the website of LLLGB, the UK branch of La Leche League International (LLLI), the Breastfeeding Organisation which 'helps mothers to breastfeed through mother-to-mother support, encouragement, information and education, and to promote a better understanding of breastfeeding as an important element in the healthy development of the baby and mother.' There are links to LLLI's vast online library of breastfeeding and parenting information and also to the list of LLL groups throughout the country and contact numbers for local LLL leaders and the national helpline for breastfeeding help and support.

Dr Jack Newman - website of the Canadian Paediatrician with information on a wide range of breastfeeding topics as both printable information sheets and video clips - great for those issues when you really need to 'see'.

The Breastfeeding Network - the Scottish charity which is an 'independent source of breastfeeding information and support for breastfeeding women'. Website contains lots of useful information in the BfN leaflets and is a wonderful source of information on drugs and breastfeeding.

Kathy Dettwyler - a slightly different look at breastfeeding. Kathy Dettwyler examines aspects of breastfeeding, from weaning and thumb sucking to cancer and fertility, from a cultural and anthropological point of view. An interesting read.

Don't forget our Competition - entries in by midnight on 16th May. Top 5 number 3 tomorrow.....

Top 5 Slings To Breastfeed In

Our first Top 5 of Breastfeeding Awareness Week is the top 5 slings to breastfeed in. We know how great it is to be able to breastfeed on-the-go and nothing helps you do that like a good sling. Here are 5 slings that we think are great for breastfeeding in.

Storchenwiege Ring Sling - ring slings and wraps are arguably the easiest style of sling to breastfeed in and with the Storchenwiege Ring Sling you get the best of both worlds - the supportiveness of the Storchenwiege woven wrap fabric and the ease of a ring sling. You could win one in our BFAW competition - check out the previous blog post for details.

Moby Wrap - the Moby is a supportive Stretchy wrap and is wide enough to be able to form a decent pouch to lie your baby in to breastfeed.

Calin Bleu Gauze Wraparound - this wrap is thin and light which makes it easy to manipulate and also less bulky. The booklet that comes with it is very clear and shows step-by-step instructions how to get your baby into a position to breastfeed.

Maya Lightly Padded Ring Sling - this is a great sling for novice ring slingers. The light padding in the shoulder makes it easy to position and very comfortable while the light woven fabric adjusts easily through the rings.

Babyhawk Mei Tai Carrier - the Babyhawk is a smaller bodied Mei Tai so is great for newborns as well as older babies and toddlers. Easy to loosen the straps and lower your baby into a position to breastfeed then tighten the sling back up afterwards.

Check back tomorrow for another Top 5!

Breastfeeding Awareness Week

Breastfeeding Awareness Week 2009 runs from 10th - 16th May. Here at Big Mama Slings we love to support and promote breastfeeding so to celebrate BFAW we are having a week of Top 5's on the blog all related to breastfeeding.

We've also got a competition. Send your best breastfeeding in a sling photo to help@bigmamaslings.co.uk with BFAW Comp in the subject line for a chance to win a Storchenwiege Ring Sling of your choice. The two runners-up each get a pair of Huggalugs Leg Warmers.