Real Nappy Week at Big Mama Slings

We love cloth nappies here at BMS, so much so that Big Mama is now stocking them alongside the wonderful range of slings and other bits and bobs. To celebrate Real Nappy Week this week (27th April - 3rd May 2009) Big Mama is offering a fab 10% discount on the nappies making them even better value.

The Pop-In from Close Parent is a unique hybrid nappy system; a cross between an all-in-one nappy and a two-part system, the inner soaker poppers inside the outer shell so that it comes apart for easy washing and drying and cleverly goes back together again ready to simply fasten around your baby. These are birth-to-potty nappies meaning you only need one size. There are three sets of poppers on the front of the nappy enabling you to adjust the size and the stretchy Aplix tabs mean a snug, reliable and comfortable fit at any age.

The outer is a soft brushed fabric and the pop-in soaker is made from a gorgeously soft bamboo fabric which is super absorbent, more so than the same thickness of cotton making these nappies less bulky. The soaker is shaped to provide the most absorbency where it is needed and containment is provided by the elasticated back and double-elasticated leg gusset. They are completely natural with no gels or chemicals to absorb liquid, just the natural absorbency of the cloth, which makes them soft and kind on your baby's skin.

We have these lovely nappies available in four multi-pack options: the multi-pack which contains 10 complete nappies, 3 Dri Night boosters, a small tote bag and one roll of flushable liners, and the multi saver pack which contains 20 complete nappies, 6 Dri Night boosters, 2 small tote bags and two rolls of flushable liners. Both of these options can be upgraded to the Deluxe version which also includes an Accessory pack of 10 rolls of flushable liners, one medium tote bag, one large tote bag and 10 washable bamboo wipes. The nappies are in 5 gorgeous unisex colours - Duck Egg, Pistachio, Pumpkin, Coconut and Custard - if you would like your nappies all in one colour you can make a note of which one at checkout.

As if that isn't enough we also have 10% off both Babylegs and Huggalugs for RNW. Not only do these fun, funky and gorgeous leg warmers have serious cute factor they are also very practical. We think they go very well with cloth nappies because they make nappy changes much simpler and quicker and are easier when potty training. We love them for lots of other reasons too - they cover the gap between trousers and socks that tends to appear when your baby is in a sling, sun protection for exposed delicate skin, extra warmth under trousers when it's really cold, provide padding for the knees of crawling babies....really the list is endless! Great for presents for the babies of your friends and available in a huge range of colours to compliment all your childs outfits - with a 10% discount, what you are waiting for!

Happy Real Nappy Week from all at Big Mama Slings!

Chocolate Close Baby Carrier Now In

The very popular Close Baby Carrier is fully restocked including a new colour. It is now available in yummy Chocolate (right) as well as Charcoal, Red, Pistachio, Natural and Olive.

The Close Baby Carrier looks like a Stretchy Wrap and it carries a baby in the same supportive and comfortable position. However, the fabric is threaded through rings enabling the wearer to leave it tied and simply slip it over your head and tighten it much like a ring sling.

Restocked! Angelpack LX, Babyhawk and Moby Wraparounds

We are now restocked with Angelpack LX in some lovely fabrics which are perfect for summer. The Angelpack is a soft lightweight carrier while still being very comfortable and supportive. Suitable from 3 months, it has a longer body than some other soft carriers making it a good choice for taller and older babies.

The very popular Babyhawk Mei Tai is also in stock in some fun and funky prints. Suitable from birth, the fold down headrest makes it equally suitable for small babies who frequently fall asleep in a carrier and older babies who need their back supported but like to be carried with their arms out.

Also fully restocked are all 14 colours of the Moby Wraparound. Often listed as a budget sling due to its exceptional value for money, the Moby is in no way inferior to the more expensive stretchy wraparounds. Its' no-frills appearance and large range of gender neutral colours make it a great choice for dads (we know how fussy they can be about anything too pretty or feminine!), anyone who likes their slings plain and it is also one of the thicker and more supportive stretchies so great for chunkier babies who can outgrow a stretchy wrap too quickly. For people who like a bit of detail or something prettier the Moby D is also in stock in 6 lovely colour options including some with stunning silk panels. And anyone who likes totally natural fabrics and a bit of luxury will love the Moby Organic Wrap made of OKO-certified organic cotton. In stock in two colours - Celery (a subtle pale green) and the divine Eggplant (above) - you'll have to be quick though, these fly out!

Milk on the Move!

The ability to breastfeed on-the-go and be hands-free while doing it is very useful, especially if you have older children and there are times when you have to leave the house to do the school run or get to an appointment and your baby wants to be fed. It is certainly possible to breastfeed in any sling although some will be easier than others depending on the age of the baby. Breastfeeding in a sling or carrier is a skill that some people find easy to master and others take a while to get the hang of. There are almost an infinite number of ways to breastfeed in a sling as sling users adapt instructions to suit them and their baby, some tweaks are very minor others quite major. Because of this there are lots of photo and video instructions on the web and it would therefore be impossible to list them all but here are a few of the ones we think are comprehensive and easy to follow. These videos and photo instructions make it look very easy but don't worry if you don't get the hang of it first time, it can take a bit of practice, but is well worth the time. Sections with links to instructions are in italics.

Newborn/Very Young Baby
Arguably the easiest slings in which to breastfeed a small baby are either Ring Slings or Wraparounds although there are bound to be plenty of people who breastfeed in pouches or soft carriers from birth.

With a Ring Sling you can just use a modified version of the basic cradle carry. Everyone develops their own method but the advice (at least while learning) is normally to latch your baby on first then tighten the sling around them so they are supported. You may find you have to support your babies head with your arm.

We like this video from Darien, creator of the Zolowear Ring Sling, which shows the cradle carry with a newborn and how it could be used to breastfeed. Another fantastic video is this one which shows how to move a newborn from an upright tummy-to-tummy hold into the breastfeeding position - especially useful for babies who suffer with colic or reflux and are happier being carried upright.

The principle of feeding in a Pouch is exactly the same as in a ring sling except, as pouches are not as adjustable as a ring sling it is important to make sure your pouch fits very well so as to support your baby in the right position to breastfeed.

Wraparound slings are the most versatile of all and as a result the sling can be tweaked so that you and your baby are in a comfortable postition to feed on the go. There are two types of wraparound slings - stretchy wraps, which are usually tied before putting the baby in, and woven wraps. It is possible to breastfeed in both types although different people may have a preference for one or the other. With a young baby most people breastfeed in the cradle position which uses the normal tying method for a stretchy wrap and either the Front Wrap Cross Carry (FWCC) or the Front Cross Carry (FCC) in a long woven wrap. The cradle carry in a short wrap (Rebozo) is a one shouldered carry so is more like a cradle carry in a ring sling.

We have found two good videos (although there are lots more) showing breastfeeding positions for a newborn in a stretchy wrap - one which uses the simple FCC and where the wrap is put on first, and one where the wrap is tied around the baby in the FWCC.

For a woven wrap two of the best videos we have seen show a newborn in the FWCC and also a slightly older baby in the FCC. We can't leave out these great photo instructions from Calin Bleu showing step-by-step how to breastfeed in a long wrap.

Breastfeeding a young baby in a soft carrier is possible in an upright position just as it is for an older baby. Sometimes all that is necessary is to loosen the sling to jiggle your baby down to the right level then re-tighten the sling when they have finished feeding.

Kelley, designer of the Kozy Mei Tai, shows it is possible to feed both a newborn and an older baby.

Older baby
Depending on how big your baby or toddler is, it may be possible to simple modify the young baby positions. A big baby or toddler will possibly be too long to be fed in the cradle position so an upright position may be easier. A Ring Sling could be used in a hip carry or tummy to tummy and loosened to lower your child into position. A wrap tied in a standard FWCC or FCC can also be loosened by un-tying the knot, gently jiggling your child down to the right position and re-tying. Once they have finished feeding a bounce and a tug on the wrap can tighten the sling up again. A Mei Tai or Buckle Carrier can also be loosened in the same way. Hip Carriers also allow breastfeeding with older babies.

A petite older baby may still be able to breastfeed in the cradle position in a Ring Sling, as shown here by Darien or for a bigger baby a hip carry may be more suitable.

Have you found some online instructions that helped you breastfeed in a sling? Do you have any tips to share? If so, do email (put "Blog" in the title of your email) and let us know and they may be added to the blog.