Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Monday, December 16, 2013
Suppori winner AND a discount for all!
Thanks to those who entered the draw for a free Suppori baby carrier.
The winner is .... Tegan Barlow!!!
Congratulations Tegan. Please contact me so we can arrange your correct size of Suppori to be delivered to you.
The winner is .... Tegan Barlow!!!
Congratulations Tegan. Please contact me so we can arrange your correct size of Suppori to be delivered to you.
Random Sequence Generator
Here is your sequence:
1 6 2 3 9 5 8 7 4
Timestamp: 2013-12-15 22:00:44 UTC
Now, for those who didn't win, you still have a chance to have a Suppori baby carrier this summer.
Little M are giving my readers a 25% discount for THIS WEEK ONLY!
Simply choose the size and colour that you prefer and enter this code when prompted at the checkout Yvette13 and your 25% will be deducted! http://littlem.com.au/
Enjoy a fun summer :)
Thursday, December 12, 2013
An appeal to actually make a difference this Christmas - family to family.
We met another wonderful group of refugee and migrant mothers and babies today.
One baby boy stood out: he is starting to crawl, to stand, to walk.
Again.
He is two.
He is so traumatised by what he has experienced in his short life that his development has regressed.
These families come from those countries you see on the news: Syria. Iran. Sri Lanka. Afghanistan. It is easy to experience compassion fatigue and not to think about the reality of life for women and their children, just trying to do what we all try to do: raise healthy, happy children. Their breastfeeding questions, asked through interpreters, are exactly the same as I have been asked by 100s of other mothers over the years.
We learned that there is one local barrier they have to frequently deal with - Melbourne's rain. It prevents them accessing some important services because they don't have rain covers on their prams. That is the only form of transport these families have and - understandably - the are reluctant to take their little ones out in a downpour.
This Christmas, we could actually do something practical - mother to mother - that can make a difference.
Buy a universal rain cover for a pram. Something like this. And donate it. Contact me privately and I will give you the details. There are 15 mothers in this current group. They don't know I am asking this and neither do their case workers, working with little to no funding.
Next Thursday is their final gathering for the year - a Christmas break-up.
Update: Easily donate via Paypal -
One baby boy stood out: he is starting to crawl, to stand, to walk.
Again.
He is two.
He is so traumatised by what he has experienced in his short life that his development has regressed.
These families come from those countries you see on the news: Syria. Iran. Sri Lanka. Afghanistan. It is easy to experience compassion fatigue and not to think about the reality of life for women and their children, just trying to do what we all try to do: raise healthy, happy children. Their breastfeeding questions, asked through interpreters, are exactly the same as I have been asked by 100s of other mothers over the years.
We learned that there is one local barrier they have to frequently deal with - Melbourne's rain. It prevents them accessing some important services because they don't have rain covers on their prams. That is the only form of transport these families have and - understandably - the are reluctant to take their little ones out in a downpour.
This Christmas, we could actually do something practical - mother to mother - that can make a difference.
Buy a universal rain cover for a pram. Something like this. And donate it. Contact me privately and I will give you the details. There are 15 mothers in this current group. They don't know I am asking this and neither do their case workers, working with little to no funding.
Next Thursday is their final gathering for the year - a Christmas break-up.
Update: Easily donate via Paypal -
 |
| Melbourne's weather - as if they haven't had enought to deal with! |
Monday, December 9, 2013
Product Review: The Suppori Baby Carrier (and a GIVEAWAY!)
When I first saw the Suppori, I quickly realised it isn't a baby carrier as I would normally define one. This isn't a snuggly wrap for a
newborn and it isn't a place for naps on the go. What it is though, is a
support for hip carrying older babies and toddlers and that appealed to me.
As a 50 year old grandmother with chronic back,
pelvic, shoulder and neck issues – I see a chiropractor twice a week! – I need
to be very careful with how I use my body. Even five minutes of carrying
seven-month old Charlie on my hip can throw my pelvis out of line and leave me
in pain until the chiropractor or physio put it back again. So anything that
helps me avoid that gets a thumb’s up!
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| At The Toy Library |
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| At the supermarket |
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| At Spotlight |
The other appealing feature is its obvious
water-friendly design. This was going to be fine in and around some of our
favourite places to be – the beach, the local aquatic centre and the beautiful
hot springs not far from home. Wearing lycra and carrying someone else wearing
lycra on your hip is a challenge I well-remember from my days with my own
babies!
Working out which size Suppori, to order was important and I did
really well – when it arrived, I was confident I had the right fit. What I didn't count on was my daughter being just a little larger than I – the sling
we had thought to share was too small for her. Luckily, Suppori, were exhibiting
at the Pregnancy, Babies and Children’s Expo that same week and we were able to
get her fitted in person. We organised for her to get the next size up but that
turned out to be a little too big! I emailed and was told:
“We have experienced
'mid' sized people. There is approx. 5cm difference between sizes so it is
possible. With the 2L, you
could tuck the sling deep under bub getting the sling right up to her knee area
and then right up her back. This could help. Yes, it is important to get
the correct size and for those who do it is described as 'prefect' but such a
shame for the very few who don't.”
We did as suggested and Kaitlyn was able to use the carrier with
Charlie. There is a bit more of a gap between their bodies than with mine and
Charlie’s.
I love the way the Suppori, folds up to about the size of my
phone, meaning I can keep it in my handbag – our family sling library is split
between Kaitlyn’s car and mine but occasionally we make the wrong call and just
take the pram, without adding a carrier. Inevitably, Charlie doesn't want to
miss out on the action – she loves seeing what we are doing – and she ends up
in our arms. Whilst I love to carry her, my back doesn't so having the Suppori
handy means everyone is happy.
The Suppori, really came into its own at the swimming pool, and I
think water is what sets it apart from other carriers. I found it easy to get
on and off in the water, meaning we didn't need to exit the pool to do so. And
Charlie loved being in it! We spent a good two hours at the aquatic centre,
with Kaitlyn taking time out to have a spa while I walked in the warm-water
pool with Charlie happily splashing and watching everyone else!
Wearing the Suppori, correctly takes some focus – you need to
position the discreet strip in the fabric centrally over the spinal curve of
the baby and correspondingly, on your own shoulder. Swinging the baby just that
bit further round on your side takes practice and a helpful second pair of eyes
until you work it out. Once there, you can make sure the fabric is going “knee
to knee” to create a good seat and stretch the fabric right up the back: on
Charlie, it goes to around her arm-pits. With the fabric correctly cupped over
your shoulder, there is no digging in and the weight is balanced correctly – I
was not tipping my opposite hip out to counter-balance, so my spine remained
straight.
We attracted lots of interest when we had the Suppori, in action
– people wanted to know what it is and where did we get it. This was especially
so when we spent a day at the hot springs: other visitors were impressed. We
could easily go from pool to pool and safely hold her without fear she would
slip from our arms.
Not everyone found the Suppori, right for them: some of the mums
in our babywearing group were not sure it would suit. In a straight comparison
with alternatives like a ring sling, the Suppori, comes off second best –
although you can have hands-free moments, this is not a completely hands-free
carrier. The fabric does not reach as high up the baby’s back as most and it
would be completely unsuitable for a baby without good torso strength. This is
not a carrier to lull your baby off to sleep or to use for long carries. You
need to get the position right – not always easy with a wriggling child. If you
don’t get enough fabric under their bottom, you won’t get the knee-to-knee
position, key to the desired “M” shape. Some babies who are “leg-straighteners”
will need frequent adjusting. I wonder if some of the issues people have
mentioned stem from the fact this is a Japanese product, designed for a
different body shape to ours. I think the width of the seat fabric could be
extended – especially for cloth-nappy wearers like Charlie.
Overall, I think the Suppori, is a great alternative to carrying
on the hip. It is ideal in and around water and for short carries at home or
out & about. Anyone only wanting/needing to carry an older baby or toddler
occasionally will find this meets their needs. Those who practice babywearing on
a frequent or constant basis, parents with babies under six months and those
who use a carrier for more than short walks will find the Suppori won’t be for
them. As always, it comes down to different options for different
circumstances.
To enter, simply comment below why you love babywearing! Entries close midnight December 15th and a winner will be announced on Monday December 16th. Ans if you don't win, stay tuned for a great discount offer!
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Product Review: Bound By Nurture Repair Cream
At the same time, as I get older, my skin is becoming very dry, especially on my arms and hands, so I live in perpetual hope of finding just the right moisturiser. I am that woman sampling every natural hand cream at markets, shops and expos, hoping to find the holy grail.
Well, I certainly have a contender! I tried and bought some Bound By Nurture Repair Cream from a stall at the Casey Green Kids Expo (see, always on the lookout!) and straight away, I could see I liked it. Not greasy, not so transient I am scratching dry skin again 30 minutes later and no sign or reaction.
The cream is labelled "nurtures dry skin conditions. Plant-based skin care suitable for eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis.
Bound By Nurture is a small business, run by a mum about to have her second child and only via a Facebook page. They describe the product as:
Organic Repair Cream. 100ml - $15.
Our most popular cream is the Repair Cream. The Repair Cream is a rich, readily adsorbed cream which leaves the skin feeling moisturised and velvety smooth. It has been designed for all dry skin conditions and sensitive skin, from babies through to adults. It is safe for the whole family to use, and is very effective on all skin. The star ingredients used to make up this cream have been selected for their nourishing properties, including Avocado oil, Rosehip oil, Evening Primrose oil, Calendula Oil and Aloe Vera. It has a beautiful fragrance of German Chamomile Oil and Lavender Oil, however they have only been added for their therapeutic purposes!I keep the cream in my bag and that was handy when we were at the Christmas Tree Farm the other day: Melissa came into contact with the tree on her neck and shoulder as she put it in her car and came out in nasty, red welts. All I had to offer relief was this cream and it did the trick, calming her skin down!
No harsh chemicals, No Parabens, No artificial colours or fragrances.
I will be getting more of this to keep on hand and also try out The Pure Soothing Balm:
About our Pure Soothing Balm:A 98% organic balm that soothes and softens rough, dry, cracked skin and minor inflammation. With nurturing calendula oil, avocado oil, shea butter and bees wax, this balm helps to calm down redness and provide intensive moisturising. This healing and enriching balm has a Mandarin Oil scent.
It can be used for all areas of the body and even helps to soften hard skin like elbows, heals and hands. Useful for stretch marks, pregnancy, healing scars and rashes including eczema and psoriasis. Also formulated for use as a nappy rash preventative. Great for Baby's bottom! Ideal for babies to adults.
No harsh chemicals, No Parabens, No artificial colours or fragrances.
It can be used for all areas of the body and even helps to soften hard skin like elbows, heals and hands. Useful for stretch marks, pregnancy, healing scars and rashes including eczema and psoriasis. Also formulated for use as a nappy rash preventative. Great for Baby's bottom! Ideal for babies to adults.
No harsh chemicals, No Parabens, No artificial colours or fragrances.
Hoping that one works wonders on my poor, sad cuticles and maybe as a bum cream for Charlie too!
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
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