BabyEtte.Net Blog

Okay, judging this was harder than I thought, but Mike and I have gone through all of them and we’ve made our decision…

First let me say that I love, Love, LOVE hearing your babywearing stories. What I noticed everyone saying was how babywearing was a Positive experience and that it helped improve their situation. I think that is amazing for us all to consider, and that we recognize babywearing as a beneficial gift to our babies and to ourselves.

Now on to the contest.

Before I announce the winner I would like to highlight some great quotes. These jumped out as some of the funniest, wittiest, most insightful comments. I hope you’ll enjoy them too:

“Ring sling on the front, mei tai on the back…made me feel a bit like I had three heads…oh, wait…maybe ‘we’ did.” Natalie

“Babywearing allows me to get just a few more cuddles in while I take care of things around the house each evening.” Kathy

“There was silence and peace in the house…Babywearing saved my sanity.” Tristina

“He loves to hold my ears when I have him on my back.” Becky

Alright already, enough suspense. The winner of BabyEtte’s International Babywearing Week Giveaway is…

Ashley!!!!

Ashley’s story reads like a Babywearing Action/Adventure/Romance novel. What else do you call exotic locations, a band of robbers, and a heroic rescue? Okay, so she lost her wrap at Walmart and her husband made her a new one (what a guy!)…call me over-dramatic.  Congratulations, Ashley. I hope you finally get the wrap you want! ( Email me and I’ll send your G.C. to you! )

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

I couldn’t wrap this up (pardon the pun) without calling attention to two lovely stories that were absolutely heartbreaking.

Liesl told about her 4.6lb preemie and how a wrap allowed her to develop and stay protected at the same time. Leah brought tears to my eyes with her story of comforting a friend’s child during a traumatic loss…If you have not read either of these, then go back and look at them.

I want to thank you both. And more than that, I’m giving each of you a $20 gift certificate for sharing your stories with us. (Please EMAIL me your address and I’ll send it off to you!)

Thank you to EVERYONE who participated in BabyEtte’s International Babywearing Giveaway contest. For all who participated, please remember to check THIS blog post for a coupon code that you can use in my shop, worth 15% off your order.

And keep wearing your babies!!

So I haven’t been all that active posting on this here blog. I’ve been more or less distracted by family life and running BabyEtte. Blogging is something I did much more in my past life.

But not this week. This week is International Babywearing Week and in light of all the drama surrounding the industry, Mike and I have decided to stop messing around and just blog about it!

Ok, let’s be honest here, we all know this Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recall is misguided. We all want safe items for our children. Now thanks to the data-collecting efforts of the Baby Carrier Industry Alliance (BCIA), we know that baby carriers are one of the safest things you can buy for your baby.

I am all for safety standards. As a member of the American Society for Testing & Materials (ASTM), I am glad to be involved in the development of voluntary sling standards that will be the basis for the mandatory ones coming down the pike. When it comes to a vote I will be in favor of the standards with the hope of tweaking them before they become mandatory (more on this later, see below).

Confused yet? No, really, this is all connected. The BCIA is working with the ASTM to create the standard, which will be making their recommendations to the CPSC. And the CPSC is jumping the gun by forcing a recall on a carrier maker. What? Too many acronyms? Welcome to my nightmare! You can read more details in this summary HERE.

If the over-regulation of the babywearing industry continues, all you will have to choose from is mass-produced carriers from monolithic corporations. As a parent, this hacks me off. As an owner of a very small, yet growing babywearing business, this breaks my heart.

You see, this is personal for me. Here’s a little bit of background. My husband and I run this business. He is an accountant so he does the books and taxes, and is pretty handy with a serger. He’s been wearing our babies for almost 11 years. He’s a hands-on Daddy to our 4 growing girls and has the arms to prove it. Sorry, I’m getting off topic…

My very first sling was an Over the Shoulder Baby Holder. I loved that they made slings so available, but I really preferred unpadded rails and an open tail. So I sewed my own basic black sling…the original LBD! Then I sewed some for friends and family, but resisted going into business for various reasons.

When the time was right we started our business, named BabyEtte, after the nickname our girls had for our youngest, Vignette. I’m happy that although she’s no longer a “baby” (she turned two today!!) her nickname lives on!

When we finally took the plunge into the world of e-commerce we did not take out a small business loan or fund it with debt. We are proud that our carriers are handmade by babywearers at home with babies We have grown slowly because of this, but we are growing! It seems our super-awesome customers are spreading the word, and who knows where we could go if we are given the chance to continue growing?

Not to get all patriotic on you, but isn’t this what the American dream is all about? That through hard work, determination, and personal sacrifice, you can dare to hope and become successful? That you can create a better life for your family?

Now my American dream is being threatened. No, this is not too dramatic of a statement. If I am required to spend upwards of $2000 to have each and every fabric I use tested by independent labs, and THEN have every style of carrier I make tested further, there is no way I can stay in business. Just take a look around my shop and count all of the carriers I offer (hehe! I got you into my shop! ) Just imagine the costs. We are a small, family-run business. I am not paying stock holders or funding exotic vacations with this business. I am feeding and clothing my family. And I am not alone. There are many businesses just like mine who will no longer be in business. We are ALL at risk.

In addition, this is threatening your fundamental rights as consumers and parents. Your right to evaluate a product, read about it, research it, and make an informed choice. I trust you to make that choice, why doesn’t your government?

Speaking of the government, wasn’t the CPSC given increased power partly as a response to parents who stood up and demanded to be protected against truly dangerous toy manufacturers (mostly overseas and unscrupulous)? What started as a good thing has recently spiraled out of control. It seems the new leadership wants to make a name for itself, or maybe they’re just trying to justify their bloated budget…

And the CPSC’s Press Secretary Mr. Wolfson can tweet all he wants that “the CPSC respects babywearing” and that “there is not a ban on all slings or carriers”. That, my friends is a carefully-worded statement meant to calm everyone down. He specifically inserted the word “all” and curiously left out the word “yet”.

Now it is your turn. If you are concerned about over-regulation, particularly of the Babywearing Industry, it is time for you to Stand Up. Stand up and demand that the CPSC stop using your taxpayer money to take away your right to choose which carrier you want for your baby. Demand that they stop threatening, attacking, and bullying babywearing manufacturers into frivolous recalls that bankrupt families and physically destroy perfectly good carriers. Demand that they change the mandatory standards process to allow for small businesses to continue.

Go HERE for a list of legislators that are directly involved in this issue. Most specifically,  Barbara Boxer, Claire McCaskill, Tom Udall, and Jim Demint (Senators on the CPSC oversight committee). Call them. Email them. Tell them to rein in the CPSC.

The phrase that keeps repeating in my mind over and over is this:

Back Off Babywearing

I wanted to do something special for International Babywearing week and thought “Hey! Other bloggers have given away my slings and people seem to love it…why don’t I do that myself!?”  I know, I’m pretty quick on the uptake. Aaaand so, I am very excited to be doing my very own giveaway!

Mental aside: When I typed this up earlier today I started bunny-trailing and getting all riled up about the CPSC, Sling Standards, and Parent’s Rights…it went on for quite a while. My children came and went. Mike looked on in dismay and eventually fed them. There is a reason why I rarely blog . I have a lot to say. My dear husband is cooler-headed than I and calmly requested that the rant and the giveaway be separate posts. I agreed.

So if you really want to read all that and find out more than you ever wanted to know about my views on these matters, you can read it once it’s published later this evening. [/rant]

But for now, I’m going to give away a Gift Certificate worth $44!!!! To win it you must leave the best story or sentiment about babywearing. Because babywearing is what it’s all about. It’s where it’s at. It’s the Bees’ Knees.  You don’t have to write a novel (not everyone is as prolific as I) perhaps just a paragraph or so?…down there…in the comments section.

Contest will end Friday at 5pm. And while I have been blogging for years about personal family stuff, I’ve never done a giveaway before. So forgive my lack of knowledge of all things Mr. Linky, or Random.org-ish. I’m going to do this the old fashioned way: put the kids to bed, kick up my heels, and read through your comments with a glass of wine…cry, sip, laugh…and then pick the one I like best!

That’s it! No linking, no gymnastics, no contortions. Just me choosing. Because it’s my blog. P.S. The $44 will cover the cost of a BabyBasics Superwide ring sling, or a cotton gauze wrap. I also give you permission to use it toward a more expensive item if you desire. You can roam around my store HERE.

And if you are just too darn eager to wait for Friday, you can check out the fab Mrs. Wright’s blog over HERE for a 15% off discount code. Thanks, Tristina, for the lovely post!

Good luck!

There have been some improvements and changes here at BabyEtte. First of all I’ve started placing the new Logo Tag at the bottom of the tail on the ring slings. I’d always placed them on the underside of the shoulder pleats, thinking that I didn’t want the label distracting to one of my favorite parts of the pleated shoulder… the decorative stitching.

But some customers let me know that they really like to be able to show their friends the tag, as they were always being asked where they could get a lovely, comfortable sling like that!

So, as you can see in the photo, the new tag is very happy down there with the pretty hem.

The Water Baby mesh ring slings have also been improved. They are now being made with medium sized rings rather than the large ones I use on all my other ring slings. I find that the smaller rings grip and hold the rather slick water mesh better so there is less need to adjust.

I’ve also started giving them a concave, “fishtail” hem, which I think looks really pretty on the tail of the sling. BabyEtte WaterBaby mesh slings and wraps are going fast right now, the colors are great, but please don’t hesitate to request a specific color if I don’t have it… I’ll order it for you.

Another improvement has been the new BabyEtte Logo. NATHAN  RUNDA was awesome enough to design this logo after I described the concept of a sling on a heart. I sketched a rough image and he made it perfect!

Then, Rita at SQUIER on Etsy created a couple of vinyl window stickers for my van, using the logo. She’s also designing a fabulous banner package for the EZ-up tent we’ll be using at the markets this summer. I’ll post pics from the markets as they happen.

I just made a new carrier last night. It’s called a Podegi. It is such a simple and comfortable way to carry baby!

I was given some basic dimensions to go by and tips for fabric types (Thanks Jami!) but otherwise I just threw it together, no pattern or tutorial.

It’s 3 – 21 x 24 ” rectangles (1 duckcloth, 2 fashion fabric) with 8″ x 2yd straps anchored to the duck cloth with large X-box stitching. This is sandwiched between the fashion fabric so you don’t see the X-boxes. All is topstitched for a finished look.

Note: This would be great for a smaller baby, but I think from now on I’ll make it 21″ x 30″. I’d rather have more fabric hanging down under her bottom than you see in the photos. I love the wide straps though!

My 10yo is wearing my 4yo with the pretty brown floral side showing, and then my Husband is wearing Vignette (19mo, 30 lbs) with the more masculine tan side showing while he prepares the grill for the first cookout of the year.

This is certainly something that I’m planning to have in the shop at some point. My mind is already swirling with fabric possibilities! Cotton print reversing to solid… Linen reversing to cotton…Dupioni reversing to Brocade?

I’d love to hear your ideas!

My internet friend Jami at Babywearingvideos.com made a great video showing a black WaterBaby ring sling by BabyEtte in the pool.

Jami is attempting to make and share videos of every babywearing position in every kind of carrier. Way to go Jami!

You can find some of her videos on my instructions page here.

This was fun to put together.

13 cotton gauze wraps all packaged up pretty and sent off to Spain. I love the colors the shop owner chose! It seems that wraps a vastly more popular in Europe, I’d really like to see them become more so here.

If she posts a photo of them displayed in her shop, I”ll be sure to link it.

I love the fact that babywearing can be something that any Mama can do. You don’t have to have a fancy carrier or super expensive European wrap to carry your baby in many different ways.

Now, don’t get me wrong… I love all the lovely, well made carriers out there, especially Handmade ones   But I feel that while every Mama should have access to these great carriers, they should also know that they can wear their baby safely and securely using a simple piece of cloth.

I’m wearing Vignette in a 3.5 yard piece of fabric that I’ve tied in a babywearing slipknot. If you’re going to buy some fabric, I suggest finding some “homespun” at the fabric store, just ask a store-person where to find it.

I got the inspiration from THIS great blog post showing how to tie a bedsheet into a sling. Yes, it’s true!

Here is a video showing how to tie this:

TYING A REBOZO SLIPKNOT

And here is another one from a different angle that is very thorough.

SLIP KNOT WITH A WRAP

Let me know if you try this!

Why Super Wide slings?
I make BabyEtte slings the way I like them, and I like my slings wide, safe, and pretty.

I have found that a wide sling is best for versatility. Ever since that time my Husband pulled the fabric up over the shoulders of my 2nd daughter while in a narrow sling, and her bottom popped out, he refuses to wear a narrow sling. A wide sling also helps if your baby is a “leaner”.
This is why most of my slings are Super Wide.

Isn’t that too much fabric for a tiny baby?
Actually, it’s not. I’ve worn my newborns in 44 inch slings for as long as I’ve been making slings. Just tuck some of the fabric under baby (between you and her) and then let the rest of the fabric gather evenly over her body as you tighten the fabric by pulling on the tail.
The key to this is proper tightening of the rails.

How do I tighten the rails?
The rails (edges) of the sling are tightened by pulling on the rails of the tail. Pulling on the tail edge on the inside of your body will tighten the top rail of the sling, pulling on the outside tail edge will tighten the bottom rail of the sling.
Pulling on the whole tail evenly will tighten the whole sling evenly. Practice this and you will become a pro in no time!

As a mama who has worn her babies for 10 years, and sewn my own slings for almost that long, I can’t say enough good things about Babywearing.
There are many good sling companies out there, and most of the ones designed by babywearing Mamas (rather than some engineer) are wonderful! Many of the differences that do exist are in style. So I say look around, and find your style. Embrace your style!

I feel strongly that a sling should be beautiful. You won’t find licensed characters or juvenile prints here. Your sling is going to cover up most of your outfit (which is good when your shirt has been used as a hanky…I know, it happens) so it should be a style that you would wear anyway.

Your Sling will have the BabyEtte Tag stitched on the back of the bottom of the tail. That way people will admire you, your baby, and your lovely sling… not the tag. It’s all about you, my friend!

Being born and raised in the Seattle area, it was very easy to take the surroundings for granted. I have to say that I was totally ignorant of the loveliness around me. When My Husband, 2 little girls, and I were about to move to the Midwest, so many people couldn’t see how we could leave all of the beauty, the mountains, and the ‘SOUND’ for goodness sake!

We just scoffed and went happily on our way to Indiana, giving the Puget Sound nary a thought. Now, 6 years later, I must admit that I miss the abundant flora of the area, the mountains peeking up from almost every direction, and, yes, even the Sound.

Another thing I miss is the pro-parenting culture, and by that I mean my kind of parenting. Call it Alternative, or Attachment Parenting…even Crunchy if you must. But whatever you call it, it is much more accepted and normal in Seattle than where I am now.

When we were expecting our first baby, I read everything I could get my hands on about pregnancy, birth, and parenting. I was thrilled that there were shops in the area that offered herbs, birth videos, “I was Born at Home” onesies, wooden toys, and slings! My husband and I would walk through quaint shopping districts, popping in and out of stores and finding so many great things that supported this parenting style of ours. Oh, and the Coffee! The coffee was abundant and strong!! But I digress…that is another subject altogether.

We joined La Leche League. We were charter members and eventually co-led an Attachment Parenting International group. We didn’t just hold our baby, we WORE our baby! We had the chance to use many different slings—padded shoulders, pleated shoulders, padded and un-padded rails, open and sewn tails—so many combinations!

During all this time I started to get an idea of what I liked and disliked in a sling. One thing I didn’t care for was the fabric. I thought, ‘If I’m not going to wear a dress covered in little bows or puppies, why would I wear a sling covered in them?’ So I decided to sew my own sling, and I picked solid black cotton so it would go with any outfit. And thus, the first LBD (little black dress) sling was born!

Now I’m here in a very different part of the country, and my family is a bit bigger, but my parenting style is still pretty much the same. And, since I opened my online Etsy shop last year, I’ve been able to offer a bit of that cool, eclectic shopping district to my customers in whatever part of the country (or world!) they happen to live. But most importantly, I get to help baby-wearing Mamas keep their little ones closer to their heart.