I totally get it. The idea is to have the comfort, support, safety, and cuddliness of a wrap, but easier to learn and faster to put on. I think this carrier successfully does all of these things, though it does lose a few wrap-qualities along the way.
The Baby Nest allows you to do a very well-supported and comfortable carry, with 2-3 layers of fabric over the baby, but it is not quite as intimidating as one huge 15-foot length of fabric…as they say, it’s a wrap-less wrap. Instead, it consists of 3 loops, two of which are already crossed together and the third, which is adjustable.
Advantages:
–the material!! This is the softest, greatest-feeling carrier, so very delicious to wear! It’s got just the right amount of stretch, less stretch than a Moby or a Sleepywrap.
–stays off the floor. One of the annoying things about wrapping is getting set up without dragging the ends of the fabric on the floor–or worse, adirty/wet/slushy parking lot. No such problem with the Baby Nest.
–The adjustable belt layer also has a pocket! Slip a diaper and some wipes in there, maybe your wallet, and that’s all you need to carry for a quick trip into a store.
–All the advantages of babywearing are here. Baby gets physical comfort and mental stimulation, while parent gets the use of both hands while still cuddling baby, plus easy exercise.
Disadvantages:
–Though it is easier to learn than a wrap, it is less adjustable than a wrap and you need to get the right size for you–and this can change as the mama loses baby weight and the baby grows. But because this is a stretchy fabric, that might not be too big of a deal.
–The number of carries you can do is limited. The carrier must be put on first, and then the baby put in it. I can’t imagine doing a back carry on my own withthis carrier; it would definitely take two people. The package also shows a forward-facing-out front carry, which is not something I recommend.
–The packaging claims the carrier is good for birth-35 lbs. I would disagree. In general, a stretchy fabric is less comfortable/useful as the carried one gets bigger. I tried it with my 30-lb 2 year old, and it was not supportive enough for me. But I can’t wait to use it with this next baby in May!
You can purchase the My Baby Nest baby sling at The Wardrobe in Hunt Valley.
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Are you looking for hip baby products at great prices? Check out Baby Steals- a deal of the day site. Basically, every weekday they post one product (sometimes in various styles, sizes, and colors) that is reduced by 50% at least (sometimes more). They are usually overstocks from past seasons, but, It is always trendy baby gear that “in the know” moms want like BabyLegs, Bical Grippers, Peanut Shell baby slings, various brands of cloth diapers, diaper bags, etc. One more reason why we love shopping with Baby Steals is the great shipping prices. Go read their FAQ section for more details.
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I know you have been there. You are in a public restroom and about to change a diaper, and feel so bad for your baby as you have to lay them down on a cold, hard surface to change their diaper with only a thin, flimsy changing pad between them and the table. Or you are in your home and need to change a diaper, you don’t want to go all the way upstairs to the changing table, but want something comfortable for baby to lay on while you do the deed. Well, now with The Plush Pad from Ah Goo Baby, you will have a soft and cozy place to change your little one.But, this is more then a soft and cozy changing pad! It has memory foam in the changing area to contour to the baby’s body while being changed. The plush minkee fabric is waterproof, but, it is also machine washable, so just zip out the inner pillow and wash! It is well constructed and high in quality, the zipper was concealed, but, easy to find and to remove the memory foam inner pillow. There is even a cover over the memory foam that can be unzipped and washed…and you never know what might happen when the diaper change from hell might come along- it’s best if everything is machine washable!
For quick changes it is easy to roll up and toss into a diaper bag, with the rolled up dimensions being a 3 inch by 10 inch cylinder. It also has elastic loops to keep it rolled up when not in use.
Ah Goo Baby offers several fashionable fabric choices in hip designer prints, so you will definitely find one that matches your style and your diaper bag.
Other uses include: a soft place for a baby to nap or have tummy time. I could also see a child wanted to snuggle with it or use it as an extra pillow (after the diaper days have past). My daughter was using this as a baby sized yoga mat while doing her downward dogs and also wanted to take it to bed with her because it was so soft and comfy to lay on. The Plush Pad is all luxury and function, which makes for great value and who could ask for more?
Use coupon code BM123 for 15% off expires 12/31/08.
Special Beginnings Birth and Women’s Center will host its fall Natural Baby and Child Fair, Sunday, November 16 from 10 am to 4 pm. Local vendors will be on hand to offer their goods, just in time for the holiday season. Â It’s also a great opportunity to check out Special Beginnings and its array of services.Â
The current list of vendors includes:
- Alyhas Alternatives
- Birth Diva
- Kaylala
- Usborne Books at Home
- P&D Woodcrafts Etc.Â
- Bediboo
- Daniel Creations
- La Leche League
- Music Together Chesapeake
- Peechee Neric Â
You’ll be able to find the following products and services:
- Wooden Toys
- BabyLegs
- Great Books for Kids
- Natural, Handmade Body Care Products
- Cloth Diapers
- Baby Carriers
- Breastfeeding Supplies
- Bellycasting Kits
- Doula Services
- Bradley Childbirth Classes
- Pregnancy and Birth Photography
- Soft Organic Toys
- Music for Young Children
- Seated Massage
Don’t forget to visit the Special Beginnings Breastfeeding Boutique, which will be open during the Fair!  There will be boxes at the door for donations to Arden House, a domestic violence shelter for women and their children. Items needed include new clothes, toiletries, pantry items, new toys, gift cards, etc.
Â
Special Beginnings is located at 1454 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd, Arnold, MD Â 21012.
For more information, contact naturalbabyfair@yahoo.com. ]]>
ICAN of Baltimore has been around for awhile. They are a grassroots organization that supports women and families through all areas related to Cesarean births. They have monthly meetings and this month’s is a good one for all pregnant mamas, or those just curious about a future birth, or have had a c-section in the past. The topic this month is Meet the Doulas, Saturday, November 8th, 2008 10:30 A.M. at St. Anthony’s of Padua A repeat of last year’s popular meeting. DC and Baltimore area doulas will be invited to come and share info about what doulas do and provide ICANers with the chance to meet a whole bunch of potential doulas at one time. Last year we had several doula matches made at the meeting. I also promote this meeting as a chance for area doulas to network amongst each other since Baltimore doesn’t have a doula networking group.
The International Cesarean Awareness Network, Inc. (ICAN), is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve maternal-child health by preventing unnecessary cesareans through education, providing support for cesarean recovery, and promoting Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC).
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There’s still time to show your support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, in October and beyond.  Bumkins Finer Baby Products is offering a special promotion in an effort to raise consciousness regarding this deadly threat that affects approximately 240,000 women annually.  They have placed their popular Grande Diaper Bag (Rose Circle Print) on sale for $36.95 and will include five pink Breast Cancer Awareness Ribbon pins with each bag’s purchase.  Keep one and give four away to show support for those struggling with breast cancer and to call for further research and funding to eradicate the disease.
 Bumkins will run this promotion until the end of October. Visit their website for further details or to order your bag now. And, as a Baltimore Mama, you can use coupon code bmama08 at the checkout for free shipping on orders of $75 or more.
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Petunia Pickle Bottom is synonymous with luxury diaper bag. The bags are beautiful, functional, and have the price tag to match. Definitely a splurge! But, twice a year they clean house and offer up a sample sale.  Samples, seconds, and overstocks are sold at 30%-70% off retail prices.  Needless to say, quantities are limited. The sale starts tomorrow, October 15th and goes until October 22nd.
http://www.petuniaoutlet.com/register/
But, not only can you shop, save, and help yourself to this great deal…Petunia is also matching it’s sales (up to 10k) with a donation to the Hands and Feet Project. Read more about it here.
]]>Connect ‘your world’ with orphans of the world–help Petunia raise $20,000.
What is a good opportunity for you to save on fashion could be an even better one for an orphan “a world away.” Here at Petunia we are on a mission to rebuild a children’s village in Haiti that was devastated by hurricanes Gustav and Ike.
Petunia will match dollar for dollar any donation you make to the Hands & Feet Project during the week of our Outlet Sale*. At the time of purchase, you will be given the chance to donate additional dollars beyond your purchase price to this wonderful effort. This truly is the opportune time to receive 30-70% off our most fashionable products for you and your baby–and connect your child with a child “a world away.”
We hope we can list your name among those who have helped rebuild this home for abandoned children. They need us now more than ever.
Sacred Parenting Circle
A place for parents who are yearning for community in their efforts to consciously raise their children. Join a community of support, respect, and deep listening that will empower you to reconnect with your own spirituality so that you can provide a safe environment for your child’s spirit to blossom.
Circle Gatherings will be held on the first Monday of the month, October through June, at 10:30 am.
Cost: $15 per session, or $90 for the full nine-month series.
For more information, contact one of the Circle Facilitators: Betsey Gilbert at (410) 321-5906 or Gina Strauss at (410) 931-7163.  To register, contact EvolveWell at (410) 235-1120.  The studio is located at 4800 Roland Avenue (by Petit Louis), Suite 301.
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Win It! Email baltimoremama@gmail.com with the “Clip N’ Feed” in the subject line by midnight Monday night and you can win one Clip N’ Feed Nursing Cover in the eco-friendly Lemon print! Go to http://prizeywinners.blogspot.com/ to see if you have won!
Supportive, nurturing and empowering, a Personal Renewal Group (PRG) is a life coaching program created specifically to guide moms in exploring and practicing how to 1) “reconnect†with who you are, 2) make well-being a priority so you can live, love and parent optimally and 3) experience greater life balance.
The program is based on the highly-acclaimed book from career/life coach Renée Trudeau, The Mother’s Guide to Self-Renewal: How to Reclaim, Rejuvenate and Re-Balance Your Life.
Beginning October 2008 at Bediboo, and welcome to mothers at all stages of parenting, the 6-month renewal circle will meet twice a month (2nd and 4th Mondays) in the evenings, accommodating working moms.
The Personal Renewal Group provides mothers with the valuable opportunity to:
~Carve out much-needed time, just for YOU
~Focus on nurturing your “inner life†and create the life you desire from the inside out
~Enjoy regular, meaningful connection with like-minded women, in a small group setting
For more information on how to join a group, visit: http://madrecadre.wordpress.com/join-a-group/