Monday, July 28, 2008

'Shallowing' your pouch

In my attempts in encouraging DIY, I find that many have made a pouch too deep, thinking that more fabric is better? Where babywearing with pouches is concerned, please note that more is most of the time NOT GOOD...

In terms having more fabric lengthwise, you'll end up having a pouch too big that's killing your back...

And, when we talk about having more fabric widthwise (anything more than 23", in my opinion), you'll have a pouch too deep and this is especially not good when we are talking about wearing newborns.

Many of you will find that, even with a ready made sling purchased from a vendor, the pouch could still be too deep for your newborn or too deep for your liking.

Here's what I've put together in 'shallowing' your pouch - the easy, no sew way. More of for times when you need it that way for certain stages... If you need it to be permanently shallower, you'll need to be able to sew, makes sense? Also, read M'liss Stelzer's article on correct positioning.

Ok, here goes.... The first two pictures gives you the measurement of a ready made pouch, unfolded and folded...



Lie the pouch flat on the floor (with practice, you don't need to lie is flat... you can just fold it holding it up :))

Depending on how shallow you want it to be, fold the edges back accordingly. Here, I am folding it back by about 2 inches on each side...


With both sides folded, this is how it would look:

Folded before you put on, it looks like this:
As you can see, the measurement now is only an 8 inches deep pouch as opposed to the 10 inches deep pouch that we started with :)

If you don't like how the 'other side' is showing, you can always fold it inwards... but bear in mind that the folded fabric might get into your little one's way especially when we talk about newborns in the cradle carry position :


Saturday, July 26, 2008

Ring Sling for a friend :)

This was a special request from a special friend, namely a team member of Malaysian Babywearers :)

She provided the fabric and specified the shoulder style she would like... just because this is not available for sale in Malaysia and it would cost a bundle to get in from where these kind of shoulder style is sold.

So, yes, I did it for her :)

Would love to post actions shots of this but I am just not into using someone's stuff before asking for permission. Probably wait for her to give me some? :)

Would you like to make one for yourself or for a friend? Click the link below for instructions.

Please read the note and please respect the owner's rights to the instructions. They are put up to make babywearing affordable, so, please don't make them take these instructions away.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

My Sax Experience...


Ok ok... let's not get overexcited again. The spelling is correct. I did not misspell the above.

In my effort to promote environmental friendliness and going green, Peekaroobaby has been carrying Envirosax for some time now... a trendy way and convenient way to bringing out those reusable bags...
With so much news on the importance to go green and the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), I am rather sad that some of my attempts to decline plastic bags while grocery shopping failed... simply because the cashier is afraid the security officers will come after them???
For this particular reason, I'd prefer to go shopping at the foreigners-owned super/hypermarkets as they are rather glad I brought my own bag and there's simply no contest on why I should be using their bags instead.

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Breastfeeding Buddy

A friend of mine started an online shop, Charantya Store, focusing on natural and attachment parenting products.

Of the many items listed, the thing that caught my attention is the Breastfeeding Buddy. I have seen this somewhere and wanted to source for the right snaps for similar applications. I must admit I still am not able to find it.

This Breastfeeding Buddy can be used for many different applications.

Why would I want to introduce it to babywearers? Well, as you can see from the picture below, one of the applications is to pair it with any piece of fabric/blanket/shawl to come up with an instant nursing cover!

World Breastfeeding Week 2008

In conjunction with World Breastfeeding Week 2008, MMPS (Mother to Mother Peer Support), a voluntary breastfeeding support group, is organising a Breastfeeding Wave event on the 2nd August 2008.

Lunch and goodies for the first 100 mothers who register to breastfeed together for one minute ;)

Together, we can break the record (only 68 Moms who breastfed together last year).
Together, we can make this happen.

Email pgmmps-at-gmail-dot-com to register/enquire today!

Thursday, July 17, 2008

WARNING! These rings COULD BREAK!


Some of you may have come across these rings. They are sold at sewing shops and are known to be used a sling rings by Indonesians. Indeed, in encouraging DIY ring sling (a more affordable choice to many), I did help people buy these rings, too. They are very affordable at RM5 per pair. Still great for those new to babywearing and wishing to try out ring sling options but certainly not for long-term use.
Though I have cautioned people of the possibility of them breaking, there is now one confirmed incident that a ring did break! This is why we do not encourage the use of anything that is has an obvious joint (if you have not seen one of these... they DO NOT have an obvious joint and are known to be used for slings!)!
If this can break, NEVER use craft rings... or curtain rings... or rattan rings...
While what you see in the picture will still be a much more afforadable option, especially if you are just trying out wearing a baby, if you are keen, you should just get Sling Rings (www.slingrings.com). Sling Rings has been tried and tested for safety and Peekaroobaby is now carrying them on behalf of Malaysian Babywearers.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Custom Blankie


The latest custom order received is a larger than usual Peek-a-Sense Squares... a mini Blankie for someone special ;)

Friday, July 11, 2008

Happy Little Babywearer


Cross posted from My Little Arthur (with video):

My little one, Momma loves to call you my little one now... you are no longer a baby... no longer a toddler... but my little one.

Momma caught you dancing with the sling, with little ducky in it and got you to pose for a photo... when I asked that you dance again so that Momma can get it recorded... you did it but was a bit shy... Arthur, Arthur, my dear Arthur... Momma is so glad you are growing up a happy little 'baby'wearer ;)

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Faulty measuring tape

Here it is, owing from some time ago about the potential sizing problem. Sorry it took so long to locate the faulty measuring tape and finally take a picture of it. I kept is far away from my sewing area.... for obvious reasons ;)

The blue tape is the normal one, showing the correct measurements.

The white tape is the faulty one. I have a waist measurement reading 21" with it! No, my waist is definitely not 21".


Sunday, July 6, 2008

DO NOT BLEACH!

I am not a bleach user buy Mom swears by them to keep clothes stain-free.

Thing is, if you are babywearing and/or cloth diapering, you would definitely want to keep your carriers and/or your cloth diapers away from bleach!

In Cloth Diapering, it is a widely known fact that bleach is bad. How many babywearers know this for their carriers, though?

While bleaching is good to keep your whites, white... most of the time, bleaching somewhat breaks the composition or the construction of the fabric. I still remember the day the back of one of my favourite white shirt of mine literally broke apart just as I was bending to pick up something from the floor. It was barely a year old and made of 100% cotton. The culprit, I suspect, is bleach as Mom loves bleaching all whites before washing.

Where babywearing is concerned, BLEACH IS A NO-NO, too! You certainly do not want what happened to my shirt happen to your carrier, do you?

The next question will then lead to... what about softener? Well, personally, I will stay away from that, too.

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Frus and frus

It's been decided. It's just not easy getting my website done despite paying for someone to do it. After 2 attempts, I have decided it is more than enough. The first group of people took 3 months and the second group of people is still going at it since end of Decemeber 2007 (they promised it shall be done before Chinese New Year 2008).

Instead of spending time emailing them and chasing after them, I have to just admit that I am really tired of the whole thing... I am just going to let it be and try my best to rearrange my blog shop to make it more attractive and user-friendly. That shall explain why you won't be able to log on to the blog shop for the next week. Thank you for understanding.

Perhaps, it would have been better if I'd ask around more before engaging in anyone. My trusting self definitely did not work out where web development is involved :(

Perhaps, it would have been better if I have at least double the budget of what I am paying them... could it have been better?

Perhaps, my site would have been ready by now if I went ahead and used the money to invest in a web design course instead...

Lesson learnt... the difficult way...