It's sizing again!!

It's never easy to size a pouch. The best we could do is to arrange a meet up and try it on for ourselves!

Then again, that doesn't always work. Why???

• The ideal position of having the lowest point around the belly button doesn't work for all. Some prefers it higher up, some prefers it lower. It's a thing on personal preference. The pouch may look too big/small for the wearer but if the wearer INSISTS that it is comfortable, it's not easy changing their perception, even when it is INDEED too big! (too small usually is not much of a problem)
• We assume too much when sizing ourselves! We tend to think if we look bigger, we shall have a bigger size. If we look taller, we need a bigger size. Truth be told, or rather, the fact is, tall or short, big or small, our bodies are built differently. We can be tall with a long body and short legs or short with a body with long legs... you get the idea? No? Well, to gain the ultimate babywearing experience with a pouch, the measurement is taken from one shoulder to the opposite hip bone... so, if your body is long, you will have a bigger measurement compared to one with a short body... nothing to do with your overall size though it does give us a general idea
• We love the pouch but wish we could share it!... so, all possible users measured and the if we buy the largest size among them all, all can share, right?? Wrong! Imagine not feeling at all comfortable with the pouch simply because it is just too big... will you really want to use it again?
• We have been using a particular brand (say, S size works wonders), so S size from another should fit. NOT NECESSARILY. Honestly, even the same size of the same brand can be different over time as they go through remodification and all. Again, never assume and measure as per the instructions.

Just don't assume anything when it comes to buying pouches, especially when you are new to them. Ask and I am pretty sure the vendors will be glad to help :)

'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 :

Kangaroo Korner Adjustable Pouches is here!

Yes! You read it right. Following up on my previous post on adjustable pouches, Malaysians can now finally get their hands on adjustable pouches.

One of the better known adjustable pouches in the market, Kangaroo Korner's adjustable pouches offers four rows of adjustments each.. which means, you are simply going to get 4 sizes in 1 pouch! Indeed, Tanya Westerman (owner and founder of Kangaroo Korner) is the very person featured on the Tummy to Tummy DVD pouch wearing session.


Ok, ok... I saw that question coming... yes, I've got one of the Solarveil (something I'd been wanting to try out as I have read great information on Solarveil) varieties. Penangites will probably be the very first ones to see it and try it as I sure will being it with me to our next gathering on the 21st June 2008 ;)

Availble from Tiny Tapir.


Look out for my review!

Favourites - Kangaroo Carry

With my little experience in babywearing advocacy, though a bit difficult to get used to (for the babywearer), the kangaroo carry is by far the most enjoyable positions for our little ones.

It is no exaggeration when I say ALL babies love it, provided they are worn correctly (i.e. sitting on the fabric, NOT squatting on it). Some can even sleep in this position.

So, why the love for the Kangaroo carry? It must be because this seems to be the only position where our little ones can really look where we are looking ;) and perhaps, the secure feeling that we are always there to back them up?

Pouch slings - Sizing matters

I have long wanted to share a post on sizing of pouch slings... so, here it is.

A pouch - easiest to learn, trendy, lightweight, convenient... it is no wonder the pouch, among all others, is gaining popularity in the Malaysian market. Also, could it be the lack of knowledge that there are also other babywearing possibilities other than the pouch?

Whatever it is, what many new and experienced babywearers is not aware is that, for a pouch to feel comfortable, THE SIZE HAS TO BE RIGHT! Ok, let's not get over excited on the capital letters. In a way, being the 'RIGHT' size has it's own meanings, too.

The most common misconceptions about pouches is that they should be bigger and not JUST RIGHT. For the babywearer to comfortably wear their little ones, this is very essential. Especially when the pouch is too BIG.

Try imagining yourself carrying a backpack full of books with straps too long and pulling away from your body. How long can you wear the bag for without feeling the strain?

Compare that to the straps adjusted so as the bag is close to your back.

That is the kind of difference it would make when a pouch is too big.

Too small? That is when you feel uncomfortably tight or suffocated, though many new pouch users will feel this way even when the pouch is right.

In my little experience with pouches, some of the factors that contribute to the problems of sizing includes:

• The measuring tape... i know i need to put the picture in... let me locate the measuring tape in the morning... Have you ever come across a measuring instrument that gives you the wrong measurements? Well, I happen to have a measuring tape that tells me my waist is just a bare 21 inches! No, of course, I am more than that... I would consider myself aneroxic if I had that measurement. Maybe, this could explain why the measurements differ and the babywearer needs something 2 sizes different?
• Body built... probably the biggest myth in pouch sizing is the height... many I know would estimate the size of a pouch from the height of a person. What is more important here is not the height but the overall built. For instance, a 6 foot tall person can have a short body (with long legs) and a short person could simply have a wider body.. if these all makes sense. I recently fitted a pouch on someone who is more than 6 feet in height and guess what? She is a size S!
• Different vendors, different sizing... When a pouch user is happy with the first pouch they got and just cannot live without it, chances are, they are likely going to buy another one. Just to try things out, maybe, from another vendor... ordering for the same size, without realising that there are different measurement charts across different vendors. While the Peek-a-Pouches and Littlepods are sized by the inches (i.e. only once inch different between sizes), most others are sized to fit a few measurements in a size. As such, it is essential to check out the sizing charts before ordering a pouch. It would also be wise to check if a vendor offers an exchange if the size is wrong ;) If you have noticed, there is also a slight difference in sizing between Littlepods and Peek-a-Pouches.
• Bulk of our clothes... Ever wonder why your pouch would fit nicely yesterday but not today? Have you changed your clothes? Does your little one uses cloth diapers? Though not as critical as in countries with four seasons, the bulk in clothing can also contribute to the feel of the pouch being a bit tighter/looser than usual

So, yes, the trendy, popular, convenient and easy-to-use pouch does have it's drawbacks... mainly when the size is not right.

At any time, it is most important that the babywearer feels comfortable. That is, after all, why we chose to wear our babies, for comfort and bonding ;)

My recommendations: Try before you buy ;) Else, make sure that an exchange/resizing is possible ;)

Pouch users, what's your thoughts?

From baby to toddler

Last Saturday's Penang Babywearers Gathering, "Eyes on Pouch" seen us discussing and trying off some of the tricks that are not commonly known to pouch users.

The first wonder of all... what most people will find hard to believe is that the same pouch can actually fit a baby to a toddler, by just using different carrying positions.

It was great of Debz to try out the pouch with both her little ones, Jack, 5 months and Oscar 3 years... now, we can see clearly that the same pouch can fit ;)

Debz with 5-months old Jack
Debz with 3-year old Oscar

Arthur's graduation to hip carry

This is Joe. It's the latest addition to Arthur's toys. One of the longet outstanding sewing project I was to make for Arthur is something that incorporates different ways of openings/closures. I was to make a fabric book for that using recycled materials...

We came across Joe and it was on sale. For less than RM20, Joe is much better than any fabric book I could make... it's got a zippered shirt, big buttoned vest, velcro shoe on one leg and shoelaces on the other... it is the perfect excuse... ermm... replacement for the fabric book I was about to make.

Why is he called Joe? Well, it's just one of the names that would match 'Jane'... the doll that the teacher in Muzikgarten uses when she teach. Arthur likes that doll very much.

Anyway, it's been 3 days now since Joe was brought home. For the first couple of days, Arthur did have very good practice taking off Joe's clothes and leaving them lying on the floor...

Today is the third day Joe is with us and to my surprised, Arthur asked for his sling so that he could carry Joe around.

Now, as you can see, Joe is much, much bigger than the Pooh Bear Arthur used to wear.... in a way, Pooh Bear is the infant and Joe the toddler... so, Momma have to teach my little one the hip carry.




Arthur's so happy with the new carrying position... after all, this is the position that he was worn as most of the time... he is bringing Joe with him even when he plays with other toys.

How long can it last?

Out of the many questions I get asked when promoting my slings, I find that the most difficult to give an accurate answer to is...

"How long can it last?"

It is not like I have some secrets to hide or anything... just try to imagine that the sling is a piece of clothing. Say, a dress... Now, I ask you this question... How long do you think it can last?

Just like with your clothing, the time a sling can last totally depends on how long and how often you use it. Just like your clothes, it will go through the usual wear and tear. The more you wear it, the sooner it will thin out, the sooner the colours will fade. Makes sense?

The many other aspects to answering the question include:

• how often you wear it
• the duration of it being used each time
• how often the sling is washed
• how do you dry your sling (the dryer will take some time off the sling for sure)
• the weight of the baby being worn

In other words, if you purchased a sling today and put it aside, it can last for many good years to come. If you use it everyday, you might find that you'd need a new one after a year or two.

Generally, slings are known to last for years. I have heard of people being passed on the slings and some have even inherited slings from their Mothers who used it to wear them!

My honest to goodness answer to the above question would be, all I can say for the Peek-a-Pouch is that I have been using one for almost everyday for more than a year, washing it almost every week, if not more and it is still good as new. 5 years? That will have to wait until I have used it for 5 years before I can give you a definite answer.

Putting on the pouch sling

How one folds the pouch and how one puts on the pouch is probably one of the most important in using the pouch.

To a totally new babywearer, the pouch would be the simplest to learn. However, I have found that "folding into half lengthwise" is not as easy as it sounds.

Surprising as it may sound, many users of the pouch sling fold the sling incorrectly, where no 'pouch' in formed at all. As a result, the sling is worn all bunched up and the weight taking a toll on the wearers (usually neck) as they use the sling without a 'pouch'.

In my attempt to reduce this from happening, I have tried some detailed photos of this particular step. Below is also a video trying to help:

Selamat Babywearing ;)

2 Pouches 1 Toddler

A simple trick if you have two pouches and a heavy toddler is to wear your little one with 2 pouches. It kind of mimicks a wrap and will help distribute the weight over your two shoulders.

I have purposedly chosen contrasting fabric, hoping that the two pouches are obvious


This is how it will look from the back

As you can see, it is still very important to practise the same principles as you would with one pouch... just repeat what you are already doing with one pouch.

• ensure that the fabric is still wide open and not scrunching up to your neck
• ensure fabric is well spread out across your back

The above can also be done with the ring slings, only you have to have mastered adjusting the rails before you try it.

Possible positions with 2 pouches/ring slings... tummy to tummy, hip carry and back carry (with help of another adult for putting toddler in and taking toddler out).

Happy Experimenting and Happy Babywearing!

Ok ok... don't get over excited with the word "Experimenting". Please ALWAYS experiment with care. You might want to try new carries near a bed or other soft landings if you are unsure.

Adjustable Pouches

Have you heard of adjustable pouches? Do you know what they are? Well, just do a Google search and you will find that adjustable pouches can be a tempting find for a pouch sling lover! (I would love to put a pic here but I am not into stealing pics from the Internet)

Simply put, the adjustable pouch is your favourite pouch, but ADJUSTABLE! Now, wasn't a great drawback for pouch slings are that they aren't adjustable? And, no... we are not talking about the hybrid ring slings with a short adjustable tail. This is still very much a pouch sling where, once adjusted, there's no fuss with buckles, rings etc.

Are they all good? From reviews and researches, well, let's just say that I have not found one that is really tempting enough for me to try on. Probably because I can sew my own pouches, I am taking my time to find the ultimate adjustable pouch system that is comfortable.

I stress a lot on comfort. Out of the many ways to adjust a pouch... snaps... hook & loop... zippers... I imagined that hook & loop should be the best when it comes to "not feel a thing" but will it actually last and will it actually be safe enough. Knowing hook & loop from my CD experience... I must say that I doubt it will last. Unless, there are special hook & loop designed to last? IS there such a thing, to begin with?

Shoulder flips

Many have asked about the shoulder flip, thinking it is kind of a fashion statement to show a little of the reverse side.

No. Indeed, the shoulder flip has a practical use... more than being fashionable (though some will purposely get a bigger sling to be able to do this ;))

This particular technique is useful to pull your baby closer to you, with any of the pouch sling carrying positions.

Simply, fold back the top layer at the shoulder. It will tighten the sling by about 1/2".

Just when you think you have slimmed down and need a new pouch, this works wonders ;) Just make sure that the fabric on the shoulders are holding on well and not slipping and that baby's bum is not bumping to your thighs...

In any case, if your pouch fits you nicely, you would not need to to this at all.

Then again, there might be certain positions (the hip carry, most of the time) where you prefer to have your baby closer to you.

A pouch or a ring sling? You decide!

Many have voiced their curiosity over the pouch and the ring sling-which is better?? Seems like those are the main consideration for us Malaysians... probably because these are the only type of carriers that is available in the market? Of course, we have other carriers available like the Baby Bjorn, Ergo, Sweet Cherry etc. I won't comment on those as I'd never personally try them out.

While it is a matter of preference, as I have discussed earlier in Carriers Comparison, I just cannot stop searching for more answers since many of you raised the same issue being in between choices when it comes to a ring sling or a pouch. Nevermind my personal preference, for your benefit, I have found a very detailed and shall I say very good and unbiased comparison from one who is dedicated and sells both of them:

http://www.thebabywearer.com/index.php?page=pouchslingcomparison

This shall do it this time. Hope you find it useful ;)

Again, the most important here is that you enjoy babywearing... so, just go ahead with what you feel is right for you. Some would even find just tying a piece of selendan or sarong or even a bedsheet works (but, please, get something that's at least 6 feet or approximately 2 metres long.. longer is you are bigger in size) ! If you want to try that out, be sure to check this:

http://izaown.fotopages.com/?entry=215903

Again, there are many other ways to tie.. this is just one of them. Shucks... I am wishing someone could take those pictures for me.. still working on the photos for my instructions page. If I do get the chance, I will post on the other different methods to tie the selendang or the sarong.. hopefully, soon. ;)