Links
More about babywearingMaking your own baby carriers
Where to buy babycarriers
Articles and Research about babywearing
Local Napa/North Bay Links
To find out more about babywearing, check out these unaffiliated sites and groups:
The Babywearer is an information-packed website with consumer reviews of hundreds of baby carriers and sellers as well as articles, instructions for making your own baby carrier, and a busy forum. You have to register, but it's free. With a little time and patience, you can find out most anything you need to know about babywearing here!
Mamatoto is the website for babywearing instructions, videos, and tutorials. You’ll also find easy instructions on how to make your own no-sew baby carrier!
For a big list of links to instructions for making your own sling , click here.
To buy babycarriers, consider these options: P.S. This is hardly an exhaustive list!
Pouches
Ring Slings
Asian Back Carriers
Wraps
Structured carriers
For articles and research about the benefits of carrying your baby, check out these online resources:
Does infant carrying promote attachment? An experimental study of the effects of increased physical contact on the development of attachment.
Infant Carriers and Spinal Stress.
Doctors say carts can be a danger to children.
Read what Dr. Sears, the “father of babywearing” (and father of 8) has to say about it's benefits.
Parenting Resources for North Bay Parents:
MumSpa - what a cool idea! Vicki Mudgett offers single and couples massage with one key extra – childcare while you get your spa treatment.
Kangaroo Korner Makers of my favorite pouch, the Adjustable Fleece Pouch. They also have adjustable cotton, mesh and solarveil pouches.
Goo-ga Makers of the Peanut Shell. Great stretch cottons and bold cotton prints. Also microfleece options in great colors.
The Slingset They have an awesome stretchy pouch, great for newborns. Buy one with a support and get the comfort of a wrap with the ease of a pouch!
Mamababa: support another local Napa mom! Jen also sells ring slings at the Friday night Chef’s Night and Saturday morning Farmer’s Markets. You can also call her at 707-738-6310.
Kiddie Cradles Heather is fantastic to work with, has several beautiful and affordable options.
myPouch Sanni sells an ABC with rings that can be pre-threaded for easy on/off. Beautifully made!
Kozy Carriers Very popular mei tais, offer several different fabric options.
BabyHawk Funky prints, lots of color options, has two sizes.
Cotton Cradles They have lots of information about wraps and carries several of the favorites wraps, including the Moby, the Hug-a-Bub and the Ellaroo.
The ERGO great for front and back carries. Also can be used for hip carry. Dads love ‘em!
Increased carrying reduces infant crying: a randomized controlled trial
Finds that six-week old infants who are "supplementally carried" cry 43% less overall and 51% less in the evening time. Similar but smaller decreases were found in babies 4, 8 and 12 weeks of age. By UA Hunziker and RG Barr.
Finds that babies who were worn in soft carriers by their mothers were significantly more attached. By Anisfeld E, Casper V, Nozyce M, Cunningham N.
A chiropractor’s views on commercial infant carriers that don’t provide proper support for baby’s back and spine. By R.L. Casses
An August 2006 SF Chornicle article about the recent American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation against putting your children in grocery shopping carts. Yet another reason to have a great carrier!
Queen of the Valley Hospital Offers a wealth of pre- and postnatal parenting classes and support groups, including infant/child CPR, infant massage and mom/baby exercise classes as well as a weekly speaker series. Most are free or low-cost. Great way to meet other moms, too. A fantastic community resource!
Cope Family Center – Parent education and family support services, right in downtown Napa. They have free parenting classes (some with childcare), support groups and drop-in hours where you can have someone watch your kids while you make a phone call, read, pay bills or whatever (parent must stay on site). 1340 4th Street, (at Franklin), Napa. 707.252.1123
Napa Valley Yoga – offering prenatal yoga (suitable for all stages of pregnancy) and Mommy and Me yoga classes (for Mom or Dad and babies 8 wks to crawling).
The Poop - The SF Chronicle’s Parenting Blog. Okay, this isn’t really North-Bay specific, but still a fun blog to check out.