Lara and Betsy with our kids back in 2004

One of our favorite things here at Blueberry Baby is to teach people how to carry, or “wear” their babies.  We gladly offer a lifetime of lessons to every mama, daddy, or grandma who comes into the shop to try out our baby carriers and slings.   From birth to toddler, there is a comfortable way to carry your child, encouraging bonding, communication, and giving you freedom to go about your day knowing baby is close and content.

We offer the Ergo baby carrier, ring slings, pouches (similar to the New Native carrier), and wrap style carriers (Storchenwiege) both new and used in our shop.  In the photo above, Lara is wearing Jonah in a batik ring sling (hip carry), and Betsy is wearing Liliana in  a Storchenwiege wrap (back cross carry improvised).  Both children are around 2 years old and over 25 pounds in this photo, and we are both pregnant with #3 in this picture, too!   Our two older boys have been known to occasionally ask for a ride on mama’s back, which we can cheerfully oblige using the wrap style carrier and a back carry similar to the one pictured, or the Ergo baby carrier. (see www.ergobabycarrier.com)
We also sell the tummy2tummy DVD, a comprehensive babywearing guide, valuable for everyone from novice babywearer to experienced natural mama. It covers ringslings, wrap style carriers, and pouches and is a worthshile purchase for anyone who wants to wear their baby well. The Ergo carrier comes with its own DVD.

For more info on the art of babywearing, please come by the shop for a demonstration or for help in getting the hang of your sling or carrier, or visit mamatoto.org , a wonderful resource with photos and videos of many different babies being worn in various positions and styles of carriers.  Happy baby wearing!

There is not enough time in the day!  While we do make a few items, we rely largely on other local crafts people, many of whom are also work at home moms, dads and grandmas, and a few dedicated friends!

Though we don’t have control over all chosen work environments of our artisans, we do our best to make sure everyone we work with is receiving a fair wage.  There are some things it is just not cost effective to make in Alaska at this time, and a few items just can’t be improved upon, and that’s why we carry some great non-Alaskan items too!

So which diaper do you use on your baby?

We don’t sell any diapers we haven’t personally tested out on our babies (there are occasionally the  new product exceptions, but they usually don’t last long!)  Having said that, everyone has their preferences:

Lara- For newborns, NOTHING beats a Kissaluvs size 0 with a SWW cover, but as soon as they reasonably fit, I use Ecobaby organic Grow With Me diapers with either a SWW, SS or a wool cover.  I have an equal number of Kushies and ATD for out and about, and hubby and I “just can’t deal with it” days- I like the ATD better, but my toddlers liked the Kushies prints.  My current 2 year old will actually strip and demand the jungle animal diaper if he sees it on the line!  I have about 54 diapers, wash once a week and never run out with that much back up!

Betsy- for newborns, I agree, the Kissaluv size 0 with a SWW cover is unbeatable- a newborn doubler is helpful for longer stretches for some babies. For older babies, I really like the ATD all-in-one (with a flushable liner once they are on solids).  For toddlers or younger heavy wetters at nighttime, one of our unbleached DSQ prefolds with a kissaluvs soaker inside, a snappi fastener and a LANA wool cover is super absorbent, breathable, and makes for a dry bed always!

Which sling do you use the most?

Betsy- Now that I have a two year old who is 25 lbs., my favorite by far for comfort is the Storchenwiege wrap.  I carry my not-so-little girl in a back cross carry wrap, which was very much worth the effort it took to get it down pat.  We recently took a two week trip across the country, and I had people stop in the airport  to watch as I took her on and off my back, in and out of the wrap, smoothly and quickly.  It doubled as a blanket on the airplane, and folded up flat in my carry on.  I have a pregnant baby belly right now, and needless to say, this is the only carrier which is truly comfortable (we have a serious backpacking frame pack carrier, and a Babytrekker- like the Canadian version of the ergo carrier- and neither one compares).  I like the versatility, extreme comfort of having weight distributed so well, and the gorgeous organic fabric with just the right amount of stretch.

When I have a little one (under a year and under 22 lbs. or so) I do love my batik ring sling (by Breast Dressed- made right here in Fairbanks) for popping baby in and out easily and for discreet nursing.  It has a comfy shoulder pad, but an unpadded body and free flowing tail for coverage for a sleeping or nursing baby.  It is cool and breathable even on the sunny beaches of Hawaii, and can be worn under a parka while doing errands in frigid Alaskan winters.