Coins for SANDS
Today, I explained how my website works to my pupils www.petitpoppet.co.uk and talked to them about SANDS (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society UK).
Naturally and perhaps fortunately, they had not heard of the charity and were extremely sensitive when I described the kinds of circumstances when SANDS support is called upon. They were touched and agreed it was a great charity for Petit Poppet to support and we had a long debate about the fact that many worthy charities just don’t have the awareness campaigns following them that they deserve.
Following their morning break, one of my girls approached me and handed me these coins. They are the change from her snack money and she asked me to donate it on her behalf.
There are good people growing up in the world and I’m glad to be working with them.
if you would like to donate to SANDS too please visit www.justgiving.com/slingsforsands or to simply learn more about this invaluable charity and how it supports those it benefits visit: www.uk-sands.org/
Decisions, decisions
Life is just ram packed full of decisions right now it would appear. I honestly have no room left in my head for any further choices. I’ve spent nearly two weeks trying to put stock orders together for Ju Ju Be Changing Bags and Huggalugs baby leg warmers. There are just too many lovely styles/designs to choose from. In taking such a long time to decide, I am doing myself out of business so have set today as my deadline for making those choices. I’m sure that I’ll be placing additional orders before too long so no idea why this all feels so important.
Thankfully, Easter is nearly upon us and two weeks of release from my ‘real’ job looms. The freedom these weeks are promising me is almost unbearable. I am going to have up to 6 full days to myself which will be the first time since Ellen was born. Don’t get me wrong, I adore every second I spend with her but my house is a mess, my to do list is longer than a long thing and I am going to really enjoy sitting and having a coffee in the morning and drinking the entire cup while it’s hot.
Yesterday we spent the day with our lovely friends who for one reason or another we haven’t seen since before Christmas. You’d never believe we live less than a mile away from each other… Still, we went for a delightful pub lunch by the river. We spent ages deciding what to have to eat from the extensive menu (more decisions) and then when we ordered and asked for them to bring a highchair, were politely informed they don’t ‘do’ highchairs. I was agog. No highchairs? Surely this must be a mistake right? Wrong. We asked at the bar and were again told nope, no highchairs. I never knew such a scenario was possible. I was full of plans to take along my own gigantic highchair next time to teach them a lesson but since the food was rather uninspiring at least we won’t have to worry about the logistics of doing so.
We went elsewhere for dessert and finished off the afternoon with a trip to the swings. Ellen had her first go on the seesaw which she’d never done before and adored it. Especially the bit where daddy bumped mummy really hard and made her fly into the air with her prized camera in her hands. Tut tut.
Happy babywearing 🙂
Beautiful day
I feel magnificent today. There’s nothing that can beat the sunshine and spring blooms for soothing the soul.
We set off for a walk from home with Ellen in the Beco on Rob’s back and Poppy (dog) in tow.
It was a glorious walk where me met lots of pony friends, crocuses (would the plural of crocuses be croci?), daffodils and general gorgeousness. Stopped halfway for a bitter shandy and returned home for doughtnuts, tea and wine in the conservatory. Life is good 🙂
Taken lots of photos today as my girl is changing before my eyes.
We experiemented with putting Ellen into the Beco before putting it on today and I can’t believe how much easier it made things. Ellen liked it as it acted as a swing for a moment inbetween being sat on sofa and put on her dad’s back. We’re both now more convinced than ever that the Beco is the way forward and all other slings are taking a back seat in our house for the forseeable future!
You can try a Beco out or buy one from the site at http://www.petitpoppet.co.uk/beco
Pics to follow once I’ve mastered Photoshop Elements!
And breathe….
I’m feeling really rather ranty at The Daily Mail this afternoon. Where better to vent my frustration than here?
The headline to the article I’m referring to reads ‘Yummy Mummy Slings ‘may kill’ babies”. I probably need say nothing more…
But I will…
As usual, this article is hugely imbalanced and jumping on the scare tactic bandwagon. The deaths of infants they refer to all resulted from suffocation due to ill-fitting or badly designed slings. Within the article there is a picture of Nicole Kidman wearing a horrendously poorly fitting bag/pouch sling. Now, had Nicole been advised in how to fit a sling or indeed how to choose one that is suited to her and her baby, the picture would be a great deal more pleasing.
As with all parenting choices, safety has to be considered. We all spend vast amounts of time searching for safety reports on car seats and exploring the latest research around SIDS (AKA cot death). However, we still use car seats and cots for our babies. The same applies when choosing a sling.
A great place for more info on sling safety is:
http://babyslingsafety.blogspot.com/
Make full use of our Petit Poppet agents and ask for a demo or consultation so that you can try out before you buy and ensure you have the ideal, SAFE fit for you and your baby.
That’s all from me on my soapbox for now… but I will leave you with the following press release on behalf of the Consortium of UK Sling Manufacturers & Retailers:
UK Sling Companies Put Baby Safety First
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has raised concerns about “bag-style” baby carriers. It is thought that 14 deaths have occurred in the US over the last 20 years, all linked to the “bag-style” sling. UK Sling retailers and manufacturers are taking steps to ensure that parents have the information they need to continue to use safe designs of baby carriers and position their babies in the safest way possible.
One design of sling now seems to have potential risks. In “bag-style” slings, the deep pouch where baby sits puts the baby in a potentially suffocating curved position. Excess fabric with an elasticized edge may cover baby’s face and inhibit breathing. The design may cause the baby’s face to turn in toward the carer’s body, potentially smothering the baby. It also obstructs the baby from the parent’s view, due to the high and gathered side panels.
The majority of baby carriers and slings are still safe to use, if they hold baby in proper alignment and fit snugly by design and instruction. These safe designs of sling include shallow pouch-style slings, ring slings, soft carriers and wrap slings.
Advice for Parents
If you carry your baby in a bag-style sling, Rebecca Ward, of the Consortium of UK Sling Manufacturers and Retailers advises you to contact your local babywearing group through Sling Meet, http://www.slingmeet.co.uk, for advice on alternative slings. She says, “While we are unaware of any fatalities in the UK in these bag style slings at the present time, we would caution against using them in light of the recommendations by the US Safety Commission”. If you have another sort of baby carrier, Rebecca advises, “No safety problems have been brought to our attention with any other baby carriers. Make sure you read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.” When using a baby sling, the advice provided by the Consortium of UK Sling Manufacturers and Retailers is to follow these basic principles:
Keep your baby close and keep your baby safe. When you’re wearing a sling or carrier, don’t forget the T.I.C.K.S.
Tight
In view at all times
Close enough to kiss
Keep chin off the chest
Supported back
To find out more about baby wearing and get advice on safe ways to carry your baby there are several trusted websites to help you:
· Slingmeet
· TheBabywearer.com
· Facebook page for Babywearing Safety
· Mothering.com
· LaLecheLeague
Benefits of Baby Wearing
In well-designed products, studies have shown that baby wearing is not only safe, but is actually beneficial. Such studies have shown that quality baby slings and carriers have been shown to save lives, improve health, decrease crying, increase IQ, and facilitate breastfeeding and bonding. [i] Studies have also shown that worn babies are happier and spend more time in the quiet alert phase. In this phase they benefit more than their non-worn peers in language development and knowledge acquisition. Babywearing also helps babies sleep better, and physical needs, including breastfeeding, are met more quickly by a close, responsive parent. Millions of babies over time have been worn to their benefit making baby slings and carriers more of a necessity than the often-publicized fashion accessory. [ii]
Consortium of UK Sling Manufacturers and Retailers Members
As an aside I’m all about twiiter this week. I never knew the magnitude of it! I have the grand total of 79 followers right now and am enjoying living my life in real time ‘sleb’ update status. I have found I am able to imagine myself of similar status and that one day I will be inundated with 3000 replies for every tweet I put out there into the ether. If you want to be among my throng come follow me @petweetpoppet (see what I did there?!).
Exciting news!
Well, it’s all go now the agents are coming in thick and fast! One of our fab new girls has provided us with an exciting opportunity to hold a stall at the ABM conference on 19th June in London. This is a brilliant opportunity for Petit Poppet to spread far and wide as the event will be attended by health professionals and prospective customers alike! Lots of planning….
Lots to add and update on the site, not enough hours in the day!
I’m getting my head around Twitter this week. I have 29 followers so far which is a little paltry. If you’d like to follow me the username is petweetpoppet (see what I did there?!).
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