I didn’t realise how much my life would change when SnugBoy#1 started school.

I kind of thought it would mean I was less busy – looking after one is easier than two, right? What I didn’t bank on was his ever-expanding social life. He has parties to go to every other week. And he takes tennis lessons, which is great, and he loves (until he got smacked in the face with a racket last week, anyway). We haven’t really begun playdates yet, but it’s only a matter of time.

But I am beginning to think I ought to don a twinset and build a little white picket fence. I have even joined the PTA for heaven’s sake! Don’t get me wrong, I love being involved with the school, even if it is incredibly hard work and time consuming. The rewards are worth it (this year we are trying to raise £5k for new books – and there was me thinking that things like that came from the LEA), and someone has to do it (unfortunately we don’t have a massive team, but the people we do have work jolly hard).

It’s odd though. I didn’t imagine this. I don’t feel old enough (although some days I most definately look it!) I often feel pulled in so many different directions, I might just split down the middle. I forget which hat I am wearing!

And while we are on the subject, there is so much more to worry about one they are at school – did I remember to write in his reading record book? Did he do his spellings? Am I making healthy enough packed lunches? Did I pack a spoon for his yoghurt?

Most of all, I worry about him being happy. He is a sensitive little soul, and though he is generally ok, he can be very shy and not speak up if something is wrong.

This parenting malarky gets harder as they get older, doesn’t it? Does anyone know if it will eventually get easier? I think I will still be worrying when he is 25 and have wife to worry about him!

We’re looking for new models, and it could be you and your little star who are featured on the packaging and promotional material.

Simply submit a photo of you and your child on our competition page, and then vote for them in the gallery. Don’t forget to tell your friends and family so they can vote too!

The winner will attend a photoshoot in the glorious Lake District, and will win a SnugBaby baby sling, worth over £60, and a framed and mounted portrait from the session worth £255

Competition in conjunction with

I went out for a rare date with SnugMan last night. It was lovely, although, as usual, it wasn’t long before the conversation turned to work. We talked about what we hope to do in the future, how things are going at the moment, and also about how far SnugBaby (and me personally) have come since starting out almost 2 years ago.

In my previous life BC (before children) I had a good job, with an associated degree and professional qualifications. I was a dispensing optician, and managed the high street branch of a major optical chain, and did a pretty good job of it, if I do say so myself. But having children changes you, or at least it changed me.

Before children, I was confident of my abilities, able to make important decisions, happy with myself and my appearance.

After having SnugBoy#1 I went back to work part time, but I was never as happy (I hated leaving him) and I was quite pleased to become a full time mum when we moved back to Cumbria, although it did quickly become a bit boring.  But I seem to have become really bad at making a decisions and suffer from a severe lack of confidence, both of  my capabilities and of myself in terms of appearance.

During the course of our date, SnugMan actually made me shed a little tear by telling me how proud he is of me. He pointed out all the things I have learnt, without any guidance, and told me how frustrating it is for him when I insist on asking his opinion on things that I can do by myself.

And he made me realise he is right. I am quite good at this, actually. I don’t mean that in an arrogant way, but I am running a successful business, all of my own doing. And yes, I had a piece of paper to say I was good at my last job – but it also applies to this job too (my degree is Ophthalmic Dispensing with Management). I make important decisions on a day to day basis, and I must be making them right, or I wouldn’t have a business.

So, I am going to try to be more self-confident. Not sure how, yet, but I am going to try. I love that he is proud of me, and I am going to try to make him even prouder.

I would love to hear your thoughts about how children have changed you. Or maybe it was the change in circumstances, so make that how any changes to your life have changed you as a person.

And if anyone has any confidence tips or ways to boost my self-esteem, I would love to hear them too.

Apparently Monday 18th January is the most depressing day of the year. I guess it comes from post-Christmas, pre-payday blues, having given up on New Year’s resolutions, and the Christmas chocolate supply running low.

Here at SnugBaby, we don’t like to think of anyone being unhappy, so, to cheer you up, we are offering a free gift with all orders of BabyLegs, Leg Huggers or SnugBaby baby slings placed between now and Monday evening. We will automatically include some free chocolates to brighten your day, and provide you with a little smile. You do not need to do anything to take advantage, of our generosity – apart from place an order, of course.

So, on Monday (and every day), remember to take a little time out to remember all the good things about life. We take life far too seriously, and it really does us good to slow down  a little and make time to relax.

And eat chocolate – it definately helps

Over at our friend’s, CharlieMoo’s, they are running a fabulous Moo Year Competition!

One of their best selling items is the “Thank You” seed tag – a delightful tag, which not only bears a lovely message to give as a tag on a party gift, which says “Thank you for coming to my party” but the tag is designed to be planted afterwards, and with a bit of water, and some TLC, a wild flower will grow!

But, they are looking for a new design for the tag, and that is where you come in. All you have to do is to design our new Seed Tag. Each Tag is 9.5cm in length and 6.5cm wide

The only information we do require you to have on the tag is ….

• www.charliemoos.co.uk
• our cow image … which can be obtained by emailing info@charliemoos.co.uk and
• the words ‘Thank You for coming to my party’
• or space to add these if you are just entering a poem.

All entrants need to be sent to info@charliemoos.co.uk by 31st January 2010

Daddy Moo and Mummy Moo will pick our Top 5
The Top 5 will then go to a public vote
The winning design will be made into Seed Tags

The winner will recieve a £10 Charlie Moo’s Gift Voucher and 10 of their designed Seed Tags

So what are you waiting for? Get designing, and we wish you the best of luck.

When I talked to a friend the other day about babywearing – she was completely confused as to what I meant. She thought perhaps I was suggesting that she use her little darling as a hat.

However, when renowned paediatrician, Dr William Sears invented the term babywearing in the 1980s, I’m fairly sure he meant it to mean “all the various types of baby slings”, and not “wearing babies as a fashion accessory” (at least we hope so!)

In all fairness to the human race, all Dr Sears did was come up with the name for something that had been going on since… well, since the first human mummy stood up, looked around and said, “Now, where did I put Baby?”

Even before that, our simian ancestors did (and still do) carry their offspring in a variety of ways attached to the fur of different parts of their bodies

Humans around the world have been carrying their offspring for several millennia before Phil and Ted – and anything that has been going for that long is subject to local diversity, so it’s not surprising to find a wide range of different baby carriers.

Of course, in “less developed” countries it is still regarded as the best way of getting your kids around before they can keep up, so you will find African, Asian and South American varieties. It even used to be popular in the “developed” west before the Georgian and Victorian aristocracy persuaded everyone that children should be kept as far away from their parents as possible, handing them to nannies to be genteelly wheeled around in their wonderful little perambulators.

As well as the name, Dr Sears came up with some other interesting facts, for instance, did you know that carrying your baby upright can reduce the effects of colic and reflux – definitely worth considering if you have a colicky baby (and if you do, you will try anything…I did!). Babies who are carried learn more quickly, as they spend their time being involved in your world, not just watching knees and feet – but participating; developing a brain that is learning to learn.

Some people suggest that having your baby in a sling will make him clingy. Exactly the opposite, actually. Your baby will become more emotionally secure and independent as he knows you are around as a safe base from which to explore.

Need I go on?

Well, if us mums are permitted a bit of selfishness, there are always the extra calories you burn by carrying your baby, and the way you can breastfeed discreetly, and the general snugly cuddles you both get to enjoy, which stimulate your new-mum hormones, and can help to reduce the likelihood and severity of post-natal depression. What do you do to get your baby off to sleep in a pram? You rock him and talk to him to simulate the motion and closeness of your own body.

Now who’s starting to look more “developed”?

There are a huge range of different baby slings around, and everyone has their own personal favourite, although some people switch between different styles.

It will come as no suprise for me to tell you that my own favourite is the Mei Tai, which is basically a square of fabric with straps at each corner. Because of its simple design it can be used in a variety of different positions.

Simply put though, the bottom straps are tied around your waist, and the top straps go over your shoulders and wrap around you, and are then knotted, securely strapping your baby to your body.

So, are they easy to use? Surely they can’t be as convenient as a pushchair?

Yes, they are very easy – you can go up stairs, through narrow doorways or for a pleasant summer walk. And you don’t have to push an empty one round town when junior decides he would rather walk. Not only that, but they’re light and fold up small – can you get a pushchair in your handbag? More importantly, can you afford a pushchair to go with every outfit!

But, your husband wouldn’t be seen dead in one? Well, men with babies are very attractive – remember that Athena poster; and Brad Pitt has carried baby Shiloh in one, so how can he possibly object?

Having said all that, the main benefit for me, at least to start with, was that I regained the use of my hands after months of trying to make lunch, hoover, iron and just about anything else you care to think of, all whilst holding on to my dear son. So, slings, carriers, mei tais, call them whatever you like, are starting to sound like a good idea, aren’t they?

I have to admit, I got in to babywearing almost through necessity rather than choice, but I love it now, and so does my now toddler son. The only difficulty now is choosing which fabric for the next one…

…”Children playing, having fun”

Mine certainly are, seeing as they have extended Christmas holidays!

It does look pretty, this blanket of white currently covering the UK, even if it is a litle inconvenient. As my good old dad said today, “isn’t it strange how the schools are all shut, yet the pubs and shops and soft play centres stillmanage to open”. He’s got a point, but nevermind. we are enjoying it.

This is what we have done today:

Our very own babywearing snowman – who says people should be the only ones to carry their babies! Equality for snowmen!

We’ve also been sledging, had snowball fights and then come home for hot chocolate in front of the fire.

I’d love to hear about what you have been doing, and see your photos. Please comment and leave your links below. And if you have any suggestions for other activities to keep a 5 year old and a 3 year old happy for a few more days, do let me know!

I am immensely excited to reveal that SnugBaby will be exhibiting at the Scottish Baby Show at Glasgow SECC, from 23rd to 25th April.

The Scottish Baby Show is the country’s biggest event dedicated to pregnancy, birth, baby and beyond. The show has been created especially for parents and parents-to-be and brings together over 150 of the leading specialist baby companies whose products range from car seats to childcare, prams to photography, maternity wear to nappies. And for the very first time, we wil be there too!

As well as showcasing some fabulous new designs, we’ll be officially launching the brand new organic SnugBaby! An exciting event, without a shadow of a doubt.

So, for your chance to try before you buy, and see how wonderful SnugBaby slings are for yourself, come along to see us. We’ll be doing free demonstrations, and be on hand to answer all your babywearing questions.

You can prebook your tickets, for just £6.50 (door price £8). We love to meet our customers, and hear your feedback, so please do come along and say hello. We’re on stand 426A.

See you there

I am often bashing on about how slings are great for dads too, but there is nothing like a first hand account to convince Daddy that babywearing is fun. So here is an article, written by SnugMan himself, about how he discovered the joys of babywearing…

Babywearing is just for mums ….

I’m a fairly traditional chap, and when son #1 arrived I had a fairly traditional idea of what was involved

Cot – check

clothes – check

pram – check …

Having an older sister who already had two children we inherited a bunch of bits and bobs, one of which was a fairly standard Baby Bjorn carrier. When we jetted off to the US ten weeks later it was an obvious item for the trip. That said, it was hardly used, little one was easy enough to carry – especially for a big strong bloke (Ahem …)

When we returned from holiday the carrier was resigned to the back of the cupboard, and the pram was the transport of choice. Simple, convenient, and we’d spent 400-odd pounds on it…

Son #2 arrived just under 2 years later, and 8 months later we were off on Holiday again. After a few days of carrying the (Rather clingy) 8-month old around the hills, and rugged streets of France, my wife gave the a sling a try and it turned out to be a god-send (We didn’t take a carrier of our own – but our sister-in-law had a mei-tai baby sling with her).

When my arms got tired (About 5 minutes in – I’m pathetic I know!), she would strap him on and off we’d go – tricky little lanes were a breeze, and forest tracks were a doddle. We got to see so many places that would have been completely impractical with a pushchair.

I, of course, being a beer-swilling, football watching, manly-man didn’t touch the sling at all, preferring to struggle along swapping arms every ten minutes to spread the strain rather than “look like a bit of a tree-hugger”.

My wife, of course, immediately saw the advantages (Did I mention that son #2 was a bit clingy and son #1 was toddling around like a man on a mission?) and set about fashioning her own sling for around the house, and when out and about so she could carry #2 and still get stuff done.

I, on the other hand, was still resolutely a pushchair kind of guy – after all I could always carry him if needs be – right? Well, time for a confession … I’m not even as manly as I perhaps made out (Apart from the beer-swilling!), and carrying a child in your arms for any length of time, especially when they get 6 months plus and wriggle constantly is actually quite hard work.

So, the next summer came around, and we were off again. This time we stuck to the UK, but with two children there was little space left in the boot for the pushchair once we’d got various toys, books, cuddly toys, clothes, nappies, etc wedged in. “No worries” piped the wife, “we’ll just take the sling”.

Hmmmm…

Not being in much of a position to argue, off we set. At this point Son #1 was almost 3 and a half and generally pretty good at walking, and son #2 was 18 months old and walking for short distances. If it was flat, and there were no distractions, and if he felt like it, and if luck was on your side.

In short, I was looking at two weeks of him wriggling in my arms, or on my shoulders and associated neck ache.

A few days in, having struggled to navigate shops, and events with #2 careering off into the distance in pursuit of a “big dog daddy look!” out came the sling. We were actually off that day to the Bristol Balloon Fiesta – a great event, that is hosted in a park.

A park in England … in the good old British summer. It was wet. Very wet.

Less a park, more a mud-field… and the car park was helpfully about a mile away, up what I swear was a 90 degree muddy slope.

So, on went the sling, and I felt like Saul on the road to Damascus.

Considering how heavy he was to carry normally, and how much he wriggled, the sling truly was a revelation – I could hardly tell he was there. Apart, that is, that I got to talk to him; all day we chattered, we watched the Red Arrows fly overhead together, pulled silly faces at each other, and sniffed out the doughnut stand together.

From that point on the sling was a firm favourite as I got to go out wherever we fancied without worrying about whether a pushchair would make it up the track, or whether my arms would drop off! The best bit, however was the time we spent together that would otherwise have been completely missed out on with a pushchair in the way.

My only regret about babywearing is that I didn’t put aside my macho pretences and try it sooner!

We have just taken delivery of these fabulous Leg Huggers, baby leg warmers – and they are simply gorgeous!

Leg Huggers are designed for little boys and girls on the move, whether that is crawling, climbing, running or dancing. These stylish baby leg warmers from Leg Huggers offer protection with fabulous function and flare. Made from eco-friendly bamboo, they are great for keeping legs cosy in cold weather, are terrific for showing off cloth nappies, and make nappy changes a breeze.

Beautifully soft they are ideal for sensitive skin, guarding against harmful UV rays. Leg huggers are perfect for boys and girls alike. Perfect for potty training – they make the perfect accessory for your baby sling!