REVIEW: Time Warp Handwovens 'merica

Time Warp Handwovens "'merica"
2.13m (ring sling)
100% cotton
380gsm

I purchased 'merica directly from Time Warp's website. After a few hiccups and several back and forth messages regarding shipping, it was on its way to New Zealand.

'merica arrived beautifully presented, wrapped in tulle with a handwoven storage bag. 'merica is a beautifully cushy, smooshy, soft wrap, airy yet wonderfully supportive. The depth and detail of the crackle weave make it incredibly cushy for both wearer and wearee, in this instance a solid toddler. The dual colour separating the shoulder from the body of the ring sling add an attractive, eye catching point of difference. Muted greens and grays lend  depth and add intricacy to its palette of blues, whites and reds. 'merica is one of those blankety, comforting wraps, which while thicker, has the softness and cush to embrace the squishiest of squishes, yet dense and supportive enough to make it shine as a toddler sling. Razor sharp selvedges are not something I expect to find on a crackle weave wrap of this thickness, however they were beautifully even and well finished. The shoulder was tidily and evenly finished, and cups the shoulder beautifully, the incredible  texture gave it the perfect amount of grip to prevent slipping at the rings. With a very picky shoulder, it is very rare that I find a ring sling that offers enough cush and support to suit my tastes, this however, was bliss on the shoulder and quickly became my ring sling of choice.

My one and only suggested area of improvement would be in regards to the ease of use for international customers on the website, however Natasha was friendly and helpful, and kept in regular contact via email until all shipping hiccups were sorted. I would absolutely recommend Time Warp Handwovens to other buyers.

REVIEW: Wrapture Niah Twelfth Night

Wrapture Niah Twelfth Night

59% Super Mercerized Cotton, 41% Bamboo

243 GSM

Size 5

As a lover of thick, smooshy, cushy wraps, usually I will automatically dismiss any wrap described as "thin". Once again, Wrapture has blown apart all my reasons for disliking thin and I have fallen head over heels for a thinner wrap! A wrapper of toddlers and bigger children, when I hear "thin", I hear "sag", "drag" and "shoulder pain". Not with Niah Twelfth Night! This wrap is the very definition of "bandagey", and what it lacks in thickness, it more than makes up for in beautiful, bangagey mouldability. The ridges in the delicate blue begonias give gorgeous texture, and a little grip, enough to help lock passes into place, and in a rare combination, Twelfth Night manages to have both plenty of grip and plenty of glide. The addition of bamboo as a fibre means it is airy, breathable and ultra soft yet somehow manages to completely avoid the slipperiness so often found in a bamboo blend. Beautifully floppy, yet with plenty of cush, this is the most perfect squish wrap you could hope for, but whatever magic it is that Wrapture weave into all their wraps allows this unicorn of bamboo blends to be completely supportive and comfortable with a toddler. The bold yet delicate flowers make this an elegant but easy to wear wrap, and the crisp white paired with deep blue make it a classic, the absolute  perfect match for jeans and white shirts. This is the perfect addition to any stash, and is versatile enough for those looking for a one and only wrap to cover newborn day through to the end of babywearing days.

Babywearing and negativity.

Have you ever faced criticism, or at least sneakily snide comments in your babywearing journey?  How often do we see people sharing their stories of public judgment and criticism within the babywearing community? Today I wanted to talk about some of the frequently heard criticisms and why I feel they are both unnecessary and untrue.

1. "Isn't he/she too big for that now"?

First, let's talk about whether that is physically the case. If you are able to wrap your child or get your child into a carrier, and you and your child are comfortable, then the answer is no. Wraps are designed to carry large weights. They are woven and of a quality suitable to safely take substantial weight and movement. Carriers, likewise, are designed to distribute the weight of a child evenly. The fabric, the stitching, the hardware (buckles etc) are thoroughly weight tested. Toddler and preschool carriers in particular are designed specifically to carry bigger children. Unless your child exceeds the weight or height recommendations(in which case, its time to upsize to a bigger carrier!), then again, the answer is no.

From a developmental perspective, the act of carrying a child varies little from hugging or piggybacking a child. Is your child to big to be hugged? No? Then your child isn't too big to be worn! Physical contact is a basic human need, essential to secure attachments. We as adults often seek companionship, and for many of us cuddling up to another human at the end of the day provides us with comfort and security, this is not a need that children suddenly "grow out of" at age two or three, this is basic human need.

2. "She'll/he'll never learn to walk if you carry her/him all the time".

Quite the contrary! The upright position adopted whilst being worn, along with the movement associated with a parent or caregiver's own body movements, assists in vestibular development. It also assists in the development of balance and muscle tone, strengthens the neck, back and hips which is of course, beneficial when learning to crawl and/or walk. In addition, wearing allows you to be physically active whilst carrying your child, role modeling walking and being physically active for them. Your child gains the recognition that walking takes you places, that it is enjoyable and that it affords you a range of experiences. An ergonomically designed carrier or wrap also holds your baby or child in a way encourages healthy hip development, and does not compress internal organs or the digestive system in the way that propping an infant in to a sitting position in a pushchair/high chair/baby seat can.

3. "That's dangerous, what if you trip"?!

If you trip and fall whilst wearing there IS a chance your child may be hurt. If you trip and fall whilst carrying your child in your arms they may be hurt. If you trip and fall carrying them in a capsule they may be hurt. If you trip and let go of a stroller they may be hurt. If you have a motor vehicle accident they may be hurt. The list goes on. Life can never be made entirely risk free, but babywearing is not a high risk activity, and following TICKS guidelines and ensuring you are using a well fitting, safety tested carrier makes babywearing a low risk activity.

4. "Why don't you just use a pushchair"?

You can use a pushchair by all means! However babywearing has its own benefits that go beyond what a pushchair offers. Firstly, your child is in close proximity. This means they have the comfort and security of physical contact, and they can be protected from overstimulation. A worn child has their head close to yours, which naturally leads to conversation. How often do you find yourself chattering away to your child whilst wearing? The impact this has on language development and comprehension, on their understanding of the world around them shouldn't be underestimated! Wearing can also allow you access to places that are not necessarily pushchair friendly; shops with narrow aisles, off road tracks, stairs etc.

5. "Babies die in those things"!

The tragic fact is that babies have been suffocated in bag slings. Bag slings are not recommended as suitable carriers and there is no way to make them safe for use. An ergonomic carrier or a wrap used correctly supports a baby in an upright position, preventing them from slumping, slouching or having their airways compromised. TICKS guidelines are the accepted safety guidelines for ensuring your child's safety. Following those guidelines makes baby wearing a safe, beneficial and comfortable activity for both child and wearer.

REVIEW: Beco Toddler (for The Sleep Store)

Beco Toddler SSC

100% cotton

The Beco Toddler SSC comes in a range of prints, from fun to elegant, classic to edgy. It is also available in wrap conversion and semi wrap conversion options. This was where I struggled, I really couldn't pick a favourite, so Louise kindly made the decision for me. Within 24 hours (a minor miracle in our fairly remote corner of the world!) a perfectly packaged Beco arrived on the doorstep. Folded compactly down, it was tucked into its own little zip up bag. Now let me tell you about me and folding SSCs...there is no me and folding SSCs, it just doesn't work, I always have straps poking out, uneven bulges and I generally resort to storing them in pillow slips! The first thing I did, after inspecting and admiring our new Beco, was refold it....and it folded neatly back up, and fitted straight back into its wee bag! Louise selected the orange Sloth print for us, and it suited us perfectly...fun, playful and delightfully slothy! The Beco toddler is a larger toddler SSC, and absolutely unsuitable before your child is well and truly into size two pants. It has a generously sized panel at 43 cm wide by 48 cm high. My two year old was absolutely on the cusp of comfortable fit, and I wouldn't have wanted to have put him in there any earlier. My (admittedly very small) eight year old still fitted well, with near knee to knee support. The straps are three way adjustable, with the ability to cross for more comfortable front carries. They are well padded, and adjustable from both top and bottom. The waist is fairly wide, sits flatly and has a generous pocket, convenient for car keys or in place of a wallet. Other than front carry, and front carry with crossed straps, the Beco Toddler is suited to both back and hip carries. The sleep hood snaps on and off, perfect for when you know your child just isn't going to sleep, you simply snap it off and it is out of the way. Directly opposite the snaps for the hood, is another set of snaps, which holds in place a really decent sized, detachable, zip up bag! The perfect size for a couple of spare nappies, a snack and a pair of sunnies! The Beco Toddler is very adaptable, and will suit wearers of almost all heights, shapes and sizes, although the very, very petite may find it on the larger side. All in all, the Beco Toddler is a very user friendly carrier, packed with useful features and in a range of prints to suit varying tastes.

REVIEW: Colourwarp Tempest

Colourwarp Tempest
Warp: 100% Supima®
Weft: 40% merino 30% brush tail possum fur 30% cotton

After hosting Posy Possum, I thought I had possum fur as a fibre sussed...wow was I wrong! Tempest is everything Posy Possum wasn't. While it had the same strength as Posy, that was about where the similarities ended! Where Posy was warm and snuggly, Tempest was lighter, thinner, cooler and without the airy texture of Posy. Its colours were cool and crisp, delicate details evident in its icicle-like weave. Its hand painted warp, a wintery palette of blues, whites, purples, pinks and golds, played together beautifully, giving it a classic watercolour feel. Tempest is on the thinner side, with little stretch, yet it manages to be mouldable with an ability to wrap snuggly and effortlessly. It is sturdy, strong, and has enough texture to give some grip. Although it isn't the smooshy, snuggliness that Posy was, it is still soft enough even for brand new squish skin.

Tempest is a shorter wrap, falling slightly short of a size two, and I tried it in TSC, back TSC, HJBC, ruck TUB and torso carries. It held a toddler comfortably in single layer, and even in single shoulder carries. Tempest was a pleasure to wrap with, and while its length may well put it in the too hard basket for beginner wrappers, its wrap qualities would suit any experience level. Although its wrap qualities are lovely, it is its gorgeous hand painted beauty, its perfectly balanced colours and its delicate, detailed weave that make this wrap shine for me, an absolute art work.

REVIEW: Colourwarp Posy Possum

Colourwarp Posy Possum

Warp: 100% cotton
Weft: 40% cotton, 30% merino, 30% brush tail possum fur
Length: 3.81m
Width: 68cm
358 GSM

As I picked Posy Possum up for the first time, I was struck by how warm, cozy and soft it was. Neither overly heavy nor light, it was deliciously soft but with a definite strength. Posy Possum's warm dusky pinks, along with soft gentle greens and sky blues suited its name perfectly. When I wrapped my toddler for the first time, I found this soft, cuddly wrap held him sturdily with a single pass; just the right amount of stretch and mouldability to form to him, yet still sturdy enough to hold him securely in place. The weave itself was gorgeous; a lovely amount of texture, airy yet solid with no tendency towards sagging, enough grip to hold securely but not so much that passes were challenging.
Over the course of a week Posy Possum was put to the test! From unseasonably warm days at home, to cold, snowy and stormy days in the mountains, Posy Possum adapted perfectly. The possum/merino combination meant it was warm and snug in the snow, but was also breathable and beautiful chasing cows on an unusually warm afternoon! I tried a variety of carries (HJBC CCCB, scarf carry with several tie offs, torso, Robbin's, ruck, kangaroo, FCC) and found it comfortable and supportive in both single and multi layer carries. Thick enough to tie an absolutely stunning knot or form a perfect CCCB, yet not so thick that it was anything but an absolute pleasure to wrap with. Posy Possum was here as a tester, however I am confident in saying Holly is lovely to deal with and incredibly passionate about her work.

Traveler and tester etiquette.

As you disappear down the rabbit hole, you may find yourself hearing more about traveling groups and testers. These are both excellent opportunities to try out wraps and carriers, refine your own preferences, interact with other enthusiastic babywearers, weavers and vendors, and to learn more about wrap qualities and how to put those qualities into review form. While these are great opportunities and a true privilege, there are a few responsibilities that come with the territory.

Do your research: if you are entering a tester search, or have been approached to test, look into the company/weaver you will potentially be testing for. Are their ethics in line with yours? Is their image one you are comfortable with?

Know the expectations: make sure you know exactly what is expected of you in a tester group or traveling group. A lot of the time, these groups are secret. If you are testing a wrap or carrier, keep in mind you are possibly testing an unreleased product and its creator is likely to either want to release it to the world themselves, or give you a time and place to share it. Never, ever share images of a wrap or carrier until you are sure its creator is ready for you to do so, let's liken it to the cousin who makes your birth announcement on Facebook before you get a chance to! Likewise, with a traveler group, be sure that the owners of wraps/carriers have given permission to take a wrap to meets/gatherings. This protects you as well as them and the wrap/carrier. You don't want to find yourself liable for lost/stolen/damaged wraps! Be certain that your traveler group is not secret before mentioning it to outsiders, and never add friends without checking with the rest of the group!

Know how to handle the wrap/carrier: The absolute first thing to do when you receive a wrap/carrier is inspect it. Pay attention to any flaws/stains etc. Do not wrap with it until you have done so. If required, measure it too. Feedback to the owner that you have received it and it is in good condition. If it is not in good condition, report back to the owner/organiser immediately and privately. Do not use it without further instruction from them. Reporting back immediately prevents you from becoming liable for any previous damages. Should anything, no matter how minor, happen to it whilst in your care, let the owner/organiser know immediately. Do not wash it without their instructions. Many wraps and carriers require special care. Detergent allergies are common, and washing with the wrong product can have serious consequences. Most visits have a deadline. Be precise with it. Food, animals, smoking, anything that could potentially mark or scent a wrap are not appropriate, even if they seem fine to you, they may well not be to the owner! If it is a tester, it may be on a tight schedule to get through an entire group before release. If you won't be able to meet the deadline, let the organiser know! Be clear with shipping. Does it need to be sent tracked? Couriered? Couriered with signature? Insured? Make sure you use the correct method to ship to protect yourself! Take photos of the package and forward tracking details to the person you are forwarding it to, and if required, to the owner/organiser.

To spam or not to spam? If its a tester, are you allowed to show it off immediately? If so, in what spaces? Many tester groups have a tester album for you to add photos to, as well as a space for reviews. Use them! If the organiser has been clear about where/when to share then share, share, share in those spaces. If not, ask!! Don't accidentally leak an unreleased wrap/carrier! Most people sending wraps into traveling groups like to see spam, to make sure their wrap/carrier is being loved and cared for, so by all means spam within the group. Ask permission to share outside of the group, and don't mention the traveler group unless you are absolutely certain its okay to do so! 

Reviews: be honest! Not brutal, but honest! Don't say anything untrue, don't say that a wrap is beautifully cushy if you find it thin and diggy, bring up its positives then raise any downsides later, constructive criticism helps both the creator and potential buyers. Being unnecessarily critical helps no one. If you don't feel knowledgeable enough to go into great detail about wrap qualities, don't! Tell people what you did enjoy about it instead of trying to talk a language you are still learning!

Final words: enjoy! Testing and traveling is a wonderful opportunity and a great privilege! Be courteous and respectful and enjoy this awesome adventure!!