Focus on Bear Hug Baby!

This week Belinda tells us about her sling business, Bear Hug Baby.

Website:  http://www.bearhugbaby.com.au

Tell us a little about your business/products.
Bear Hug Baby has a wide range of carriers for babies through to toddlers. Ring Slings, Pouches, Wraps & Square Tais. We also carry other babywearing accessories such as Baby Legs & the Tummy 2 Tummy Babywearing DVD.

When did you start your business?
BHB has been running for just over 3 years. We made our very first sale in July 2004.

Tell us how you discovered babywearing and what impact it’s had on you.
When our daughter was born, I knew I would need something to help me get out and about with both her and our son. Our son, Connor is autistic, and having both hands free is very important.

When our first daughter was a baby, wearing her was the only way I was able to get around daily tasks with Connor, as well as get him & myself out of the house. I did some more reasearch on what was available as Rhiannon got heavier, and found a serious lack of products available in Australia, so set about making them myself.

What led you to start your business?
I kind of just stumbled across the business side of things really. I got requests from friends, & then friends of friends, and it just blossomed from there.

What motivates you in your business and what makes it enjoyable for you?
Being at home with my 3 kids is the most motivating factor. The most enjoyable thing is receiving emails/phone calls/letters from customers thanking us for helping them out. I love to hear the little stories that my customers have to tell me of how babywearing has saved their sanity!

What do you find challenging about producing and/or selling baby carriers? Keeping up with demand is getting way too much. We are currently in the process of expanding quite a bit, and finding the right people to help us has been a challenge in itself.

What is the best thing about babywearing for you?
I love being close to my baby! I love that she can sleep soundly on me, or happily chat away when I’m working, out and about or tending to the other kids. She doesn’t miss out on a thing because she is always right there in the thick of it!

Do you have any other special interests or causes?
BHB has recently signed up with the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation here in Brisbane, to donate $2 from every sale to their Working Wonders Foundation. We have spent quite a bit of time in the hospital with Connor over the past 6 years, so this is our way of giving something back.

What do you get up to in a typical day?
After getting Connor off to the therapy centre or school, the daily task of answering emails, processing orders & returning phone calls is always first. Then it’s onto making up or packaging orders and usually a trip to the post office. There is always time squeezed in for playing with a bit of play dough, finger painting, baking & outside play. That is my favourite part of the day

Bear Hug Baby

We’re excited to say that Bear Hug Baby is a sponsor for the Great Down Under Nappy Hunt!! Hunters get 10% off storewide when they use their promotional code!

Focus on… Jazslings Pouch

This week we look at the Jazslings Pouch 

Describe your product and how it works.
The Jazslings baby slings are the easiest and most practical sling. Its design is based on the traditional native sling. Babies love to be  carried, it is easier to form a bond with them and it can reduce crying.

Taking a balance approach to carrying your baby may reduce sibling rivalry as it allows to mother to have her hands free so she can mother both children well.

The sling can have a calming effect on the infant as they are moving and may reduce babies crying significantly. By spending less time crying the energy will be directed at growing and thriving.

Are there any special design features?

The sling is designed so that is safe for baby. There is a curve sewn into the sling, which will keep the sides up on either side of your baby.  The Jazslings will properly support the developing curves of the young spine and safely contain your baby.

What age/weight baby is this product suitable for?

From premmie to todder (16kg)

What type of wearer (lifestyle, personality etc) would you recommend
 this product to?

Any parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, friend who likes to accessorize by wearing a baby.

Are there any sizing issues buyers need to be aware of before
 purchasing?

There is a custom sizing chart which can be found at our website www.jazslings.com.au

The perfect fit is where your baby is very close to your body. Baby feels very snug and secure, in the cradle position the baby may look a little squashed but if they are content and you are comfortable then it’s the right size for you. If you have difficulty getting the baby in and the Jazsling sits well on you then you could just need a little more practice. The higher the Jazsling sits the better, your baby should always sit above your hip.

Too small: The Jazsling will feel too tight and be uncomfortable for you and baby, it will be very difficult to get your baby in.

Too big: The baby will sit lower than your hip creating back strain.  You may find that the sling will slip off your shoulder.  Exchange the pouch.

Measure yourself from the middle of your shoulder diagonally across your body in line with your belly button. This should be below your waist but above your hip.

Any other details to add?

We believe that the more natural fabric you can use the better for the baby.  That is why the majority of JazSlings are made of 100%g Indian Cotton.  Indian cotton is comfortable, breathable and more natural for the baby.

We also offer other fabrics such as drill, twill and a cotton/lycra mix.

We have recently extended our range of baby products to include;  JazBand Belly bands, nursing bracelets, aromatherapy, baby wraps, nappy bags, wallets and doll slings.