Describe your product and how it works.
The Bear Hug Ring Sling is a basic design ring sling that works well for people new to babywearing who are looking for a carrier that is easy to use and versatile.

Are there any special design features?
With a gathered shoulder, it allows the wearer to gain maximum comfort when wearing, no matter the size of the bub. Each ring sling has a pocket built into the tail that is perfect for holding keys/wallet/phone etc. when popping in and out of shops.

What age/weight baby is this product suitable for? From birth to toddler (aprox. 16kgs)

What type of wearer would you recommend this product to?
Anyone who is after a carrier that is easy to use. Our ring slings are also perfect for the family who wants both mum & dad to be able to use the same sling.

Are there any sizing issues buyers need to be aware of before purchasing? As our Ring Sling is a one size fits most, there is no need to be too concerned about fit.

Any other details to add?
Our Ring Slings are made of 100% cotton drill in a range of colours. Each sling comes with a glossy photo instruction booklet to help our customers better understand the joy of babywearing!

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

Website: http://100knots.com.au

Tell us a little about your business/products.
100Knots baby sling carriers are made with lots of love and care by a proffesional
 moddeler/designer and a mom of 3.

When did you start your business?
I’ve started my business almost 4 years ago.

Tell us how you discovered babywearing and what impact it’s had on
 you.
I’ve discovered babywearing by recomendation from a friend. I ordered couple of slings, and loved babywearing. It made my life so much easier.

What led you to start your business?
I could not find the sling which is comfortable enough. I have a back injury, and no sling was good enough…I made my own sling, and had lots of people asking me to make them the same sling…That led to improving that model of sling, and starting to sell it.

What motivates you in your business and what makes it enjoyable for you?
The best satisfaction is when someone who just discovered babywearing writes me a letter telling how much they enjoy babywearing…Sometimes the letters I recieve are so touching, they put tears in my eyes…

What do you find challenging about producing and/or selling baby carriers?
Hm…This is a tough one…Everything…From choosing a right thread and right fabric, to final sewing and packaging…Competing with other sellers, and answering the tricky questions about babywearing…I enjoy every bit of what I do!

What is the best thing about babywearing for you?
Babies cry less and sleep longer

Do you have any other special interests or causes?
No.

What do you get up to in a typical day?
Waking up, caring for two toddlers and a baby, sewing a lot, going late to bed…It is a long day, and this would be a loong answer.

Do you have anything more to discuss? Not at this stage, but looking
 forward in writing more about slings someday.

Describe your product and how it works.
The Baby ring sling has a  special shoulder fold, which is anatomicall for wearers shoulder.  It has a pocket as well, and a toy loop.

Are there any special design features?
100Knots Ring Slings are anatomically designed for mum and baby.  The shoulder part is specially made to cup the mother’s shoulder while the rings perfectly fit in the hollow under the mum’s shoulder.  That specially developed and registered unique shoulder design that enables sling to perfectly mould into wearers body is a trademark that distinguishes 100Knots Ring Sling from other quality carriers.

It also features pocket on the front side, so you can easily carry it to the store as both: baby carrier and a purse! Our sling has an inbuilt loop as well which can be used for carrying the dummy or a toy within an easy reach for the baby.

What age/weight baby is this product suitable for?
All products are suitable from birth to age of 4 or up to 16 kg.

What type of wearer (lifestyle, personality etc) would you recommend
 this product to?
They are suitable for any lifestyle. For busy mums, for hiking, shopping, home use…

Are there any sizing issues buyers need to be aware of?
Ring sling is one size fits all.

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.

Jazslings

Tell us a little about your business/products.

Jazslings Baby Slings manufacturers and sells baby slings, JazBands belly bands and other products which are not readily available in the typical baby shop.

When did you start your business?

We started to make slings two years ago for our friends and through word of mouth it progressed from there.

Tell us how you discovered babywearing and what impact it’s had on you.

Eight years ago I went for a walk with my son and he was being really fussy in his pram so I took his muslin wrap and fashioned a sling for him so I could continue to walk. It worked a treat and I was hooked on babywearing.

What led you to start your business?

By the time I had my third son Jaz, I had tried nearly every pouch and carrier on the market. They were either too fiddly or time consuming. I needed extra hands to do clips and buckles up and need an easy comfortable sling that was easy to use. After lots of trials I created the
JazSling.

What motivates you in your business and what makes it enjoyable for you?

I love seeing mums and dads wear their children. It is important to us that the JazSling is sold a reasonable price so when someone can’t choose between two colours they end up buying both or one for their friend or grandparent as well. When customers send photos of their children who are being carried in the JazSling and are either wearing a big smile or who are fast asleep and I know that parent has a contented child.

What do you find challenging about producing and/or selling baby carriers?

The most challenging aspect of producing baby slings would be finding beautiful fabrics.

What is the best thing about babywearing for you?

I now have four children, I can still run a business, house, play with the children whilst wearing my baby.

Do you have any other special interests or causes?

We are a member of “Australian Made” and are in the process of confirming membership with “INPAA” as it is important to us to provide safe Australian Made products.

There are many children in Africa whose families have been victims of AIDS, with orphanages overflowing with children who have lost parents to the disease. The Agape Orphanage was opened by a wonderful couple Ami and Gerrit, who take in little ones and raise them as their own.

Below is a photo of one of the young ones who have had a very shaky start to life and been in and out of hospital, and soothed in a PicAnini Pouch Sling.

It’s wonderful to see babywearing stretch across the globe to help babies in need!

 Gentle Nest Baby Slings

Many people have been asking when Gentle Nest’s big reopening will be!  While a definite date hasn’t yet been set, we’re excited to say that word has it, that it definitely isn’t too far off! 

While Gentle Nest has been closed for maternity leave, lots has been going on behind the scenes!  The Gentle Nest shop has been beautifully refurbished and you can also look forward to some exciting new products!  Get ready for some amazing discounts during their Grand Reopening Sale! 

More on the reopening soon!