Guest Post by Mumtaz Surani
Everytime I visit my mom’s place in Karnataka, I’m worried about Zaa’s hair wash. The city has “hard water” (unlike Mumbai), which means it has extra minerals and salts in it. Hence, the texture of the hair gets very rough and dry.
Currently, I had visited my mom’s place and had been there for some family function for a couple of days. I had planned to avoid giving head bath to Zaa till I return back to Mumbai. It was a tough decision, but I had no option. Nevertheless, at the same time I got to know about Sebamed shampoo from my few close friends who had good experiences.I thought this to be an opportunity to try Sebamed children’s shampoo to see the results, when used with hard water.
150ml bottle of Sebamed Children’s Shampoo.
I gave her a head bath and loved the shampoo . Sharing the details and review of the same below.
Product Details :
– Sebamed children’s shampoo is for toddlers and is to be used 2-3 times a week for promising results.
– The product is available in different sizes starting from 50 ml to 500 ml.
– It’s packaged in a lovely shaped bottle that is easy to use and carry.
– All Sebamed products are of pH 5.5 , which is apt for baby’s skin.
– It has natural moisturizing agents that protects against dryness and provides extra mild cleansing of hair and scalp.
My Experience with the product :
– The shampoo is light in weight, flows smoothly and has a mild botanical fragrance that smells awesome.
– Unlike other regular soaps, this shampoo left Zaa’s hair moisturized and super soft despite using hard water for her hair wash.
– We could notice that black shine on her hair after the first wash only. They were silky and easy to comb. Eager to use the shampoo regularly henceforth.
– I could feel the mildness and texture of shampoo while scrubbing her scalp. It’s a no tears formula and dermatologically tested product.
– I loved the fact that it’s a 100% soap and alkali free product. Her hair had that pleasant fragrance even after hours and I loved that too !
Using Sebamed Children’s shampoo .
Price :
RS 417/- for 150 ml bottle of Sebamed children’s shampoo .
Availability :
Sebamed products can be found online on first cry, Amazon, nykaa, Paytm, Big Basket and Flipkart.
I purchased mine from a firstcry store in my vicinity. You should also be able to find Sebamed at several chemists and known baby-product stores like mee Mee, Mothercare etc.
About the Brand :
Sebamed is a brand of skin care products. Sebamed products are developed by dermatologists and can be used even by people with sensitive skin. The unique feature is that all Sebamed products have a pH of 5.5, which is the pH of normal healthy skin. The products are made in Germany and are marketed in India by USV Limited.
What is pH 5.5 and Why pH 5.5 ?
Just like there is normal body temperature, blood pressure and heartbeat rate for the baby, there is also skin pH for babies and the pH for skin is 5.5.
The pH is measured on the pH bar 0 indicating acidic and 14 indicating alkaline. The pH of water is 7 which is neutral. Normal, healthy skin has a pH of 5.5 which is slightly acidic and Sebamed products also have a pH of 5.5.
pH 5.5 leads to soft and smooth skin, aids in skin renewal and imparts a healthy glow to the skin and guards skin from infections. Isn’t this fact satisfying enough to happily use Sebamed ? 🤔😌
In all, I had a very good experience with Sebamed and I’m loving their shampoo. I’m amazed with the softness of her hair and the quality of the product is excellent.
Now, that Zaa has stepped in her toddlerhood, I was in search of kids shampoo for Zaa. I have always used Pears soap for bathing Zaa since her birth, but wished to switch to a good shampoo sooner. My search for the same ends on Sebamed.
Thanks for stopping by and reading.
Signing off for now.
Regards,
MumtazSurani
@tinysoul.zaa
Fububox: A Book Subscription For Little Readers- Thoughts and Review
“The simplest way of making sure we raise literate children is to show them that reading is a pleasurable activity. And that means, finding them books that they enjoy, giving them access to those books and letting them read them.”
– Neil Gaiman
I’ve grown up loving books. My dad was a writer and his articles used to be published in a renowned newspaper every week for almost a decade. This is one of the reasons why I still prefer spending on book over food any day. They say, children are made readers on the lap of their parents and I can’t agree more!
When I was expecting, I made sure to read a lot and I also researched on which books to buy for my little one. I purchased my daughter’s first set of books when she was a month and half old and I did make some good choices- except, I got all paperbacks. Little did I know that this little squish of mine will grow up too soon to tear the pages down. The first set was in pieces within 4-5 months. I learnt the hard way that it is board books that’s advisable for kids under 2. Similarly, it took me a while and a lot of trial and error to understand what author and category I should consider for my little reader.
I’m often asked by parents regarding which books to buy for their kids and honestly, answering that question in one sentence is difficult. There are a ton of factors based on which books can be purchased- like for example, age of the child, language preferences, topic of interest, budget and reading level.
I always wondered, why don’t we have Indian subscription service of books for babies like they have in several developed countries.
Well, I was wrong because there already existed one- FubuBox! 😊
One day, I was browsing through my Instagram feed and I bumped into one of their posts. I instantly got in touch with them and got one box customised for my girl. It reached my doorstep in a couple of days and we were pleasantly surprised.
Here’s what we received:
- A board book titled ‘Here Comes the Dinosaur’
- A slide and pull book titled ‘Busy Vet’ by Rod Campbell
- And a paperback titled ’The Crocodile Who Didn’t Like Water’
- A pack of play-doh
What I love about FubuBox?
- They ask you to fill a form to know the age and also understand the interest of the child
- The books are then chosen by an expert panel based on your answers
- They select only those books which are written by well known authors across the globe
- They pick books from various genres to add variety to your child’s reading experience
- They not just send books, but also a surprise gift along with the package 🙂
- They’re extremely approachable and genuinely helpful.
Services:
- They currently cater to 0-6 year olds
- They have three plans- 3 months, 6 months and 12 months
- They also design one time birthday box and gift boxes
- They make customized return boxes too
Click here to directly reach their website and here to check their Instagram page.
Thanks for stopping by and reading!
Regards,
Elina
P.S. This is a sponsored post. All the images used are mine and the opinions are genuine by all means
12 Baby Food Ideas For Busy Moms (6-12m)
Cooking for our little ones is one of the most satisfying activities, isn’t it? But here’s a confession, there have been days when I couldn’t provide her with nutritious meals due to my busy schedule and trust me, I used to feel extremely guilty about it. I’m pretty sure there’re many mothers who are going through the same.
There’s a famous quote by Bill Gates where he says, “I choose a lazy person to do a hard job. Because a lazy person will find an easy way to do it.”
I’m that lazy person :p
Here are a few baby food recipes for moms of 6-12 month old babies out there! These recipes are very quick and easy, just make sure you you do your pre-preparation and planning right.
If you’re a new mom, I’d urge you to to read my article on introduction to solids (click here) to get your facts correct before you start. Also, to read my take on baby-led weaning, click here.
Before we start, here are some guidelines for you:
1. Make sure that your recipe has at least 2-3 food groups.
2. Avoid processed and packaged foods, no matter now fancy the packaging may be.
3. Your child doesn’t need sweetness or salt in his food. Try to avoid that too.
4. Dal water, rice water or basically anything just boiled in water is not a healthy option!
Let’s delve straight into the recipes now!
Age: 6-7 months (Puréed to soft mashed foods)
1. Ragi apple/mango porridge:
Boil apple and grind it into a paste. For mangoes, you can just peel and grind it.
Take some ghee and lightly roast ragi. Add this purée and gently stir it. Add some water to make a thick paste! And voila, it’s ready
2. Sweet potato and strawberry purée
Boil and grind sweet potato with fresh strawberries until a thick creamy paste is formed. My girl loved this!
3. Beet root, banana and berries smoothie
Take boiled and chopped beet root, add sliced bananas, a few berries of your choice and some homemade curd. Blend all of this together and serve.
4. Chickoo Sheera
This was my girl’s absolute favourite. Sauté some rava in ghee, add puréed Chickoo and water. And it’s ready! You can try this with mangoes too.
Age: 7-10 months (Semi-solids to solids)
By 7.5 months, my girl was eating pretty much all solids that we did. We had a smooth transition because she loved eating on her own and showed interest in what we ate.
1. Mashed Cutlets/kebabs
I remember, this was my go-to food for a long time because she used to love kebabs
Boil potatoes and chicken (or soya nuggets/pulse of your choice). You can add blanched spinach too. Mix it all and add some lemon, finely minced onion and cumin seeds. Mix it all and dip in egg (or rawa) and shallow fry. Mash if needed or give small bite size pieces to your baby.
2. Roti porridge
Take 1-2 chapatis and chop them into small pieces. Take some ghee in a vessel, sauté cumin seeds and finely chopped onions. Add some ginger garlic paste. Then add chapattis and turmeric powder to it. Once soft, add some fresh curd and voila! It’s done.
3. Vegetable Paneer khichadi
Take dal and rice in equal amounts and soak. First, take ghee in a pressure cooker. Sauté cumin seeds and add chopped onions and tomatoes. Chop a mix of veggies and paneer and add to it. Then add rice and dal and allow it to cook in until soft.
4. Oats Upma
Lightly roasted and grind instant oats. In a wok, add ghee/oil and your regular Upma ingredients like onion, tomatoes etc. Then add oats and sauté, until it’s slightly cooked. Once done, add water, cover with a lid and cook until ready.
Age: 10-12 months (Solids)
1. Instant Coconut Idlis
Mix rava and curd in equal amounts. Add desiccated coconut (easily available) or you can use fresh ground coconut too. You can also add finely grated carrots to add some colour to it. Add optimum water until the required consistency is obtained. Place in an Idli maker and steam until done.
2. Spinach Cheela
Blanch and grind spinach. Mix it with besan (chana flour). Add water, cumin seeds powder and turmeric to it. Spread like a dosa and keep flipping until both the sides are well cooked. Grate some cottage cheese (paneer) on it and give small bite size pieces to your baby. (Can be made with moong dal too).
3. Mango, papaya and dates smoothie
Chop and grind mango, papaya and dates with a little curd and water. You’ll get a smoothie which serves as great evening snack for babies.
4. Chickpea and egg yolk patties
Soak, boil and grind chickpea. In a grinder, mix it with a clove, cumin seeds, lemon and boiled egg yolk (optional). You’ll get a smooth textured thick paste after blending them together. Add chopped coriander leaves to it. Make small flat balls and shallow fry them until well cooked.
(P.S. use just egg yolk and not the white until your baby is a year old)
Hope you found these recipes useful! Please subscribe to be notified whenever I post an article! 🙂
Have a great day and happy parenting!
Love,
Elina
(P.S. Images are for representation purposes only)
Bumberry Diapers- Comprehensive Product Review
I vividly remember, while packing my hospital bag, I was browsing through diaper options on FirstCry.com, when I stumbled upon Bumberry Diapers. Back then, unfortunately, I had absolutely no clue of the concept of advanced cloth diapering and was sure that I won’t be able to make heads or tails of it, so I decided to pick the conventional cloth nappies and a pack of disposables instead. Slowly and gradually, I learnt more and before I realized, I was exclusively cloth diapering my little one. Exactly 10 months later, I saw Bumberry make an appearance on a social media platforms too and realized it was the perfect time to try them out. So, after a month of extensive use, I’m here to share my personal experience with you all.
Bumberry sent me two diapers to review: One pocket diaper and one cover diaper along with a wet-free insert. Let’s dive into the review of all three.
Pocket Cloth Diaper with one 3 Layered Microfibre Insert
Bumberry pocket diaper comes in a package along with one insert which is apt for the diaper. It’s designed for 2.5 to 15 kg which means you can start using it right from birth and use until toddler-hood. The pack said it’s best for sleep time and quite honestly, I wasn’t convinced how a pocket diaper would perform at first, so I waited and tried using it during the day only. After one week, I mustered some courage and used it for night-time and boy! I was blown away by its performance. Even when I tried it on her for the first time, it stayed absolutely dry as if it was freshly dried in the sun- and that was after more than 13 long hours of being worn!!
It’s trim, perfectly sized and the snap buttons are placed appropriately to fit all sizes. The outer cover is soft and inner lining is great too. However, the microfibre insert doesn’t seem to be of the same quality like that of the cover diapers. Although, it doesn’t come in contact with the skin and absorbs pee really well, so I have nothing to complain about.
Price: Rs. 780/- for the set
Available on: Firstcry, Amazon, Hopscotch and their website
Cloth Diaper Cover with 1 Bamboo Insert
This cover diaper is a great day time option, especially in winters. Since it comes along with a bamboo insert- which is known for super absorption and its quick drying properties, it’s the best you can get for the season. I loved how soft the upper part of the insert is which makes it suitable for even kids with highly sensitive skin.
In my use, I noticed that it usually lasts for 5-6 hours easily after which it has to be changed.
Price: Rs. 760/- for the set
Available on: Firstcry, Amazon, Hopscotch and their website etc.
Wet Free Insert:
If you’re considering to buy a diaper for your small baby who’s extremely sensitive to the feeling of wetness and gets cranky easily, then this insert is for you! It has three layers of microfibre terry cloth with one layer of extra dry suede to serve the purpose. It’s designed to fit along with Bumberry cover diapers and miraculously keeps both the diaper and the baby’s skin absolutely dry. Of all the products, this one took me by surprise the most! I’d highly recommend trying this insert. Priced at Rs. 660/- for 3 inserts, I believe it’s a steal.
Available on: Official website of Bumberry, Firstcry, Amazon, Hopscotch etc.
I hope you found the review helpful!
Thank you for stopping by and reading.
Happy parenting!
Love, Elina
P.S. This was a sponsored post but my opinions remain unaffected by the association.
How To Choose Perfect Return Gifts for Kids?
For kids, return gifts are the most exciting part of attending parties! Yes, they love cake and balloons too, but going back home with a bag of goodies is a even more fun!
Hence, make sure that amidst all the birthday prep madness, take out some time and hunt for good return gifts for your little attendees.
To help you with this task, I’ve jotted down a few pointers which you can keep in mind while picking up return gifts for your child’s party.
1. Meaningfulness
Even if your budget is tight, make sure to give some meaningful and useful item. I’ve seen people give customised badges and tiny wallets for small kids, which is great but in my opinion, is not a very meaningful option, especially for toddlers and small kids. Choose gifts that add value to their life or have some usefulness.
2. Durability
Considering the fact that kids tend to throw and not handle things very delicately, it’s vital to get gifts that are sturdy and well made. Also, it’s best to give something that they’ll use of a long time.
3. Age specificity
Gifts can be of various types- those bought in bulk or those customised. But nothing beats getting something age specific for each child. A tiny toddler may not benefit from a keychain and a preschooler may not benefit from stacking rings. It’s okay if each gift is different from the other as long as it’s specifically for that child. That way, children will derive more use out of the gifts too.
4. Child-friendliness of the material used
Most plastic toys are made of petroleum and contain BPA, which is neither safe for the baby nor ego-friendly. Made sure to purchase toys that are BPA free or made with natural material like wood or rubber.
5. What will the child learn or derive from the gift?
Essentially, we gift toys to kids so that they can both enjoy and learn, right? Because, everything they do can be tweaked in such a way that it becomes an activity they can learn from!
Before you buy anything for the kids, ask yourself- what will the child learn from the gift you’re giving? Most kids have enough squeaky toys or random pieces which don’t add any value or learning to their lives. Try not to add to the clutter and give something for meaningful instead!
I’ve written an article on return gift ideas where I’ve jotted 10 useful and meaningful return gifts for all age groups and budgets. Make sure to check that article here.
One of the most renowned brands in this segment is Skola Toys. They’re known for their high quality and age appropriate learning toys for kids. Their stuff is made from natural wood with utmost care.
Skola Toys have come up with a line of products especially curated to serve as return gifts. What’s more, they’ve some amazing coupons and discounts on every purchase. Go check their website now!
Thanks for stopping by and reading!
Love,
Elina
Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post
How To Choose Toys To Make Your Kid Smarter?
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.”
Benjamin Franklin
A child’s brains goes through a spellbinding period of development in the first three years. It produces a million neural connections every second, which means that the child observes and learns from each and every diminutive thing he comes across!
This learning doesn’t start when the child begins to talk or displays comprehension, but it begins right from Day 1!
Did you know? At birth, children have almost all the neurons they’ll ever have in their life. These neurons double in size by one year and reaches 80% of its adult volume by the time the child turns three!
Keeping in mind the pace at which their mental development takes place and the incredible amount of potential that they possess, it’s crucial for us to make each of their activities a learning experience for them.
According to researches, kids between the age of 1-3 prefer ‘functional play’ i.e. they like to play with the same toy again and again until they master the game and gain confidence to move on to the next toy. This phase is pivotal in encouraging ‘learning skills through play’.
Moreover, consider purchasing toys that grow with the baby. For example, as the baby grows and learns more concepts of one area, their toys should also get more advanced and challenging in that specific area. When practiced in this manner, their skills get sharpened and they master even complex concepts easily.
Skola, one of the most renowned toy brands, has a myriad of Montessori inspired toys for kids between 1-8 years of age. Most of their collection involves multi-sensory approach that has been proved effective in making kids better learners, problem solvers and analysts by improving their memory, fine motor and logical reasoning skills.
Types of incrementally challenging toys you can consider for your babies:
1. Toys that enhance their fine motor skills:
Stackers for young kids and toys involving complex hand manipulations and balancing for older kids– you’ll find a variety of toys that help not only in strengthening of smaller muscles but also improve their eye co-ordination and problem solving ability.
To buy an age-appropriate toy under this category, click here
2. Toys that teach about colours and shapes:
Toys like: Matching the other half of the given object/figure, understanding the intensity of colours, pairing similar objects based on their shapes etc. are some great options in this segment.
This learning will help them in identifying individual colours and geometric shapes and distinguishing them from one another. It’ll also help them understand that both of these are key attributes of all physical objects.
To buy an age-appropriate toy under this category, click here
3. Number games:
This is one of the key areas to work on because understanding of numbers early on sets a solid foundation for all the future arithmetic calculations.
Consider purchasing toys that help in visually associating numbers with physical objects, which thus makes the child understand that each number signifies a specific quantity.
To buy an age-appropriate toy under this category, click here
4. Word games:
Did you know? Babies begin to distinguish speech sounds by 10 months! The first stage of language development is preverbal communication- where they use gestures, cues and noises to get their message conveyed. Once they’re 1.5 years old, they begin to use specific words for specific things. In order to strengthen their vocabulary, frequently using complex words with phonograms helps a lot. Not just that, it sets a firm base for reading and writing and thus making the child confident in communication.
Games that include easy crosswords or word building activities are best for this age.
To buy an age-appropriate toy under this category, click here
5. Toys that focus on pattern formation:
Such toys help them identify similar objects, arrange them through logical reasoning and comprehend distinguished patterns. It expands their problem solving skills and makes them better analysts.
Toys like building blocks or puzzles are great choices for this learning.
To buy an age-appropriate toy under this category, click here
You don’t have to always sit with a book and a pen to teach, make learning fun by including it in all the activities that a child performs!
Thanks for stopping by and reading!
Happy parenting!
Love,
Elina
P.S. This is a sponsored post.
Image Courtesy: Skola’s Official Website
Interviewing a First Time Baby-Wearer + Review of Soul’s Basic Cotton Full Buckle
Today, I have something different for you. A friend of mine recently purchased a basic cotton full buckle after getting inspired from many on Instagram. I was so happy that I decided to interview her and share her experience with you all.
Note: She bought Full Buckle (standard) Carrier in the colour Lacre from Soul Slings, India.
1. What was your reaction when you first opened the box?
When I first saw the colour of this carrier (Lacre), it made me fall in love with it instantly. It’s sophisticated maroon and has a dash of shine on it which makes it look so rich. It absolutely gives the carrier a royal classy touch and can be carried to the parties/weddings or events too!
I was truly impressed with it’s material too. As seen and heard, Soul is surely a hit when it comes to quality. I had not expected this high quality carrier before I experienced soul carriers. And the same goes with this cotton carrier.
Also, it came with a very nice instruction brochure that helps you wear your baby step wise with the do’s and dont’s mentioned, serves as a help to the ones trying baby wearing for the first time 🙂
2. How did you find it when you first tried Baby-wearing?
More than anything else, what I think has to be an important trait in a carrier is how comfortable and wearable it is. Very crucial to each one of us and this has to go with both- the baby and the mother. Only then baby wearing gets easier and is a joy! I must say, whenever I try this carrier, my baby goes off to sleep 🙂 It is equally comfortable for me too. It distributes the baby’s weight throughout my upper body, hence I’m able to use it for a longer time period too.
3. What’s your take on the quality of the fabric/s used?
As the material of the carrier is 100% woven cotton, it is surely comfortable to the baby. Especially in a place where I stay (Mumbai has a hot humid weather almost most part of the year!!). Hence the material that is used is apt and helps the baby to stay relaxed in the carrier, and feel comfy throughout the baby wearing journey.
4. What feature are you excited about?
Lacre Full Buckle supports both “front carry” and “back carry” features. Which means you and your child have an option of using the carrier either ways. I can’t wait to try back carry when she’s a little older 🙂
5. Why did you choose Soul?
For me, my child’s safety is pivotal. When I read about how safe Soul carriers are, it instantly took my heart. This feature shows how much they care for babies! I read that their waist buckles has to go through the safety loop (elastic), that ensures your baby’s safety on a higher level, which is pretty awesome.
6. What’s one advise you’d like to give for first time babywearers?
I feel one should not carry the baby for hours together in the first initial weeks. Your body needs to get habituated too 🙂
What’s your final verdict?
If you are new to baby wearing and would love to start with a basic standard carrier, comfortable and cozy enough to help both you and your baby experience baby wearing, then surely give this a try!
Additional information of this carrier (Taken from Soul’s website)
*Material : 100% woven cotton
*Weight Recommendation : 7 to 18 kgs.
*Adjustments:2-way shoulder adjustment + PFA + sliding back/chest straps
*Price : 3,750 RS.
*Colour : Maroon (range of colours available too).
P.S. Images are taken from Soul’s Official Website
Interviewer: Elina Wadia
Interviewee: Mumtaz Surani (www.instagram.com/tinysoul.za)
10 Unique Gift Ideas for New Moms
From the overwhelming experience of holding a fragile baby for the first time to the exhaustion of night long cries and cluster feeds, the first couple of months of motherhood are an emotional roller coaster! In my opinion, if there’s one group that deserves all the love and pampering in universe, then that’s the group of new moms!
If you know of someone who has recently delivered a baby and if you’re looking to gift her something special and unique, then look no further. We’ve got you covered!
Here’s a list of unique gift ideas for new moms for you:
1) Nursing Pillow:
Though breastfeeding may appear to be a beautiful thing, the initial weeks aren’t very beautiful. Why not make this journey of a new mom super comfortable? You can gift a nursing pillow which has both a soft side and a firm side. This way, the mother has the choice to use whatever side she is in the need of. Get one which also has a adjustable belt to keep the pillow in place.
Cost: Around ₹750-1000/-
2) Breast Pump:
If you’re buying a gift for someone who’s planning to resume work after her maternity leave, the best thing to give her is a Breast pump. It comes very handy for moms who have a career to pursue but don’t want to compromise on their child’s health and nutrition.
Cost: Manual Pump: ₹800-3000/-, Electric Pump: ₹3500/- onwards
3) Arrange for a Nanny or a Househelp:
Though this sounds funny and weird, but it’s the best gift you can give to a new mom, especially the one who’s put up alone or has negligible help. Cleaning the house and running routine errands would be the last thing a mother would want to do in her free time. We can reduce her stress by arranging for a househelp or even a nanny. There are several online sites which now provide with services like these in India.
Cost: ₹3000-10,000- Depending on the services and number of days you choose.:
4) Nursing Cape or Outfits:
Breastfeeding comes with its own set of highs and lows. A mother has a complicated clothing situation in order to feed. But you can ease that situation by gifting some cute nursing essentials. A soft bra that’s easy to unhook, a comfy cape to cover the baby or a warm outfit that opens easily when it’s time to feed are some great options for those tricky situations when the baby wants his food and the mother’s not in the right state to feed however she wants, like in a supermarket or a public vehicle.
Cost: ₹500/- and above
5) Pampering Sessions at Home:
A spa package is a wonderful gift but sometimes it is better to gift some good products that a mom can pick up anytime to pamepr yourself. You can gift a good eye cream for dark circles, a soothing moisturiser or a full facial set. There are many more pampering options she would definitely appreciate. Brands like MamaEarth, TheMomsCo. etc make some fabulous mom-centric products.
Alternatively, you can also arrange for a spa or a manicure-pedicure session at home for the tired mommy. You’ll find several home salon-service providers these days. It’s easy, convenient and which mom won’t like that?
Cost: ₹150/- and above
6) Professional Photoshoots:
This is my personal favourite! You can surprise the new mom with a specialises mom-baby photoshoot for them! Ofcourse, consult her before you schedule it. These photos will become a lifetime memory for her and she’ll always love you for it!
Cost: ₹5000/- and above
7) Baby Carrier:
Carrying the baby in the arms can be physically exhausting and even painful at times. What better than gifting her the joy of BabyWearing? Choose an ergonomic carrier which will provide both the baby and the new mom with comfort and class.
Featured here is Soul’s Basic Cotton Full Buckle in the shade- Lapis
Cost: ₹1500/- onwards
8) Food Baskets:
Easy, ready to eat foods are a good gift for a new mom who hardly has time to prepare a meal. So one can prepare a basket with fruit, nuts, granola bars, ready to eat munchies, soup packets and anything that a mom can eat quickly. She’ll love you for this.
Cost: ₹150/- onwards
9) Baby Monitor
If the new mom stays alone with the baby all day and is a work from home mom, then gifting her a baby monitor is a great idea. This way, she can work in peace while keeping an eye on her baby without being physically present all the time.
Cost: ₹1500/- onwards
10) Your Time:
The gift of time to a new mom is priceless. You can go to her place and take care of her baby for sometime while she relaxes or takes a shower or gets a pedicure done. There’s no gift that can beat this one!
Cost: Free!
Hope you enjoyed reading this blog post!! If you did, don’t forget to like this article and follow me to read more such posts!
Love,
Elina
BabyWearing Basics: Carrier Fabrics
Narrowed down on category of the carrier-you want to purchase i.e. Buckle-less or Buckled? Check
Chose the type of carrier you want to go ahead with? Check
But just when you’re about to place your order, you’ll notice that there are a tons of options in each category, each priced differently!
Is it just the colour or the print/weave which is different or are they functionally disparate too?
If you’re stuck, I’ve got the answers to all the queries that you may have! 🙂
Firstly, in all the categories, the basic structure and the function of all the carriers remain the same, regardless of the price! They’re priced differently due to the fabrics used.
If you’re unable to decide the kind of fabric you should go ahead with, then here’s what you can do. Decide your carrier on basis of:
- Climate of Your City
If you’re put up in a hot and humid city, choose a carrier which is thinner and moisture absorbent. If I had to explain in short- choose linen, handwoven cotton, Ikat cotton or just woven cotton (Placed in the decreasing order of thinness- based on what I observed). But if you’re put up in a colder region, I’d suggest choosing jacquard which is thicker.
Now, this is only for those who want an elaborate explanation-
If you’re inquisitive to know the extent of thinness or thickness of the one you’ve chosen, search for the same fabric in wraps category (applicable on handwoven, linen and jacquards only) and look for the term- GSM which means Grams per Square Meter. It’s basically a parameter to gauge the thickness of fabrics, especially wraps.
You can use this as a reference to understand what I’m talking about:
Image courtesy: www.sheenslings.com
Less than 180 gsm = really thin
180 – 220 gsm = thin
220 – 260 gsm = medium
260 – 300 gsm = thick
greater than 300 gsm = really thick
This will help you understand how thick thr fabric of your carrier is and will prevent you from buying something that you might regret later.
- Budget
BabyWearing can be an investment for many. If you check the website of these carriers, you’ll notice that there’s a myriad of options available at various prices.
Now the question is- What are the different types of fabrics used and why is there a massive price difference between them?
The prices of these carriers are set based on the quality of fabrics used and the extent of effort that goes in manufacturing these fabrics.
For instance, linen and handwoven cotton are expensive because they’re not easy to produce. However, machine woven cotton is easy to manufacture, hence it’s relatively inexpensive.
Like I mentioned earlier, regardless of the cost, their functionality remains the same.
Here’s an elaborate explanation of the types of fabrics you’ll usually find:
1. Linen
Linen is one of the most toughest to produce and hence it’s one of the most expensive fabrics available in the fabric world.. This is the reason why linen carriers are generally priced way higher than other carriers. Moreover, it is known to have anti bacterial properties and can absorb moisture, which makes them one of the best options for Indian summers, or generally speaking, Indian weather.
The only downside is that it’s only produced in solid colours. So, if you’re looking for a prints or designs, this may not be your pick.
2. Handwoven Cotton
Handwoven cottons, like linens, are difficult to produce. They’re weaved manually by artisans and take a lot of time and effort to manufacture, hence are slightly expensive. However, they’re available in stunning weaves and give a very classy look when used. Since they’re weaved by hand, they’re great flexibility and mouldability. If you check the list of full buckles made with handwoven cotton, you’ll notice that there are two options- one in the mid-range and one, high-range. This difference in the price is because of the amount of fabric used in the carrier- which is in BabyWearing terminology called- Full conversion and semi conversion.
Understanding Full Conversion and Semi Convesion Carriers:
Now, the thing with handwovens made from wraps, and hence are categorised in two types. The Full conversion one has only handwoven cotton used- in the body, waist strap, shoulder straps etc. But, semi conversion carriers have handwoven used only in the visible part of the body while the waist strap, shoulder strap and the main body which is towards the inner side is made of machine woven cotton.
Semi conversion carrier are a great option for those who want the rich look of the handwoven weaves but don’t want to burn a hole in their pocket.
3. Jacquard
Jacquard fabric requires a different loom which helps in manufacturing complex patterns and weaves. This is why, you’ll see a variety of designs and colour combinations in the jacquard category. It’s usually the thickest of all fabrics and this property helps in making carriers more firm and strong.
4. Ikat cotton
Ikat is basically a dyeing technique where the yarns are tied or bundled in the design intended and then dyed so that a beautiful pattern is obtained. This process is also time consuming as the fabric may have to go through several rounds of dyeing to reach the desired level of colour fastens and pattern. Which is why, Ikat cotton is sightly more expensive than the basic cotton variant.
5. Cotton/ Machine woven cotton or Printed Cotton
Woven cotton or machine woven cotton is the easiest to produce and hence is the most inexpensive variant. It’s not very thick nor very thin, making it a great option of Indian weather. It is firm yet mouldable and is comfortable to use too. In short, it’s a great budget friendly variant for begginers.
I hope this article helps you make the right choice! Hope you enjoyed this series
Thank you for all your love!
Happy BabyWearing to you!
Love,
Elina
BabyWearing for Beginners: Which Carrier is Best For You? (Part 1- Buckle-less)
If you’re new to BabyWearing and you happen to check the types of carriers, I’m sure all of it may appear to be very confusticating, especially if you have never seen or tried any before.
I had the exact same feeling when I first came across the concept. I was so unsure of the whole thing and even hesitated to invest in one. Seriously.
If you’re apprehensive too, then this article is for you! 🙂
To make it easier to understand and less confusing, I’ve divided this topic into 2 parts: Buckle-less and Buckled Carriers.
Let’s just discuss the buckle-less variants in this article to simplify it. I share more about the buckled ones soon.
Types of buckle-less carriers:
1. Ring Sling
A Ring Sling is one of the most inexpensive and widely used options of all carriers. It’s basically a long cloth with rings on one end. The other end of the fabric goes inside these rings, making a pouch for the baby to sit in.
Age range: Newborns to preschoolers
Difficulty level: Medium to hard for beginners. Once you get a hang of it, it’s a lot easier.
Price: Starts from ₹1,500/-
Pros:
1. If you’re looking for a budget friendly and durable option, this one is for you.
2. It can be wrapped creatively by those who love playing around with various finishes.
3. Takes less space in diaper bags.
Cons:
1. Slightly more time consuming to use.
2. If you and your partner both plan to carry, take his consent first. Men generally don’t like using Ring slings.
3. Not the most comfortable option to breastfeed. Atleast I didn’t find it very user-friendly. Although it can be used as a cape to cover yourself while nursing.
2. Wraps
Wraps are one the oldest types of carriers. They say there are two types of babywear-ers. 1. Wrap-lovers and 2. Others 😝
Yeah, the ones who love wraps don’t opt for anything else. Because a wrap gives the most cushion-y feeling, snug fit and mouldabity like none other. Although I’ve never tried, but I honestly can’t wait to try one. Probably very soon, once I master all the other types.
Age range: Newborns to preschoolers
Difficulty level: Medium to hard for beginners
Price: Starts from ₹2,800/-
Pros:
1. One of the biggest pro of wraps is the fact that they can be used with ample of creativity. You can make bows, knots and finishes that look absolutely stunning.
2. They grow with the baby. Meaning, theycan be used right from Day 1 until the baby decides to finally stop being worn!
Cons:
1. Beginners may find it a little difficult to wrap, but once they nail it, there’s no looking back.
2. It takes relatively more time to wear in a wrap. May not the best option while dining out or going to a market for shopping, especially in India, because if the baby insists on coming out of it, wearing it again might be a task.
3. Meh Dai
A Meh Dai is a hybrid of a wrap and a Full Buckle. It has a proper body, like that of a full buckle and straps to knot for firmness and sturdiness, like a wrap.
Age range: Babies weighing 7kgs and above
Difficulty Level: Easy to Medium
Price: Starts from ₹3,500/-
Pros:
1. Its a perfect carrier for people like me and who like the versatility and mouldability of wraps but are to hesitant to try them.
2. Far more adjustable than Full buckles
3. Takes lesser space in diaper bags while giving almost the same look as that of a full buckle.
Cons:
1. Slightly more time consuming as compared to Full buckles
2. If worn incorrectly or loosely, might cause back ache. Although that’s applicable for all carriers. But I experienced this, hence shared.
3. Might require tightening if the knots get loose.
I hope you found this helpful. Please like, comment, subscribe and leave some love!
Thanks for reading.
Elina