Our search is now on Do you love Joy&Joe baby slings? Have you used any of our products in the past or currently? Will you like to receive free Joy&Joe baby slings and exclusive discount codes for you and your family to enjoy and rave about? *Please note that we select the slings that you receive based on several factors like the age of your little one, your location and stock levels etc Will you like to be the first to test our new products? Have you been raving to other parents about how much you love your Joy&Joe slings? Are you willing to take up a lead role in advocating for Joy&Joe? Are you very vocal in the social media sphere and offline about babywearing? Do you love taking photos/videos of you and your little one enjoying your J&J sling from time to time? Are you very friendly, polite and willing to chat with other parents online/offline about J&J baby slings? By the way this is a re-branding of our #carrymyjoy chronicles. Our carymyjoy chronicles is a customer focused initiative that showcases how our families enjoy their Joy and Joe wraps via video blogs on YouTube. We love video content at Joy&Joe but we want to make our 2016 ambassador positions open to everyone including bloggers, vloggers and babywearing advocates so that we can enjoy a good mix of your personalities and talents. How to apply:
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Hi, my name is Anne and i'm mum to 3 amazing boys, the youngest is only 8 weeks old, I'm a Trageschule trained babywearing peer supporter and advocate. I want to talk today about stretchy wraps, now I'm a big fan of all things woven but I have a real soft spot for my stretchies, for anyone who hasn't come across them a stretchy wrap is a piece of fabric that has enough stretch in it to be pre tied and baby can be put in afterwards, usually made from a soft supple jersey type fabric as opposed to a woven wrap which is woven from a variety of fabrics and doesn't have any give in it. These are really good for people new to babywearing as they are extremely forgiving of a sloppy wrap job and perfect for teeny tiny babies. An important function of any kind of carrier is skin to skin and closeness with your baby, this is where the stretchy really comes into its own, it is one of the wraps of choice for babies needing kangaroo care, which is where a baby is kept on its parents chest, bare skin to bare skin, this helps to regulate their breathing, heartbeat and temperature, boosts the mothers oxytocin hormone which is essential for bonding and breastfeeding, helps them feel safe and also is just the most amazing feeling in the world. This is especially important with premature babies. There is increasing evidence that is showing that babywearing can help prevent or help with the recovery of post natal depression too, by boosting hormones and just having the infant in contact with its parent (or carer). Stretchy wraps in particular are ideal for newborn to 6 months, they provide a gentle yet supple support for a babies developing spine and hips, they can be used for as long as they are supporting baby in the optimum positions (m shaped legs, following T.I.C.K.S) I used mine up to 12 months with my son - mainly because I was scared of woven wraps though. In the early days of a new baby, stretchy wraps are really lovely for Daddy to use, bare skin to bare skin can really help the bond between father and child, essentially if mum is breastfeeding and dad is feeling a bit left out, the feeling of being close will benefit both dad and baby, help them get to know each other and give baby comfort whilst giving mum a break to have a bath or a hot meal and brew!
Speaking of breastfeeding, once you've got the hang of tying the wrap and breastfeeding is well established you can combine them both, it takes practice but it means much more freedom (if you really have to get up and go somewhere - if you don't then make the most of being stuck to the sofa!) I find my newest boy likes to time his feeds around the school run, so this skill has become invaluable to me, and most people don't even know you're feeding until they peek into your coat to see the baby. (He once unlatched and managed to spray milk at an unsuspecting parent!). My last and most favourite thing about stretchies is they're so practical, I can tie one on then pop my coat over the top, so in nasty icy sleet on the school run I simply lean into the car, pop baby into the pre tied wrap, zip my coat (actually daddies that I borrowed as it's big enough to go around us both) up over the wrap and wander into the playground keeping us both warm and dry without any messing around with long woven wrap tails dropping in the wet, then simply pop them back out when you're back at the car without taking your coat off. Tineke Gruppelaar Dear mommy/daddy, You are in one of the most challenging and rewarding times of your lives. You want to do anything and everything to make sure your baby thrives. Sleepless nights, cleaning that little butt, feeding, cuddling, playing and even more is now part of your routine. Good moments and sometimes even bad ones, if you know what I mean. Through laughter and the tears a wrap will surely help you along the way. But be careful, one or two or six wraps might stay. Addicting is the right word for this phenomenal world of beauties. We only want the best for our little cuties. So if you feel tired, happy, stressed, wondering if you are a good parent, blissfull or simply zen, pick up a wrap so you can cuddle. Because babywearing helps with any mood or struggle. There is nothing more sacred then you holding your little one close to you. Be OK with every choice you make and everything you do. One more advice before I leave you to explore this lovely community. Be grateful, cherish each other and live in unity. You are a great parent, don't forget! With babywearing you will have no regret. Jodie Hirst Dear new baby wearer, This journey will not always be one that is easy. There may be difficulties, there may unwanted comments, there may be times you think sod it. But I can assure you that this journey will be more than worth making. The bond, the love and the sheer joy that babywearing brings is not to be underestimated or undervalued. There is something inherently magical about the warm, soft, trusting weight of a newborn sleeping on your chest, and also about the squeals of joy from an independent toddler who is enjoying your closeness while exploring the world from your back. It's a comfort in sadness, a calm retreat in stress, a much needed refuel when things are getting tough. It's feeling your baby's warm breath on your neck and knowing that all is right with the two of you. Persevere, new baby wearer, there is a whole world of love just waiting to be discovered inside that length of fabric. Victoria Brummer wow, I love FOL, and trevi is an amazing colour (plus the trevi fountain holds a special place in my heart). I would say to a new babywearer: In many ways babywearing makes you life so much easier, you will discover the joy of holding your baby close to you heart, the ease of zipping through crowds with no pram or pushchair to hold you back, the ease of putting a baby on your back and getting on with the housework and cooking, but it isn't always easy to learn. Don't be afraid of that big piece of gorgeous woven fabric, don't be terrified to buy an expensive one either -they are just like shoes, better to buy quality. And watch a lot of videos, wrap every day, you'll get the hang of it in the end. it's worth all the sweat and tears as you learn. You'll get there x Ciarán McKenna For the dads... People may look at you funny or make comments about you wearing your baby, try to make you feel less manly. There is nothing more manly than being the best father you can be, and babywearing will give your baby so much safety, warmth, love and bonding. As long as you and your baby are happy, it doesn't matter what anybody else thinks. Lenny Jacoby Welcome to baby wearing. You don’t know it yet but this piece of fabric will create awhole new world for you as a parent.
There will be days where you doubt yourself, whether you will be the parent you had always hoped to be. You will have moments where you will feel disconnected from you bubba. You will wonder if having this little human was right for you. And then with nothing else left you will pick up this wrap. You will hold you little baby close and with each tug of the wrap you will connect again. You will see a beautiful little face staring up at you. Amazed and in awe of you. Secure in your arms. That little face will snuggle into your chest, feel at peace and you will know love. You will feel each others breath - in and out - and know that you are right for each other. You will feel balanced. You will feel peaceful. You will feel loved. Alice Kendrick Welcome to the family! Just remember everyone starts at the beginning, we've all struggled with a carry or figuring out the best carrier for us. We've all drooled over the stunning custom carriers, and wept over the destruction or loss of a beloved carrier. Join in the convo, don't be afraid to ask lots of questions, and don't apologize for the state of your hair, makeup, or the mess of your home, we've all been there, most of us still are! smile emoticon Ayesha Jones Babywearing is such a wonderful personal experience that I am so grateful for. The wraps are absolutely stunning with so many variations of style and finishes that you can learn. It saved me in so many ways. It enabled me to be hands free to entertain my eldest as well as comfort my baby. You get free cuddles all of the time and once baby is used it it you can instantly feel them relax. There is nothing more comforting than feeling your baby close to your heart and feeling their breath on your chest. They start getting excited when they see the wrap when they're older which confirms that it was that the best decision I ever made when it comes to being a parent. It won't always be easy and you'll have days where you feel like completely giving up but stick with it. There are plenty of people who can offer great advice and wonderful support. Embrace every minute of it because it won't last forever and Cherish every moment. Emma Mellor Joy and Joe's come in reds greens and blues, And many other colours can be suited to you, Babywearing fits as snug as a glove, And soon you'll be coveting the 'Fountain of Love' Sam Rainbow Dear Mamma, I now right now it feels like it'll never happen. I know the beautifully wrapped baby bottoms seem impossible, and the pretty finishes seem like trying to catch smoke. Yes, I know your little one has screamed since you tried to wrap them again and again, yards and endless yards of fabric tangling itself around your arms, legs and various pieces of furniture. And yes, it's tiring, sweaty and seems unachievable. But I promise you one day you'll try and it will all fall into place. Your passes will glide, your seat will be full and most of all your little darling baby will cuddle in close and fall asleep. And you'll feel like the King of the world. The world is your oyster, you'll meet the strangest, best and most loving people and learn a whole new language of abbreviations and blends. One word of warning though - one is never enough and before you know it you'll be stashing, trading and hoarding! Welcome to the rabbit hole, it's a wonderful place! #carrymyjoy Emily Lightstone Babywearing can be magical with lots of cuddles and closeness. Sometimes the moments are less romantic when you need to calm down a crying or screaming child but babywearing works for that, too. It can help you get around or do things around the house. It can connect you to a whole network of positive, amazing people locally and also worldwide. It's another tool you can get to your parenting toolbox and I think one of the ones you will love the most. Looking back on this period, you will not regret wearing your child(ren) as much as you did but rather those time that you didn't. If it feels right to you, be confident in your decision to carry your child but don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Welcome to a life changing experience! |
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January 2025
AuthorHello, my name is Bisi, babywearing consultant (SoB CIC), mother to two cheeky & very special kids (Joy and Joseph). Our 3rd baby has been christened Joy&Joe baby wrap slings! and we loveeee babywearing :) |