Here in Holland, other carriers can be seen on occasion, especially woven wraps, but the BabyBjorn is still the carrier of choice and I really hope that changes soon, or that BabyBjorn consider changing their carrier. And why is this?

- For starters, the BabyBjorn carrier and others of the same ilk are nicknamed in some circles “crotch danglers” because babies simply hang from their crotch, there is no support for their hips. I shudder at the sight of a sleeping baby simply hanging off the front of their parent. If an adult were to hang like that, it would be very uncomfortable and would only continue to be more so, the longer carried. The legs should be supported, at least to the knees. I don’t think enough research has been done on the long-term effects of this but it surely can’t be comfortable.
- Putting a baby in a forward facing carrier bends their spine at an angle that is contrary to what is natural for a baby and also causes their weight to lean forward, which impacts both the baby and the wearer. Everybody knows about the fetal position, it’s the position babies prefer in birth, as well as post birth (it’s a familiar position for adults too), so how can a baby be comfortable stretched out like that?
- Young babies cannot hold their head up as they lack neck strength, so an upright position is unnatural. Though the carriers come with a neck supporter it must be an uncomfortable, and potentially damaging, position to be in (I’ve never discussed this with a chiropractor but I may just do that soon)
- Babies, even older babies, are easily over-stimulated; they prefer the comfort of the dark, the face of their mother and familiar sites. Carrying them in a forward-fading position may overstimulate them and they cannot turn away or rest their head, their only option is to go to sleep, which means they have falling asleep for the wrong reason.
- On a similar note, when a forward carried baby is tired, they cannot rest their head on something comfortable, they simply hang and their head lolls, which is not good for the newly-developing neck muscles.
- I’ve heard that it is quite uncomfortable for the wearer, compared to other carriers, because the weight is distributed mostly on the shoulders.

As to other options, it depends on the age and weight of the child and personal preference:
- There are all kinds of wraps, most of which are made from a single, long piece of material and the are either woven or stretchy. These can take quite a bit of practice to get used to but there are many ways to wear them and can go from newborn to toddler. There are many different companies and individuals that make wraps, in different designs, materials and lengths. Ask around and if you can find someone, there are people who run baby-wearing workshops so that you can learn the ropes, so to speak. Once you get the hang of wearing one, wraps are very versatile and comfortable. Popular brands include Natibaby, Moby Wrap, Sleepy Wrap, and Dydimos.
- Mei Tais and ring slings are simple, small and easy to use but are probably only comfortable for the wearer for short periods as they don’t distribute the weight very far. If you are crafty, there are free patterns online so you can make your own. Some allow side-carrying for older babies. Some of the wrap makers also make Mei Tais.
- Soft structured carriers are generally for older babies to toddlers; they are designed to be simple to put on, distribute heavier loads more comfortably and give the baby some freedom of movement while still being supportive to their hips and allowing them to sleep comfortably. Most come with a hood which can help support the head while sleeping. Brands include ERGO, Boba, Manduca and Bondolino.

Here are some things to consider when looking at different carriers:
- Are the baby’s hips supported if carried upright? Are the legs and spine in a natural, comfortable position?
- If the baby is carried in a hammock hold (curled up on their back), does it have enough air to breathe and is there some room to move? Some carriers are warned against because the baby’s neck is older too close to its chest, making breathing difficult
- Can the infant rest its head comfortable when tired or overstimulated? Can the infant make eye contact with the wearer for reassurance?
- Is it comfortable for the wearer? Where is the weight distributed?

Some baby wearing tips:
- When dressing your baby, factor in your body heat and the extra warmth from the carrier so that the baby doesn’t overheat. Men generally radiate more heat than women so consider this too, if the baby is being carried by a man.
- Limit baby wearing to no more than a couple of hours a day. While it is comforting and sleep-inducing for the baby, it is also restrictive to their movement. Babies are constantly moving, which aids their physical development and when awake, they are constantly learning through sight. Also, being in the same position becomes uncomfortable for the baby and no doubt also for the wearer.
- Avoid forward-facing carries at all times, for the above reasons, but consider a back carry for older babies and toddlers, it can be more comfortable for the wearer, they may enjoy facing forward but still be able to see you and rest their head, and it allows your hands more freedom. Babies with good neck control can look around quite well in a structured carrier, they don’t need to be forward facing while carried in front.
- You may find yourself wearing your baby more often than using a pram/stroller so it’s wise to consider investing in a good carrier (or two) and a cheaper pram.

If you are considering baby wearing, please do some research first, and if unsure, talk to a chiropractor who specializes in babies. Here is a great safety checklist for carriers.

As for me, I started out with a Sleepy Wrap, which is a stretchy wrap and took me a while to get used to, but we loved it, then when he was 5 months,we moved to a Boba (made by the same company), which is still much loved and used many times a week, and my son is now about to turn one.

We’re having an owl theme for E’s birthday, and so far I have made one owl table decoration, which took me an evening. I’d like to make some more if I get the time, of different types. I’m organising catering as I don’t have the equipment nor the desire to cater for 8 babies, a toddler and parents. I’ve bought little toys and bubbles to give to the younger guests and I was so disappointed with the choice of gift bags that I almost decided to make my own but I found some today in Hema that will suffice. Good thing too as I rally don’t have the time for all the things I’d like to make.

The quilt will be for Master E for Sinterklaas (or most likely, Christmas) using a gorgeous Alexander Henry fabric that I spotted on Etsy.com and fell in love with (owls again). I had to order it from the US because it’s an old design, so I’m waiting for that to come while working out other fabrics, finding a pattern, figuring out what other tools I need and learning what I need to do.

I’m also looking into organic cotton bedding for our bed – we have two sets of which one we’re not keen and I’d love to have some beautiful, so soft, bedding and a gorgeous top blank for the winter, especially as E spends a lot of time in our bed. We’ve decided this will be a christmas present to ourselves.

So, while we farewell what was the coldest, wettest summer in this city in over 100 years, I look forward to snuggly times indoors, indoor activities with my almost-walking-almost-toddler and the picturesque beauty of Amsterdam in autumn. And if this year is anything like last, we’ll have snow in about 8 weeks!

www.janetlansbury.com/

English (AUS)  -  English (US)  -  Dutch
Dummy   –  Pacifier   –  Speen(tje)
Nappy  – Diaper  – Luier
Pram/push chair  -  Stroller  -  Buggy/Kinderwagen
Baby grow/Grow suit/Onesie  -  Onesie  -  Romper(tje)
Sleeping Bag  – Sleep Sack  -  Slaapzak
Doona (Quilt in GB) – Duvet – Duvet/dekbedovertrek

So, here are a couple of things I’ve made lately, and they weren’t for Baby E, they were for ME!

This pear pincushion was inspired by http://uklassinus.blogspot.com/2007/11/its-all-gone-pear-shaped.html – I’ve been needing a pincushion for a while and I loved this simple pattern.  I used the same two fabrics to make a sewing machine cover.

This needle book also comes in very handy and was inspired by http://littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com/2010/03/how-to-make-felt-needle-book.html.  I made it fold into three rather than in half, so that it is smaller to store and it is all from scrap felt and an old button.

My craft table:

I’ve spoken to a few mamas and soon-to-be mamas lately about modern cloth nappies and how overwhelming it seems to begin using them.  You almost need a special nappy dictionary when trying to figure out what the options are, how to wash them, etc.  I waited until Baby E was 3 months old and slowly began to immerse myself in the cloth nappy world and find it is actually very easy when you know how (like most things!) so I’ve decided to share a quick, plain-English description of what I do.

I first bought a trial pack of 5 Bitti Tutto One Size Fits Most nappies from Itti Bitti (ittibitti.com.au) and have slowly been adding to the collection.  I decided to go with Itti Bitti for a few reasons:

1. Itti Bitti was started by an Australian mum
2. Other mums have recommended them to me
3. They have only poppers, no Velcro (Velcro degrades after a while)
4. They are easy to wash
5. They are reasonably priced and available in Holland (from kaatjekatoen.nl)
6. You don’t need a waterproof cover
7. They are gorgeous – beautiful colours and lovely soft material

Itti Bitti have a range of three different nappies:

1. Bitti Tutto – One Size Fits Most: These nappies grow with your child.  You simply change how you configure the poppers (easier than it first appears!).  Each nappy consists of an outer shell and three separate inserts of different sizes.  The shell and boosters have colour-coordinated snappers so when  you decide how many inserts you need (depending on how heavy a wetter your baby is) you simply pop them in and put on the nappy.  Let me tell you, this is VERY dad-friendly.  You can also buy extra inserts and change only the inserts, reusing the shell if it is dry.  This means you need fewer nappies.  Because Baby E is a light wetter during the day I tend to either use the largest insert alone or the small + medium together, getting at least two wears out of a shell.  The Bitti Tutto’s also have a “poo fence” to prevent poo leaks, which has worked so far for us!  The disadvantage of a One Size nappy is the added bulkiness.
2. Bitty D’Lish – Snap in One:  These are like Bitti Tutto’s in that they have inserts which you can snap in with colour-coded snappers, only they come in three sizes so while they don’t serve you for as long, they are less bulky (they also don’t have the “poo fence”).  The inserts are different from the Bitti Tutto ones but they have the same colour-coded snappers so it’s possible to mix and match the inserts, we have got away with it a few times.
3. Bitty D’Lish – All in One: These are the easiest to use but the least economical.  As the name suggests, they are all in one so you cannot re-use the shell, if the nappy gets wet, it’s time for a new one.  (There it the possibility of adding in an extra insert, however, for very heavy wetters).  Again, they come in three sizes.  These are the most dad-friendly but they take longer to dry.  I’ve accidentally left Baby E in one of these overnight and he was still leak free in the morning.  This cannot be said for the other nappies, so I tend to put him in a disposable overnight, to save on getting up to change him (as mentioned, he IS a heavy wetter overnight, and we use bamboo disposable nappies so I don’t feel guilty at all).

The process

One of the daunting things about using MCNs (Modern Cloth Nappies) is the cleaning/drying process.  Here’s what I do:

• I reuse the shells when I can but whenever an insert or shell is wet I put it into a dry bucket lined with a mesh bag.  If there is a small poo I also put these in the bucket (Baby E is still exclusively breastfed so there’s nothing to scrape/shake off…).  If there is a major poo, I put the nappy into a bucket of water with some Tea Tree Oil.
• Every 2-3 days I throw the mesh bag, any poo-ridden nappies, the cloth wipes that I use (Cheeky Wipes – cheekywipes.com) into the washing machine along with any dirty muslin cloths, change pad covers, etc.  I wash them at 40 degrees with a pre-wash setting and use only Ecover detergent (this is what I use on all our clothes as well).  I don’t add softener as this can detract from the absorbancy of the nappies, nor optical whitener but I do add some Eucalyptus oil to help kill germs and make them smell nice.  Once washed, I throw the lot into the dryer (minus the Cheeky Wipes which can be put back to use without drying).  Once dried, they’re folded and put away for use again.

• Every now and again I wash the dry bucket out and sprinkle some Eucalyptus in it to stop it smelling of ammonia.
• Every couple of months I do an extra wash and rinse, adding vinegar to the first wash to “strip” wash the nappies – this removes traces of urine and detergent left behind which starts to make them smell and reduces absorbancy.
• Any inserts which come out a bit poo stained I put in the direct sunlight for half an hour or so to bleach them back to white (it’s like magic!)
• That’s it! I’m sure there are other ways to do things and there’s a large range of other MCNs out there but this is what works for me (and my husband, he has no problem with using these nappies).

Tips

See if you can get a deal on a trial pack or borrow from a friend to see if the nappies fit your baby first (or you can go with One Sized nappies).

You can use most normal washing powders or detergents but it’s best to use something gentle for the sake of your baby’s skin.  Absolutely do not use a powder which contains enzymes – enzymes are activated when they are wet and start to break down dirt; nappies get wet for obvious reasons and enzymes don’t know the difference between dirt and a baby’s soft bottom.

Don’t buy too many nappies at one go, build up your stock slowly and if you use snap in nappies, buy extra inserts so you can reuse the shell.  There are recommendations on some websites to buy 15-20 nappies to last you 2-3 days.  Granted, I mostly use a disposable at night, but I still get away with only 9 nappies in 2-3 days (I’ve bought only 2 extra sets of inserts).

Cloth nappies do add bulk so watch out for clothing sizes, you may find pants and rompers no longer fit.  You can buy romper extenders but I’ve found they are only useful with about 10% of my rompers.  If you’re handy with a sewing machine, the Big Butt Baby Pants pattern will make your day, I’ve made Baby E a few pairs of these from different materials (including an old stretched T-shirt I wore while pregnant).

A few people have asked me about the environmental impact of MCNs vs. disposable nappies (because you still use electricity and water to wash them).  My reply is that there are studies which show that MCNs have the least impact, and since a baby is a little person they are going to have an environmental impact no matter what.  Plus, every disposable nappy ever made still exists today.  MCNs are at least reusable, and if you have more children or sell them on the impact (and cost!) is reduced even further.

In the summer all your baby needs is a beautiful cloth nappy and a T-shirt!  You can get beautiful covers to go over nappies but I find Itti Bittis are gorgeous enough without needing a cover.

Update

I realise this post is very Itti Bitti-centric and have since bought some Fuzzi Bunz (an American-made nappy) which I find work a lot better on Master E – they are a pocket nappy and with them we experience fewer leaks and with two inserts at night we get through the whole night without a change or a leak, so no more disposables!  I’ve also started using them when out and about and to transport them back home I use the beautifully-made and patterned Monkey Foot Designs wet bags.

Now my son is just over four months old and in that four months we’ve already seen so many different stages and so many changes that it feels like a bit of wild ride trying to keep up with him.¬† We get through a fussy period, adjust things to keep everyone happy, get into a routine and then he reaches another milestone or developmental change and we have to reassess all over again.¬† A lot of these changes are to do with his sleep schedule and settling routine but also feeding and play time.

It came as a small epiphany to me when my son was five weeks old and I was struggling with getting him to sleep one evening that he was no longer a sleepy newborn and needed my help to go to sleep before becoming overtired.  This week another change Рa new phase of development requiring a new routine and after a day of adjustment it became easier to get him to sleep.  Woohoo, I feel like a parent!

What I’ve learned is most important about my role as a parent is to really try and listen and watch his signals so that I can anticipate what his needs are and then step in to make the necessary adjustments and help him through the transition.¬† And no book can teach you that because every baby is different, babies develop at different rates and every family has its own way of doing things*.

Now, I’m much more relaxed about being a parent because what I’ve learned is that there are things that he’ll teach us and the rest we’ll have to make up or deal with as things arise.¬† If we pay close attention to his cues, he’ll tells us when things need to change and in what way.¬† The rest we’ll figure out as we go along, with the help of friends, family and our old friend Google.¬† With any luck he’ll grow up well-adjusted and not hate us!

* There IS one book that can prepare you for the predictable fussy periods in a baby’s/toddler’s growth and that book is called The Wonder Weeks (www.thewonderweeks.com – their website has lots of free and great information).¬† The book was written by a Dutch couple and is called “Oei, ik groei!” in Dutch (www.oeiikgroei.nl).

De Geboortewinkel – There are a few technical errors on the Geboortewinkel site which are annoying but I have ordered quite a number of products from them because their delivery is quick and reliable, they have a good range of general baby-care products and they are often cheaper than anywhere else.  www.geboortewinkel.nl

Ekobebe – A great range of organic, ecological and ethically-friendly baby clothes, skin-care, teething and other baby care products.  They have some beautiful products and they are also quick and reliable.  They don’t take online payment but provide an account number for a direct transfer.  www.ekobebe.nl

The English Bookshop – This great little shop has a fantastic range of pregnancy, birth and parenting books as well as a selection of carefully chosen children’s books.  They also sell good quality second-hand books.  shop.englishbookshop.nl

Kaatje Katoen – I bought Baby E’s cloth diapers from here (Australian brand Itti Bitti) as well as Baby Legs (also Australian: www.babylegs.com.au) and a variety of other handy products.  They also now stock the fantastic Cheeky Wipes from the UK (www.cheekywipes.com) and also Weleda products. www.kaatjekatoen.nl/webshop

Other Dutch webshops I’ve ordered from for Baby E without any issues include Villa Vrolijk (www.villa-vrolijk.nl), Prénatal (www.prenatal.nl), and Bonne Bonne (www.bonnebonne.nl) and I love the UK store www.lovetobenatural.co.uk – I ordered my Sleepy Wrap from there and the staff were fantastic when it was lost in the post (not uncommon in Holland, unfortunately, it’s happened a couple of times!).

Do you know a great web shop with unique and/or beautiful products you’d like to recommend? Tell me about it.

Whenever you put your baby down for tummy time, place a toy in front of him or talk to him to make it more fun and as soon as the baby starts to complain, pick him up.

• Prop your baby up on a firm cushion or rolled blanket (further cushions either side will protect your baby if he decides to roll) or in the bend of a nursing pillow.
• Give your baby tummy time on your chest – you can make this fun with kissing, singing and talking to him
• In a big bath, support your baby’s chest with your hand (hold on to the opposite arm) and let his legs and arms hang free. If his face dips into the water don’t panic, slowly raise him out. Some babies find it frightening to go from a baby bath to floating in a big bath straight away so introduce this slowly.
• While you are sitting on a chair, lay your baby on his tummy across your knees. I find this great in a restaurant if I need two hands to eat and Baby E will happily look around him for a while.
• Sit cross-legged on the floor and prop your baby so that his feet are in the gap between your legs and his chest is over one of your knees. When he gets tired you can turn him to his back and sit him in the crook of your legs. You can still bounce your baby with your legs while keeping your hands free.

I didn’t start my baby shopping bonanza until the day I had my 20 week scan and found out I was having a boy.  Shopping for Baby E has been fun but also a little confusing – what will I use?  What will he like?  What do I really need? Of course, all babies really need is a place to sleep, milk and love and affection.  But there are definitely products out there that make things easier and more fun for a baby.  I’ve tried to keep purchases to a minimum but buy quality and go natural where possible and I’ve even made a few things myself.  Of course, sometimes you just want to splurge on something extra special.  I’m happy to say though that there are few things I regret and nothing I haven’t used.

So, in no particular order, here are my favourite baby-related purchases so far.  Keep in mind that my baby is only 4 months old so things like feeding-related items are still to come!

Bugaboo Bee + Cocoon + Maxi Cosi

I chose Bugaboo because of their versatility, sturdiness and because they’re a Dutch company.  I chose the Bee because it is the smallest and most light-weight of the strollers – important in a city like Amsterdam, especially when you live in a second-floor apartment.

The cocoon is worth its weight as it has not only allowed our Bee to be comfortable for our newborn (especially in this cold weather) but because we opted to skip the cradle and put baby straight into the cot we’ve used it in the cot to provide a cozier environment.  We’ve also slept him in it on the couch.

I chose not to buy a Maxi Cosi when I was still pregnant as I didn’t see the need for one but after ending up in hospital giving birth and needing to borrow one from a friend to get baby home, my husband went out and bought one on sale.  It’s been used regularly ever since – both as a car seat and with the adaptors on the pram.

Visit the Bugaboo website

Ikea Baby Gym

I searched for a long time for a baby gym that I liked but the only ones I liked were wooden (and mostly very expensive).  Ikea’s baby gym is simple, sturdy, inexpensive and I can hang additional toys if I want to.  Baby E loves it!

Visit the Dutch Ikea website

Snoozebaby Dutch Pride play mat

I bought this when I was still pregnant and loved it.  Baby E loves it too, he loves staring at the pattern on it and has recently discovered the ribbons.  I also have the comfort cloth and change mat from the same range.

Visit the Snoozebaby website

Boob B-Warmer Nursing Hoodie

Great for when I’m out and about with Baby E – looks good and keeps my breasts away from both prying eyes and chilly air.  The fleece lining is also great for absorbing leakage.

Visit the Boob website

Baby Legs leg warmers

So cute and warm.  They go great with our Itti Bitti nappies and they’re great for starting with Elimination Communication.

Visit the Baby Legs website.  Baby Legs are available in Holland through Kaatje Katoen.

Nursing pillow

I got a Hema cheapie when I was about 4 months pregnant and it was great for my hips and back when I was pregnant, invaluable when I was learning to breastfeed Baby E and now handy for comfortable feeding at night.  I’ve also sewn a cover for it which turns it into a play cushion for Baby E (you can buy similar covers from www.kidzimpulz.nl).

Visit the Hema website.

Toyota Jeans Sewing Machine

This simple but sturdy sewing machine was a hit with me and my friends when it was half price at Blokker.  Though not baby related, I’ve made quite a few baby things with it both for Baby E and for his cousins.  I think it’s paid for itself already.

Jujube Be Fabulous! Diaper bag

This was a bit of a splurge but I looked around and didn’t see any diaper bags I liked and loved the look of this one (ordered online).  And it is great, it’s been snowed on, rained on and sun-baked but it’s still fabulous…