Our next prize giveaway will be a biggy - when we reach 2000 Facebook likers, I will give-away a £100 LOVE TO BE NATURAL GIFT VOUCHER!!  The winner can spend their voucher on anything they like in the whole store!  All you have to do is help the LTBN Facebook page reach 2000 likers - that's it!

So spread the likes and you could win :-)

Beth xx

Ahhh... fond memories of the early days ;-)

The Wrapping Pappy

I'm a guy. I babywear. Why? 'Cos she says I have to. Only kidding.

When Beth was pregnant with DS1, the whole parenting thing was thrown into sharp relief. As it is with most people. But at this time we didn't know how we were going to parent. We didn't know there was such a thing as 'Attachment Parenting', never mind giving consideration to bonding.

When DS1 was born, the attachment Beth had with him was clear; it was almost tangible, the way they gazed into each others' eyes when she fed him. And I remember quite a strong feeling of uselessness at this time, a feeling of being completely surplus to requirements. I feel pretty useless at the best of times, but man, this was bad. Beth had carried him, birthed him, and was feeding him. About the best thing I could do was make her a cup of tea. Useful yes, but hardly fulfilling.

But I had this desire to bond with him, which I hadn't expected, I hadn't even thought of it. Being a guy, you kinda concentrate on the practicalities of having a baby - how to fit the car seat, how to change a nappy, that kind of thing. Yes, you can have skin to skin, but I remember he always looked at me suspiciously like he was saying – 'Who on earth are you and what have you done with my mummy?'

A few weeks after he was born, Beth started to carry him in a sling, and it quickly struck me that this was how I could bond with the little fella. By carrying him, I could bond with him whilst I washed the car, made lunch or whatever. Bonding was allowed to happen whilst we just got on with everyday life, rather than being something that you had to put significant effort into.

And even with our third child, that feeling of him snuggling into your chest when you carry him, is still very profound. Being a guy and babywearing does not equal big girls blouse. It doesn't even mean you're whipped. It simply allows you to bond and form a relationship from the very start. So guys, if you're thinking of babywearing – just give it a go, you'd be surprised how much you actually enjoy it.

The Wrapping Pappy

Now that I have the blog all up and running (and actually blogging on it!), I'll be having the occassional guest-blogger (if I can coerce *ahem* I mean get them to agree) :-)

My first guest blogger will have a regular weekly spot... Please say a great big 'Helloooo' to the Wrapping Pappy (AKA my OH ;-)).  He'll be blogging about babywearing from a father's perspective.

Expect his first blog tomorrow.... :-)

Beth xx

Tracey-anne Birds!!!  Huuuuuge congratulations Tracey-anne.  You have won a Natibaby Ring Sling or Woven Wrap of your choice!  Just email me at mail@lovetobenatural.co.uk with all your details :-)

And I'd like to say the most enormous thanks to everyone who helped me reach 1250 likers.  You really are awesome!

I can't wait for the next giveaway! ;-)

Beth x

Summer isn't too far away -whoo-hoo!.  It's the time for holidays and day-trips - busy airports, bus and train stations.  We all know that travelling with babies and children can be stressful, so why not leave your hands free and keep your little one(s) close and secure by using a carrier or sling?!

We first travelled with our oldest when he was a couple of months old. We used a buckle carrier (our first) and it was honestly the most important item we took with us (apart from our little one! ;-))

A very busy airport, people everywhere, luggage, announcements, queues, security control, bright lights.....yikes! Without the sling, my baby and I would have struggled.  Travelling with a baby can be a daunting prospect for parents and a completely overwhelming one for babies.  Using a baby carrier or sling can make the whole process easier and less stressful for everyone.  Carrying my son in a sling, I had my hands free to deal with luggage, tickets, and the whole time, baby was snug against me unaware of the constant bombardment of noise and chaos.  At security, the carrier was clipped off in seconds, and on the other side, it was clipped back on again and off we went.  On the plane, I was able to wear him and walk up and down the aisles comforting him to sleep.  Through all of this, our son was blissfully unaware of the changing environemnts as his remained the same - snuggled close to mummy (and sometimes daddy!).

I find a short woven wrap or ring sling particularly good for travelling as baby can be popped in and out of the sling quickly - it also doubles as a changing mat, nursing cover, blanket, burp cloth (yes really!), or even a scarf.  When not needed it can be folded small and popped into a bag.

Travelling and being out and about really is easier (and snugglier!) with a sling :-)

Happy travelling everyone! - Love, Beth x

Girasol Rainbow Light

Have you ever seen something, or looked at a picture and thought 'wow, that's summer!'?

Well that's what I think every time I look at Girasol Diamond Weave Rainbow Light.  The soft, bright colours and the way they tone together - for me this is summer in a wrap!  When I look at Rainbow Light I can smell fresh cut grass and hear the bees buzzing lazily in the flower beds.

It's truely one of those 'feel good' woven wraps; it's the stick of bright shimmery sherbet that pops on your tongue and makes you feel 4 years old again :-)  Wear the Rainbow!

Happy Wrapping!

Love, Beth xx

Girasol Rainbow Light

Girasol Rainbow Light

So Blossoms arrived last week and I've only just managed to take a good look at this wrap. I should start by saying that I simply love the Cherry Blossoms pattern <3.  The colours of Blossoms are subtle at first glance.  However the darker side is just gorgeous, with purple and dark pink threads that create a gorgeous colour that shimmers in the sunshine.

Blossoms is woven with 50% linen and 50% organic cotton and has been described by Didymos as a wrap suited to experienced wrappers.  I can understand why - the wrap is solid and grippy, yet it's not at all that thick, and certainly is not beastly in the way that the extra thick linen wraps such as Azure are.  As such, Blossoms won't need the breaking in of Azure, but it will need a good wash and steam iron!  The wrap is grippy, and even when wrapping a heavy 2 1/2 year old, the wrap didn't budge and was super-supportive.  I think once broken in a little more it will become mouldable and soft too :-)

http://www.lovetobenatural.co.uk/didymos-blossoms.htm

Didymos LE Blossoms

Didymos LE Blossoms

Didymos LE Blossoms

So spread the word and get liking!

Best wishes,

Beth x

Whatever your reason for babywearing, it can seem daunting at first - the sheer selection of types and styles of carrier available is enormous! So where to start....

WOVEN WRAPS

The world of Woven wraps can seem very complex at first - they are available in all the colours of the rainbow, in different lengths, different weaves and different fibre combinations and different prices.

If you're looking for your first woven wrap, or have just started your babywearing journey, here are some steps to
keep it simple for you and your baby.

Firstly, the wrap doesn't have to be fancy, expensive or hard to find. Some of the best beginner wraps are easy to find, well priced and there are a huge selection of colours and patterns. So pick something you like! Woven wraps made from 100% cotton with a cross-weave twill make superb starter wraps.

Great Beginner Wraps:

Here are some woven wrap brands that are great for beginners (and experienced wrappers!):

Colimacon et Cie - these wraps are on the thinner side of medium and are made from 100% organic cotton. Easily broken in, the solid colours are mum and dad friendly. A size 6 (4.5m) is £55.95.

Hoppediz - these wraps are medium thick and are made from 100% cotton. Available in a fab selection of solid colours and stripes - a great work-horse wrap. A size 6 (4.6m) is £52.95.

Storchenwiege - these wraps are available in two different weaves, a robust cross-weave twill and a diamond-weave. The cross-weave twill wraps are made from 100% cotton and are medium thick and available in a gorgeous selection of stripes. The diamond-weave wraps are made from 100% cototn and are on the thinner side of medium and are available in many colours. A size 6 (4.6m) is £69.95.

Didymos - these woven wraps are made from 100% organic cotton. The standard cross-weave twill wraps are the most user-friendly and hard-wearing of the Didymos wraps. Of medium thickness, the wraps are available in a gorgeous selection of colours and stripes. A size 6 (4.7m) ranges from £64.95-£94.95.

There are lots of other great wraps that are suitable for beginners too - Neobulle, Girasol and Natibaby to name a few!  All these wraps can be used from newborn to toddler (and even older!) and are fab for the novice or experienced wrapper.

Happy Wrapping!

Beth xx

Our last prize give-away was a huge success - thankyou to you all :-)

So, it's time for another give-away.  When we reach 1250 Facebook Likers I will give away a prize to one lucky fan.  This time however, you get to pick the prize!!!

So, what should the prize be?.....

All you have to do is 'Like' the Facebook page!  So spread the word :-)

Hugs and best wishes,

Beth xx