Baby wearing with a disability

Today's post is dedicated to Melissa. Melissa is the owner of Lemon Balm Essentials. If you have an interest in hard-to-find wraps, you might already know her passion for anything wrap related. She is the expert of limited editions, bringing new fairly unknown brands to the market.

She has two young daughters and still carries the youngest one.
Melissa suffers from Fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes pain all over the body. The condition affects the muscles, tendons and ligaments (bands of tissue that connect bone to bone), resulting in widespread pain, fatigue and extreme sensitivity to pain.

Melissa shared what happened to her recently at her doctor. Her PT saw her carefully lift her toddler on her back, slip her backpack over her and went off, holding her older daughter with one hand and her cane with the other. Her PT concluded, that's the safest way to do it, better than just holding her hands or pushing her buggy.

A great resource for disabled parents wishing to carry their children is the Disability, Chronic Illness and Special Needs Board at The Baby Wearer.
Many times, several vendors and baby wearing teachers have pulled their knowledge of baby wearing and disability to design a carrier specifically for a mum and her child. Cinda at Tentoes (now closed, unfortunately) was one of them. Of course, you should always consult with your health care practitioners but if you wish to carry your little one or not-so-little one, don't give up. Many mums and dads manage to do it and actually find it safer than trying to run after a toddler, push a pram or lift a child without a sling.

Any question? Join the baby wearer for advice, chances are you'll find another parent who's been there, done it.

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Super cheap wraps on sale, only a few left!

I have found a few rolls of fabric I had bought to make wraps before I started Calin Bleu. We made them up as wraps and selling them to make space in our stock room (again!)

There are only a few left so if you'd like to start wrapping on a budget, now is the time!
100% woven cotton, not stretchy. The fabric is handwoven in India and they were made in the UK.
They are sent without any packaging and just one sheet of instruction of the most popular carry. Of course, you can find the rest of the instructions on our website.
Once washed, they will shrink to 4.60m

This is how they look once wrapped.
There are two colourways left: red/blue, green/turquoise.
£18 including postage to the UK, no return no exchange on these clearance items. They're not on sale on the website, so email us to order: infoATcalinbleu.com

Are you in Beds, Herts or Bucks?

Today, Jonathan Vernon-Smith is talking about slings in his consumer clinic. I was interviewed earlier in the programme for Sling Meet.

Have you bought a sling? Did you make it yourself or did you buy a fancy one? Why do you choose to carry your baby?

Call the team directly on 08459 455 555 or text 07760 173737 between 11am and 1pm.

A beautiful baby wearing painting

Nicki is a mum of three and a keen baby wearer.

I love browsing her blog and her Etsy shop. Today I came across her newest baby wearing painting, a mum with her child on her back. The background lets your imagination take you far away, a peaceful sea or an early morning sunrise, an imaginary forest?

Mums are often concerned that they won't have the same connection carrying their baby on their back than they are on their front. Everyone has their preference, I can only tell them that I love feeling my child on my back, their head slowly feeling heavier on my neck until I hear a gently snore. All that walking about on mummy's back must be exhausting because my son always falls asleep pretty quickly! Maybe instead of saying that I love it and that the only way to know if they'll like it is to give it a try, maybe I should just point you to Nicki's painting?

I was going to talk to you about the VAT going down today and the wraps being even better value than before, but it seems a bit prosaic after Nicki's beautiful painting, maybe I'll leave that for tomorrow!