Babywearing: the magazine | MommyCon Orlando

MommyCon

so many amazing brands, so little time

family& community

TULA STORY the

behind the scenes with

XZA founder of MommyCon SPECIAL EDITION

BABYWEARINGTHEMAG.COM

table of contents

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in every issue 4 FROM THE PUBLISHER 6 EDITOR’S NOTE 8 TRENDING Inspired style for the babywearing world.

This issue: MommyCon Exclusives and Ups & Downs

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26 HIP, HIP, HOORAY! Seasonally inspired babywearing items.

This issue: Mom’s Day Out 28 #BWTHEMAG Pics from you, our readers.

This issue: Adventures in Babywearing

12 CARRY ON Wrap carries to expand your repertoire. This issue: Double Hammock

30 CARRIED AWAY Wrapscapes that inspire. This issue: Rockin’ the Red Carpet

14 RETAIL THERAPY Items that make your life easier. This issue: Pamper Yourself

32 WRAP UP Chat with inspiring industry insiders.

This issue: Xza of MommyCon

babywearingthemag.com

features 16 FAMILY AND COMMUNITY: THE TULA STORY 20 BENEFITS OF BABYWEARING 22 MARSUPIAL MAMAS

from the publisher

belong

Photo credit: Three Plus Photogra phy threeplusphotography.com

where we

There is something to be said for finding your safe space. A place that feels like home. Where you just fit in. For many of us, that is our local babywearing group. We are, for the most part, like-minded and make similar parenting decisions. We also tend to accept those who choose differently than us as well.

MommyCon is the amplification of our beloved local groups. Many of our favorite brands gather in one place for us to ogle, test and shop. We finally get to meet people we have only chatted with online. We get to learn from the internet personalities we follow and admire. MommyCon is literally an adult natural-parenting playground. A retreat for crunchy mommas, if you will. I for one am grateful that Xza had the foresight to create MommyCon for us.

We are also thrilled to partner with TULA Baby Carriers for MommyCon Orlando! They have graciously allowed us to share the Tula love with the attendees — and yes, that includes giveaways — so come see us in our booth! We’ll have wraps, ring slings, canvas Tulas and wrap conversions as well. I can’t wait to meet you all!

XOXO,

Sarah

publisher SARAH ZEENBERG sarah@babywearingthemag.com editor NOVIA CHANG editor@babywearingthemag.com art director SARAH ZEENBERG art@babywearingthemag.com business development DANNY ZEENBERG danny@babywearingthemag.com All information provided by Babywearing: the magazine, LLC, is intended for entertainment purposes only. Those who are new to babywearing should seek out the help of a local babywearing group or professional babywearing consultant. The publisher, editors, contributors and advertisers are not responsible in the actions or misuse of any individual on the basis of reading information contained in Babywearing: the magazine, LLC. The information contained herein is not a replacement for hands on instruction.

Babywearing: the magazine, LLC assumes no responsibility for the advertisers.

Babywearing: the magazine, LLC is not responsible for typographical or production errors or accuracy of information provided by its advertisers. Babywearing: the magazine, LLC reserves the right to refuse any advertiser.

Unauthorized use or reproduction of editorial content in any way whatsoever without the written consent of Babywearing: the magazine, LLC is strictly prohibited.

on the cover

From Ashley: I didn’t know much about babywearing with my first two children. After having our third, I knew I needed something that would make things easier for me while still allowing me to keep my baby close. That’s when I discovered the Baby K’tan. I loved being able to wear my baby and breastfeed while still taking care of my older two. When I had our fourth (and youngest), I got the Baby K’tan back out and used it for a few months. I also got a ring sling, which we really liked and still use from time to time. When my youngest was about five months old, I discovered SSCs. More specific, Tulas. We’ve been a Tula family ever since! My husband and I can both wear them comfortably, they’re perfect for quick uppies, and are easy to adjust in order to breastfeed while wearing baby.

Ashley is wearing a TULA Baby Carrier in Skipper.

Like us on Facebook FACEBOOK.COM/BABYWEARINGTHEMAG

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editor’s note

meet you at MommyCon! MommyCon Orlando is here!

Parenting conventions are a big opportunity for us to interact with current readers and to meet new ones. We look forward to connecting with as many readers as possible, and to seeing the babywearing companies and vendors who will be at the event. Attending events like MommyCon also allows us to spread the babywearing and natural parenting love to caregivers on a more personal, one-on-one basis.

If you happen to be attending MommyCon Orlando, please stop our booth and say hello, we would love to get to know you!

ENJOY!

Novia

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Babywearing: the magazine would like to give a huge

THANK YOU to our 10,000 Fan Giveaway Sponsors!

trending

MommyCon

EXCLUSIVES

Cassiope Woven Hadara Carbasa

The best part of MommyCon? The exclusives, of course! Get ‘em while they last!

Pavo Form Aquaria Parakeet

cotton/linen

cotton

Photo credit: Sarah Pagano Photography

Kokoskaa Secese Trifid cotton

bumGenius Elemental and Outing Wet Bag in Alicia

Smart Bottoms Jax & Jill Smart One 3.1

while supplies last

$5 of every sale donated to Giving Diapers Giving Hope

Tekhni Athena Splash cotton/repreve

AppleCheeks Bee Happy Swim Diaper

trending

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UPS

&downs Life is full of ups and downs (especially with toddlers!), but these amazing brands will always be there for us.

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MOBY ARIA This new kid on the block fits

infants to toddlers with ease. Our favorite feature for the upcoming summer heat is the exposable mesh panel. The straps can be worn straight or crossed for a more personalized fit. $160, mobywrap.com THIRSTIES ONE SIZE ALL IN ONE IN OCEAN LIFE The newest diaper from

Thirsties is the One Size All in One. With a slimmer profile, this diaper offers absorbency, waterproof protection, and adjustability all in one very cute package. $19.75, thirstiesbaby.com ERGOBABY ORIGINAL BABY CARRIER IN INDIGO MINT DOTS Designed by a mom,

and voted on by you, the latest Ergobaby Original sports playful polka dots on the same great carrier we all know and love. $120, ergobaby.com LALABYE BABY ONE SIZE CLOTH DIAPER SPRING COLLECTION With a stay-dry

microfiber interior and a trim waterproof exterior, the Lalabye Baby One Size provides a custom fit for your baby. In fresh new colors for spring, this diaper will last until potty learning. $19.95, lalabyebaby.com BECO LIMITED EDITION TODDLER

Capable of carrying up to 60 pounds and the added benefit of crossing straps, this carrier can last well into the preschool years. It also includes an attachable zipper clutch to store your extras and a convenient storage sack. $200, sold exclusively through authorized retailers.

BABY-DOO HERBA WOVEN WRAP These

Czech wraps, made of 100% combed cotton, utilize an exclusive diamond-like weave for added support. The stripes are perfect for beginners, aiding in strand by strand tightening. $88, babydoousa.com

carry on

double

HAMMOCK When you are looking at wearing for a long period of time, especially with a heavy toddler, a double hammock is the way to go. The chest pass helps carry the weight and alleviates some strain on your shoulders. This makes a comfy carry for both wearer and wearee.

HERE ARE SOME OF OUR FAVORITE DOUBLE HAMMOCK TUTORIALS: BASICS: DOUBLE HAMMOCK

by Wrapyouinlove We like the in-depth tightening process in this video. youtube.com/watch?v=JMLpRjMHpoY

DOUBLE HAMMOCK WITH A WOVEN WRAP

by BabywearingFaith Watch for the tip about the ruck straps! youtube.com/watch?v=SnNIMyk-WjI

DOUBLE HAMMOCK TIED AT SHOULDER WITH TIPS FOR GETTING THE SECOND PASS HIGH ON BABY’S BACK by WrappingRachel Including my favorite, the “elbow trick,” as well as some alternate finishes. youtube.com/watch?v=hOf-Oh2-vTY

*NOTE: This carry is best for older babies and toddlers because it is a lower carry by nature.

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retail therapy

PAMPER

yourself Sometimes as parents we spend more time worrying about our littles, and not enough time taking care of ourselves. The items on this page are meant to spoil and satisfy. After all, you deserve it!

HEALING HAZEL SUDDENLY ROYAL NECKLACE Hazelwood helps to create a

more alkaline environment in your body. It works through direct contact with your skin and has been known to improve conditions such as eczema, ulcers, acid reflux, and heartburn. Many moms swear by it! Starting at $15.95, eylas.com

MOTHERLOVE PREGNANT BELLY OIL This luxe moisturizer is made with certified organic oils and can help prevent stretch marks and alleviate the itching endemic of pregnancy.

The calming scents of lavender and chamomile will soothe your nerves as well as your skin. Great for bump and beyond! $19.95, available at Target and Walgreens

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LIQUID GOLD SOAP Made with a combination of breast milk, organic coconut oil, organic honey, your choice of essential oil, and an optional oat exfoliant, these handmade soaps are great for a range of skin conditions — from acne to sun burn. Starting at $15, liquidgoldsoapsllc.com

In June 2009, just like every other year, we planned excitedly for our annual visit to see my parents in Poland. Mike took a couple of weeks off from work, and I was working as an online marketing consultant from home, so my work came with us. We packed a suitcase and boarded our plane with 2 ½ year old Amelia and 6 month old Julian.

Nothing could have prepared us for what we would discover when we arrived.

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by Ula Tuszewicka

FAMILY & Community

The Cornerstones of the Tula Story

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y mother, 54 years young and the center of our family, was diagnosed with cancer, and everything turned upside down. As she rushed to schedule her surgery and chemotherapy, we found ourselves completely overwhelmed. Our entire life was in the United States and we had left behind Mike’s job and had rent to pay… but we just couldn’t leave, given the circumstances, and we decided to stay until my mother began to recover. Mike flew to the U.S. to break our lease and move all of our belongings to my in-laws’ house. He left his job. We moved into an apartment close by so that I could take care of my bedridden mother and help my very depressed father with his business while taking care of our family and balancing my marketing clients at night; babywearing wasn’t just a pastime for us — it was necessary!

Realizing how much babywearing was helping me manage my day to day, and not seeing much of babywearing in Poland, I kept on coming back to the idea of introducing carriers in some way in my community, but who in their right mind would start a business under these circumstances? Probably nobody… but I couldn’t get the idea out of my head!

We had no allocated budget, but knew a seamstress we could trust to execute our ideas, and we had some space to work and a sewing machine. I bought enough fabric to make just a few carriers, sold them, bought more fabric, and sold those.

We had an initial goal of selling one carrier a day and, operating out of our 400 square foot apartment in Poland with our two babies, we did just that. One carrier at a time, Tula had begun.

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n the meantime, things remained challenging on the personal front. My grandmother, who had also been struggling with cancer, succumbed to her illness. My mother was getting worse, though my little ones helped to bring a bit of light to each of her days. Back home in San Diego, Mike’s father was also diagnosed with cancer. It was so much to process all at once — I couldn’t believe that this was happening to my family. The cancer hung over us all like a nightmare.

Having our small operation making Tulas one at a time gave us something constructive to focus on during a very scary time, and in many ways helped us get through. Although Tula was providing us with some sort of outlet, and held potential for the future, we were struggling financially and had no clear plan on when we would return to the United States. We had to figure something out… and so we sat down for a serious talk, decided that we didn’t have much to lose, took a deep breath together, and put all of our cards on Tula.

After my mom passed away, my family still needed me, so we remained in Poland for few more months. But back in California, Mike’s dad was fighting to get well and we knew that returning to our life in San Diego was a must.

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hortly after moving back to San Diego, I ran into a babywearing mom at a playground, who introduced me to the local babywearing community. I loved interacting with those who had similar passions to my own. Soon, mamas all over San Diego began to ask what carrier I was wearing. I admit it was so awkward to answer at first! I was so proud of our

Tulas, but they just weren’t accessible in the United States. I started shipping Tulas from Poland to the U.S. as gifts for friends, and that was the start. We had never dreamed that Tula would follow us to the U.S. but found ourselves excited for the challenge. In the local babywearing community, I found a support system and family: a group of mamas and daddies who were willing to help! We were overwhelmed by the support and love of the community as Tula San Diego started off here organically with local babywearers. We were humbled to tears when we hit our first year here in California.

This is our family’s story, but in many ways, it bears similarities to the stories of each family and each community.

Everyone faces challenges and everyone overcomes them. At Tula, family and community are the reason we exist, and the reason we do what we do. They play a part in who we hire, what products we make, and inform our business decisions. They are challenging and cherished, and are at the heart of what makes Tula, Tula.

About the Author: Ula, the co-owner of Tula Baby Carriers, was born and raised in Poland and has a deep love for chocolate, children, pretty fabrics, design and adventure. She is passionate about her involvement in every aspect of the company and cares deeply about her customers and her team. Ula met her husband and co-owner Mike, who was born in Vietnam, while they were in college and they soon began exploring the world together. While they were first introduced to babywearing on a backpacking trip in South America, it was their love of connection with their daughter (the first of three children) that inspired their own babywearing journey.

“This is our family’s story, but in many ways, it bears similarities to the stories of each family and each community. Everyone faces challenges and everyone overcomes them. At Tula, family and community are the reason we exist, and the reason we do what we do.” facebook.com/TULA-Baby-Carriers

tulababycarriers.com

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THE BENEFITS OF

babywearing

Babies thrive on touch. These connections, touch and emotional engagement, are integral to their growth and development. Babywearing is a wonderful way for caregivers to meet this need. Babywearing is the practice of wearing or carrying a baby in a ring sling, woven wrap, soft structured carrier or in another type of baby carrier. While babywearing has been a common practice around the world for centuries, it has only recently gained popularity in western cultures. Babywearing can be enjoyed for as long as mutually desired by both the child and the caregiver, even into toddlerhood and beyond. After all, the need for closeness between child and caregiver does not diminish just because the child has gotten older.

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Convenience Parenting, especially

with a new baby, can be hectic.

Babywearing frees the caregiver’s hands so they can clean up, prepare meals, run errands and attend to the needs of older children, if there are any in the home.

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Physical Development Worn babies are more in tune with the caregiver’s movements: breathing, heartbeats and all other physical movements. This stimulation can help babies regulate their own physical responses. Babywearing can also promote good digestion from gentle tummy pressure and the upright position while they are being worn. This helps to reduce colic and reflux.

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Happy Babies Studies have shown that babies who are held more, cry less.1 Babywearing is especially useful for colicky babies who are more content while being worn. All children can benefit from the warmth and security of being held close.

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Exercise It can be challenging

for caregivers, and especially new mothers, to find time to exercise. Wearing your child for longer periods of time or going for brisk walks with your baby in the carrier will allow you enjoy a decent workout with the addition of baby’s weight. Long walks with a worn baby are also an excellent way to help a tired but over-stimulated child fall asleep.

5 Donna is wearing Tekhni Arche in Sunset. etsy.com/shop/TekhniWovens

Communication When you hold

your baby close in a carrier, you become finely attuned to their gestures and facial expressions, even when the baby does not cry. When babies are able to let caregivers know their needs and those needs are quickly met, their trust is

always practice the T.I.C.K.S. of babywearing As with any physical activity, there are safety precautions which must be taken while babywearing.

The guidelines are particularly important to remember when carrying a newborn baby who has limited head control. The acronym TICKS was created to help wearers remember the basics of safe babywearing:

increased, their learning is enhanced, and the caregiver’s confidence is reinforced.

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Bonding Carriers are a useful

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Safe Space Baby carriers are

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Economy There are a large variety

tool for every adult in a baby’s life.

Fathers, babysitters and grandparents can hold baby close in the carrier so both baby and caregiver can get to know each other.

usually associated with infants, but they can be very useful for toddlers as well, and many carriers accommodate children up to 35 or even 60 pounds.

Toddlers often become over-stimulated, and being worn can help to soothe and comfort them. Carriers can also be helpful when you want your child to see things at your eye level (like at a zoo or other attraction) instead of from stroller level.

of baby carriers made to fit different budgets and tastes. Many carriers are more cost effective than strollers, and more convenient to carry around.

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Breastfeeding With some practice, most baby carriers are easy and discreet to nurse in. Providing a meal for a hungry baby can be quick, easy, and private.

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It’s fun! Finally, wearing your baby is fun. The sweet act of wearing your little one close is unmatched.

The wonder of seeing them learn and discover the world around them, all from your view, is magical. Hearing them learn to talk and having soft baby babble in your ear as you go about your day is priceless.

1. Hunziker, U.A. and R.G. Barr (1986). “Increased carrying reduces infant crying: A randomized controlled trial”. Pediatrics. 7:641-648.

T ight I n View at All Times C lose Enough to Kiss K eep Chin off Chest S upported Back

MAR

SUP

IAL MAMAS

Marsupial Mamas is an online retailer specializing in baby carriers including woven wraps, ring slings, and soft structured carriers, as well as wrap conversion bags and wrap scraps. Owner Jennifer Harris and her team, Jilliane Urban Klak and Tabitha Lieberum Goins, work diligently to spread the love of babywearing and natural parenting to all. Marsupial Mamas is one of the vendors at MommyCon who attracts babywearers eager to try and buy carriers. As an added bonus, you get meet the ladies behind the company and tap their combined wealth of knowledge about all things babywearing. {BWTM} Where did the name Marsupial Mamas come from? {MM} In 2010, I bought Marsupial Mamas from my friend, Suzanne Baker, and since it already had name recognition in the babywearing community we decided to keep it. Marsupial Mamas is also just a fitting name for a babywearing store. {BWTM} What was the defining moment that led you to start Marsupial Mamas? {MM} I don’t think there was any one defining moment; it was more of a gradual process. I just finished my PhD and had my third baby all within a three month period.

I was on a reduced teaching load and in between research projects. My friend was thinking of selling Marsupial Mamas, and things just sort of fell into place. We started out quite small and have grown by leaps and bounds over the years. It has been an amazing learning experience. {BWTM} How has the company grown in the past four years? {MM} Marsupial Mamas has grown

considerably in the past four years, with the past year being particularly exciting. We have expanded and now have two amazing full time employees: Jilliane and Tabitha. We have also expanded our product line and are always looking into new brands. {BWTM} How and when did you start babywearing? {MM} We all were introduced to babywearing in different ways and at different points as parents. Our combined experience is one of our strengths: Jennifer: I was introduced to babywearing with my first child in 2005 when I was given a woven wrap as a gift after my son, Abraham, was born. It was intimidating and I had a hard time figuring out the finer points of wrapping. My husband, David, who is a dedicated mountaineer, was under contract to write a hiking guide book for Southern California and wanted a way to bring Abraham with him on his easier hikes. He tried wrapping, but wanted something a bit faster. We looked online and found the Ergo,

which was still being made in small batches by a work at home mom. We bought one and it was perfect! When I had my second baby, I gravitated back to wrapping because wrapping was more comfortable for me.

David retired that Ergo about a year ago. He used it for all three of our boys and it was a sad day when we decided it time to say goodbye to it.

Tabitha: I started using a wrap 6 ½ years ago when my youngest son was born. He had GI issues and wrapping him up was very comforting for him. He lived in a wrap and I fell in love with the closeness it gave us. It helped create a bond like no other. I had such a deep passion for babywearing and educating that I combined the two and started teaching babywearing in my community with a local county group. We later opened as BWI of Chicagoland (and several years later branching out into BWI of North Central Illinois.) Working for Marsupial Mamas I am able to combine three of my passions: babywearing, textiles and education. I love being at MommyCon as it

MommyCon Orlando 2015

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allows me to work one on one with so many caregivers. Whether its helping them figure out which carrier will work best for them or teaching them how to use one.

Jilliane: I started wearing 16 years ago when my oldest was a baby. But it was within the last six years and the birth of my fourth child that I became really passionate about science of babywearing and all it can offer. From there a small group of us decided to start our own local chapter: BWI of Hampton Roads. We all became educators in order to teach and promote babywearing in our community. This passion of mine has lead me to many friendships, one of them being Jennifer. She approached me one day about helping out with Marsupial Mamas. I was beyond excited with this opportunity. Not only do I love to teach babywearing and promoting it, but I adore the textiles and all that comes with learning about the fabric. I love my job. {BWTM} How do you decide which brands to carry in the store? Will we see any new brands soon? {MM} Jilliane, Tabitha and I have all been wearing our children for a number of years. We are always on the lookout for products that would be of interest to us as babywearers.

That is the fun part of the job! We just recently added Fidella FlyTais to our inventory and all of us have been quite impressed with the construction and comfort of the carrier. {BWTM} MM has been a successful online retailer since 2011. Why did you decide to start attending MommyCon? {MM} Tabitha had been doing parenting conventions for Marsupial Mamas for about a year. It was a great way to become more involved in the community and it offered the chance to educate, which Tabitha is fabulous at doing. At one of our weekly meetings, she suggested we consider doing MommyCon. And, well, here we are! {BWTM} What do you like most about MommyCon? {MM} We here at MM love attending

MommyCon! It allows us to reach out to our fans and work with them one on one to find the perfect carrier and the perfect fit just for them. Plus, the friendships that we are able to build and harbor is amazing in this community. At MommyCon we get to put a face to many of those names we normally just see on the computer screen. {BWTM} What role do these events play in the evolution of the babywearing industry? {MM} Events like MommyCon are instrumental in helping babywearing become more mainstream. Even though babywearing has become more visible and popular in the past couple of years, it still has a long way to go before it can be considered mainstream. {BWTM} What products do you bring to MommyCon? What are your top sellers? Does your MommyCon stock differ from city to city? {MM} We bring a wide variety of products to MommyCon. Every MommyCon has been different with different cities gravitating toward different brands and products. The Pavo MommyCon exclusives have been quite popular, as well as the pre-release Oschas that Oscha has been kind enough to send us. We are grateful for the support of both companies. Toto Wraps have been popular at all of our MommyCon events and sell out quickly. They are a beautiful, budget option for new wearers. {BWTM} What can we expect from MM at upcoming MommyCons? {MM} We will continue to offer Pavo exclusives and pre-release Oschas.

We will also be adding soft structured carriers to our MommyCon inventory and are expanding our ring sling selection. {BWTM} What is your hope for the future of babywearing? {MM} Our hope is to see babywearing become more mainstream and accepted. It’s definitely headed in that direction, but there is a lot more work to be done.

Every MommyCon has been different with different cities gravitating toward different brands and products. The Pavo MommyCon exclusives have been quite popular, as well as the pre-release Oschas that Oscha has been kind enough to send us. We are grateful for the support of both companies. Toto Wraps have been popular at all of our MommyCon events and sell out quickly. They are a beautiful, budget option for new wearers.

facebook.com/Marsupial-Mamas

marsupial-mamas.com

hip, hip, hooray!

mom’s

DAY OUT

MOMMA NATURE CLEAN HAND SPRITZ No soap and water? No problem! A natural alternative to alcohol-based hand sanitizers, this product is a must for the diaper bag! $9.95 for 4oz., eylas.com

You don’t want anything to slow you down at MommyCon. These are our essential go-to items for smooth sailing with a little one in tow.

ADEN + ANAIS ORGANIC SWADDLE PACK IN WISE GUYS These organic cotton muslin swaddles are perfect for a changing pad in a pinch or just a tummy time blanket while you are listening to your favorite speaker. Thin, breathable and perfect for the Florida heat, they also won’t take up much room in your bag. $54.95, adenandanais.com

SMILING OCTOPUS MINI MESSENGER BAG The Mini is 12”x10”x4” and can be used as a messenger style or a backpack. With 11 pockets in total, you’ll have no problem keeping everything organized. The flap is also a detachable changing pad! $285, facebook.com/SmilingOctopus

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THIRSTIES WET BAG From wet diapers to dirty clothes, wet bags are good for holding all kinds of unexpected messes. $15, thirstiesbaby.com

PETITE ELEPHANT SILICONE TEETHER NECKLACE This whimsical necklace can add instant fun to any outfit and keep your little one content! Made of BPA free silicon, with no lead, phthalates, heavy metals or cadimium. 100% food grade and safe for babies to chew on. $20, etsy.com/shop/ ChompyChicChewlery

BABYGANICS FLUSHABLE BABY WIPES Life can be unpredictable with littles in tow (read: messy), always be prepared for clean-ups with these natural wipes. $3.99, babiesrus.com

INNOBABY KEEPIN’ SMART™ DOUBLE INSULATED STAINLESS LUNCHBOX Kids are hungry all the time. Ward off melt-downs with easy-access snacks in these convenient BPA free lunchboxes. $14.99, innobaby.com

TEKHNI HIPSACK™ IN DELTA FATHOM Repreve blend Hipsacks™ are made in the USA from 3 recycled bottles and certified slingrings. Hipsacks will keep your hands free and your spending money easily accessible! $52, etsy.com/shop/TekhniWovens

#bwthemag

adventures in

babywearing!

Making memories of a lifetime.

All for fun, and fun for all!

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follow us on instagram {BWTHEMAG} and tag your photos with #bwthemag for a chance to be featured in the next issue!

MommyCon Orlando 2015

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carried away

rockin’

RED CARPET the

puttin’ on our best and brightest!

SUNSET: Lamb on the Loom HW and Natibaby Tulips. ROAD: Pavo Gotham Slate. WALKWAY: Pavo Gotham Marble. RED CARPET: Tinge Garden Scarlet.

LIMOUSINES: Didymos Indio Sun, Natibaby Notes, Oscha Roses Kona. PAPARAZZI OUTFITS: Tekhni Ceres Absinthe, Storchenwiege Leo Rose, Maya Uncaged, Pavo Fable Camellia.

ELEPHANT’S CAMERA: Ellevill Zara Chocco. A book of wrapscapes and nursery rhymes is available for purchase at etsy.com/shop/CarriedAwayBook.

wrap up

we sit down with

XZA

of MommyCon

Xza Louise Higgins is the driving force behind MommyCon, The Mommy Dialogues, and MILK: an infant feeding conference. Through her dedication to the natural parenting community, she brings together a dream team of speakers that cater directly to the crunchy hearts of breastfeeding, babywearing, cloth diapering families, with a little bit of humor and a whole lot of acceptance thrown in the mix. {BWTM} How did your journey into Attachment Parenting begin? Was it a conscious choice or more natural progression? {XZA} I wanted to be a mother for a very long time, and researched all sides of parenting prior to getting pregnant. I knew I wanted to babywear, and I thought cloth diapering was pretty cool. Once my son was born, all of my gut feelings towards Attachment Parenting (AP) practices were validated. I knew that I not only wanted to raise my son following the eight principles of AP, but also serve as an advocate and support within my community to others looking to make the transition into AP methods. {BWTM} How did that evolve into MommyCon? What was the turning point that sparked the beginning of MommyCon? {XZA} I felt very alone in the way I wanted to raise my son. It pained me to hear others say they were going to let their baby cry it out, and carrying/wearing their child would cause spoiling. I attended a lot of social events for new and expectant mothers and very few of the people I met shared my parenting philosophies. This sparked my interest and desire in starting a blogging collective for like-minded women. This blog eventually lead to the idea of MommyCon in the summer of 2012.

{BWTM} Why do you think it is important to support parents on their natural parenting journey? {XZA} I felt alienated in my journey, and after speaking to countless parents, I discovered that they felt the same way. Aside from the online communities that flourished, very few people had the chance to meet others face to face to discuss and bond over parenting philosophies. {BWTM} How are speakers chosen and why is it important to have such a wide variety? {XZA} We ask our community who they would like to hear from, and most of the speakers that travel with us have their own followings within the natural parenting community. We also like to serve as a platform for them to share their message, and like to think that the whole is greater than the sum of our parts. What makes the event so special is that we are all coming together for the purpose of empowering parents in their parenting decisions. {BWTM} How did the Babywearing World Record come about? {XZA} Back at the very first MommyCon (Las Vegas), I was an overzealous and naive event planner who didn’t know if MommyCon was going to survive to have a second event, let alone 20+ in the last

26 months. When showing Alex from Beco Baby Carrier our space for future years, I thought it would be a good idea to mention that I wanted to eventually host the Babywearing World Record. He thought it was a great idea, I had an “oh my god, what did I get myself into” moment. Six months later, we had an event in Los Angeles with 2000+ people. {BWTM} Can you tell us more about MILK: an infant feeding conference? How will it be similar/different from MommyCon? Why is it important? {XZA} There is only so much we can cover at MommyCon in an eight hour day. We knew we always wanted to offer our fans the next level of education, but just couldn’t do it in a one day event that covered such a broad variety of topics. MILK is the first in a series of events that dive deeper into the topics we present at MommyCon, and we are excited to have the first conference in Los Angeles this July/August. It’s important for us to present infant feeding to both consumers and professionals, because the infant feeding dynamic in America is far different in countries that do have paid maternity leave. {BWTM} Describe your perfect day. {XZA} A day spent with my family at the beach on either Amelia Island or Oahu.

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