A little slump in your parent role?
Do you also feel it, this routine that exhausts us, this daily grind that bores us? Everything is fine, we lack nothing, baby is in good health. And yet, between diapers, bottles or breastfeeding, laundry, meal preparations, school schedules, and obligations, we can feel that this routine puts us to sleep. So we love them dearly, huh! All of them: the little ones, the big ones, my partner... And despite this powerful love and these countless tirelessly repeated tasks, with baby snug on the hip in a sling , we get bored... and sometimes even, we feel guilty for not doing enough, for not being enough... While we don't stop for a minute! Rest assured: You are not the only person feeling this way This does not diminish your parenting skills The love you have for your family is not questioned You can join a parent support group And yes, I know... We all dream of a bit of adventure, travel, big meetings, our fulfilling great job... But motherhood and cocooning sometimes have this little imprisoning side, which could trap us in feelings of devaluation! Indeed, the society of doing, of doing quickly and showing everything to everyone, does not help to highlight the background work, invisible and repetitive, of a parent, and I would even say, of a mom... The amazing dads, I haven't forgotten you, but I am sure you will agree with me that all these daily tasks are unfortunately still not shared enough within households, and are far too often the domain, not always chosen, of women. This is all the more true during maternity or parental leave. And surely, it doesn't help either, to: Not have time to get dressed before 3 p.m., because baby keeps you busy Have dark circles under your eyes because you haven't had a full night's sleep in months Wear your maternity sweatpants because you haven't found the time to buy new pants Forget the last visit to the hairdresser... Take a shower quietly at 11 p.m. when everyone is finally asleep Never have 10 minutes alone, not even in the bathroom And I forget others! So, when you catch yourself mumbling for the umpteenth time "I still haven't had time to do anything today", know that it's not true! I invite you to list everything you accomplish and achieve during the day, believe me, you will be positively surprised by the result! Think to ask for help from your surroundings Call a resource person who will tell you how fantastic you are And when you start doubting your skills because you just broke the record for changing the 2000th diaper, don't forget that : You are the best person for your child Try to set achievable short-term goals and see them come true And of course: carrying your child can help you (see article all the times carrying saved my life) But giving birth and raising a little being, love and education, takes time! Nature does things without rushing, and yet everything is accomplished. Lao Tzu And in a system where everything goes very fast, where everything changes all the time, we sometimes tend to forget it. Let's try to cultivate values of patience, perseverance, resignation, and ... humor, always. "You are annoyed to launch a new layette machine because baby decided to redecorate all these pajamas in vomit color? Tell yourself that in 15 years, you will be hanging football socks or crop tops to dry!" And ... We can also look at this monotony from a positive angle. Because this dense and ritualized way of life allows us to juggle multiple tasks. A bit of perspective helps us see that we are getting there, come what may, day after day, without failing. And finally, when we realize that not everyone has the chance to live this cozy purr, it becomes much softer, even precious. Cooking is the factoryWhere the day is preparedWe hum, we bottle-feedThe coffee is willing to passBread slices, bootsWe do everything at the same timeWe dress one or two girlsThe day has begunMechanical workIn the morning gesturesThe gestures we know wellIt's nothing, it's daily happiness Anne Sylvestre
All the times babywearing saved my life!
Single mom in the city, parents on the go or with a large family: Babywearing makes everything easier! For me, babywearing means: Giving him time to sleep , allowing me to share quality time with his brothers and sisters, and yes, no jealousy , we think of everyone! Cook on time so that the siblings don't turn into a gang of hungry little monsters. Have a telephone appointment without interference (You know, the endless 45 minutes with the Caf or social security...) Spending time with my friends and avoiding being isolated, half the evening, in the baby's room . Allowing myself a relaxing break , nestled deep in my favorite armchair, without falling asleep of course Offer my baby a safe space in the crowd and protect him from street stimuli: noise, smell, color (see article on carrying facing the world ) If it can prevent him from having his cheek pinched by the annoying little Grandma "how cute is this baby!" Accompany me during the long nighttime trips up and down the hallway , trying to get the baby back to sleep after a nightmare. You know, when you're so sleepy that the only strength you have left is to move your pelvis to rock the baby and hum a lullaby, which you hope will be effective! It's cheaper than driving around the block, and I even have the luxury of staying in my pajamas ... "Actually, by carrying my children, I did everything" - Camille Have both hands free to: Accompanying my eldest to school without risking a "I don't want to go to school" turnaround Validate the bus ticket and hold on to the bar, while watching over the stroller ! Carry shopping bags and diaper packs (no need to go to the gym!) Continue my hobbies , while spending time with my baby. Go fishing (yes, yes…) Strolling through the undergrowth and picking mushrooms, hiking and reaching the summit via stony paths. Board games with friends, Reading, writing, drawing, Knitting . Volunteer at my local library or community center. Save the price difference with a "high-tech-multifunction-super-plus" stroller, while still allowing for lots of cool tricks. Save space , and allow me to move “light” (compared to the bulky stroller mentioned above) On public transport: train, bus, plane In his apartment In the trunk of the car – no more complicated stroller folding instructions! Facilitate Obstacle crossings Stairs Door openings Sidewalks And even going to the toilet at the station snack bar!
Tips and tricks to optimize the scarf 100%
According to the testimonies of parent users No panic, we're here to support you! You can check out our tutorials to learn from home or get closer to our carrying instructors for more personalized support, which is a real plus to encourage you, and an opportunity for exchange with other parents. And if you still have doubts, here is a list of benefits of the sling, that no other carrying system offers. It is always useful and its options are endless! Imagine a little walk "light mode" and baby is doing well, relaxed, so relaxed that it gives you a gift in the diaper: fold the sling over itself, and it becomes a changing mat! An impromptu nap, it will keep warm like a blanket, in the car or on a small patch of grass, when the older kids are playing in the park, for baby... … Or its parents, because it can also turn into a quilt, on the fly, when mom feels a little cold... A doudou available, a soft fabric with the smell of mom or dad, And even for breastfeeding safely (see tutorial link for the knot) And when baby finally falls asleep in his bed, we roll it into a ball, and it turns into a pillow for parents' nap on the couch. Use the leftover fabric after the knot as a paper towel:Wipe mom's forehead after 3 hours of hiking, while baby naps on her back Mess up baby’s face after a wild snack of a chocolate biscuit. But no, it’s not that dirty! Because another important advantage of the sling is that it washes very easily ! A quick machine wash with the family laundry, and there you go, the job is done! And when baby grows up? Then you can recycle the sling: Throw it on a small table and build enchanted huts; tie it under a table to make a little hammock: perfect for solo reading time; transform it into a small puppet theater curtain, Make a cradle so your growing child can, in turn, play with dolls Or let your creativity run free and even cut it up to make: A tote bag, which will follow you everywhere, as a memory of the cuddly years! Decorative accessories for your little one's room.
Simplicity at the heart of the carry
The birth of a baby is an emotional and physical moment of rare intensity. How can one not be amazed and astonished to have succeeded in creating such a perfect little being? He is finally here, in our arms. So tiny. After the tsunami of his arrival has passed, it is still common to suddenly ask a billion questions. Doubt sets in, insidiously. Will I be up to the task? Will I succeed in taking care of him? Which young parent has not felt suddenly crushed by the awareness of the responsibility that falls on them? Responsibility greatly amplified by the societal expectations to do well. Carrying is an excellent revealer of everything that can happen around parenting in terms of involvement and fear of doing wrong. Everyone carries. Yes, yes! When we talk about carrying, we often imagine a baby carrier, but in reality, the first and main carrying in everyday life is done by holding in the arms! Each parent has one or two functional arms, and every baby, at some point or another, needs to be handled, if only to be changed, everyone does it… Then indeed, various tools have been proposed throughout the evolution of the human species, initially rudimentary and increasingly refined. Depending on cultures and traditions, carrying a child can be encouraged, essential, or on the contrary poorly perceived or even discouraged. Sometimes carried swaddled, sometimes not, in more upright or more curled positions, vertical or horizontal, and so on… As soon as you search for information about carrying on the internet, it’s panic! You need to carry physically, with a sling, but beware if the knot is poorly tied, it’s bad for the baby, and if he’s dressed in footed pajamas, no, really, that’s not good… A non-physio baby carrier? But what an horror, it will ruin his spine… Among all this, let’s not forget the famous advice from Aunt Cunegonde, who reminds us that in her time, they didn’t bother with all this, and anyway, they didn’t die from it… and moreover, it will make a spoiled, arm-carrying baby. So, what do we do with babychou? Well, it depends… Primarily on him. Because let’s not forget that he is still the main interested party! Babies all have their own needs; some will love from the start having their little space and splashing on their mat, others, on the contrary, will only calm down when constantly carried by their parents. Neither of the two situations is abnormal, and especially in cases where the child needs more carrying than average, keep in mind that it won’t last forever. We don't know any 15-year-olds in good health who are still carried or pushed around. Birth remains a challenging stage for the newborn who comes from a very contained environment, where they floated in zero gravity in a liquid filtering most stimuli, and where they knew neither hunger, nor discomfort, nor pain. Some need a bit more time than others to acclimate and ask to be a bit more supported. On average, we observe that by around 3 months, most have passed this milestone and are starting to demand to go to the ground. And what about the parent then? Everyone also needs to find their balance in their relationship with the baby. Sometimes it's easier not to question oneself and to respond to the child's needs without thinking, knowing that it will pass. Sometimes it's more complicated to live through and we negotiate with them to find common ground, a compromise... In both cases, there is no rule. No "better" way. The ideal is always to do what suits us and to observe our child. And to accept that needs and responses can vary from day to day because we are not machines (and too bad for Aunt Cunegonde's good advice)! And what do we carry the baby in? Continuing along the same lines, flexibility is key. No study to date has demonstrated increased risks of injuries or malformations related to a so-called "non-physiological" carrying method practiced with a baby who has no underlying pathology. We recommend opting for physiological carrying for comfort reasons, but that's all. The perfect carry does not exist in real life, the only rules to follow are safety rules: carry the baby vertically, with clear airways, and ensuring they won't fall. These are the first objectives to achieve when carrying your little one; the rest is just a matter of comfort. We remind you that behind a pretty photo, there are sometimes many attempts and hundreds of other failed shots! As for baby clothes, it's a matter of common sense: soft and comfortable clothes (who would take a nap in a wedding dress or do yoga in skinny jeans? No one? Then the same applies to baby, ditch the frilly dress and tight pants). And if the pajamas start to be too short and pull on the feet, just change to a bigger size. In short, it's about bringing simplicity back into the equation. Does the baby need to be carried? Let's carry them, as much as necessary for everyone to be satisfied. Does the baby prefer to be laid down? Let's lay them down. The tool suits us and makes our life easier? As long as it respects safety, everything is perfect. Being a parent is undoubtedly the most complex task of our lives, the one that will crystallize all our energy, all our thoughts, and above all our anxieties, for many (decades) years. It is always easy to criticize and judge others' ways of doing things, and whatever we do with our children, it will never be enough! So as long as we are going to mess up, might as well do it wholeheartedly with something that seemed right to us. And incidentally, to build oneself with perfect parents, but what pressure for our children! Carrying in a sling is above all the pleasure of contact with your little one, creating an indestructible bond. No matter the tool or the beauty of the gesture, no one will judge anyone for how well they manage to use a wrap! What matters are the desire, the needs, and that it helps facilitate daily life by reducing tears.
Taking a baby on a trip
Dreaming of adventure, travel, hopping into a van for a road trip all around Europe... But your family has just grown and you're not quite sure how to reconcile the two. What if carrying gear was a key element to making your project happen? The quest for minimal clutter Young parents know this: the volume of equipment to bring when you have a baby is ! Whether for a short weekend or a longer trip, renting the necessary semi-trailer to carry the "just in case" gear is generally not part of the plan. So begins the painful sorting process. Some choices are simple, but others are more tricky: the maxi stroller is very comfortable for the baby but takes the space of 3 suitcases. Meaning: you'll have to do without, but you'll need to figure out how, without sacrificing everyone’s comfort. This is where the baby carrier finds its first advantage: Flexible, compact, and lightweight, it easily slips between two bags and takes up almost no space. Remember a weekend in the mountains with 3 children and a dog in a tiny car packed to the brim, where the baby carrier was folded as a blanket over the baby and the sling was worn as a snood around my neck (the stroller, on the other hand, wouldn't fit!). Note that space saving is only effective if you opt for physiological baby carriers: large hiking backpacks with frames, besides being very uncomfortable, don't fold well and also take up a huge volume! A little breeze of freedom Who hasn't found themselves stuck in front of a huge staircase, a cobbled street, or a monument visit where stroller access is prohibited? The baby carrier allows you to face all unforeseen obstacles of your trip without headaches. Baby follows you everywhere, regardless of the terrain! Fancy a spontaneous hike on nearby paths? Just clip it on and go! An inaccessible place for the stroller? No need for a last-minute backup plan, nor the risk of theft if you leave the stroller in designated space. Whether for a day at the beach or a sightseeing tour, thanks to carrying you remain free to move around and can travel anywhere without the risk of getting stuck. Travel with confidence in transportation A suitcase in one hand, the stroller to fold in the other, the crying baby to manage in the middle, and the crowd getting impatient behind (without help, of course, that would be too simple)... Does this situation sound familiar to you? It’s the one that often occurs when trying to take the train with your baby. Sometimes, there are also difficulties when taking the plane, between the oversized stroller that must go in the hold or takes the place of another carry-on bag, and the security checks and waiting time before boarding to manage. Seated in a carrier, your child is secured during various handling procedures, you have free hands to manage a possibly fussy baby, and you can also sneak through the aisles more easily if they need to be rocked. The globetrotting baby For the baby, there are also many advantages to traveling in a carrier! Environmental changes can sometimes be more difficult for some little ones to handle: away from home, they can become nervous, anxious, have more difficulty falling asleep, and their routines and references are disrupted. This is all the more true as the transit places can be noisy and overwhelming (crowds, noise, lights...). Snuggled against you, they are reassured and secured and cope better with the various upheavals. Since tourist sites are often very popular, it’s not uncommon to find yourself right in the middle of a crowd. In a stroller, the child is at knee height of the people, even if you are careful they can be jostled, burned by cigarettes held downward, and the sight of legs pressing around them is clearly not the most pleasant. Snuggled against you, they will feel less overwhelmed by the crowd, and they can also enjoy the visits and panoramic views. For older children, they will also appreciate being able to rest a bit when they are tired. The ideal baby carrier for the little budding adventurer Now that the basics are covered: which carrying system should we put in our travel bag? If you have to choose only one, a preformed carrier is probably the most versatile because it combines both comfort with good weight distribution and the practical necessities of emergency or outdoor setups. It is easy to use for passing airport security or re-installing the baby in the middle of the train aisle upon arrival. Compact and lightweight, it also features a very low volume of bulk. Wrap, sling, and mei-tai They remain choice allies as well but will often need to combine with each other to handle all situations. Being very flexible, they easily slip to the bottom of a bag or between two suitcases and will be appreciated for a more cozy side with a very small one. All that remains is to wish you a good trip!
Are essential oils endocrine disruptors?
There is much talk about endocrine disruptors, but what exactly is an endocrine disruptor? An endocrine disruptor is a substance capable of interfering with our hormonal system by inducing a harmful effect on health. Critical periods of development where hormonal regulation is particularly important (during fetal development, early childhood, puberty or adolescence, pregnancy), exposure to endocrine disruptors can be concerning. A multitude of substances can be endocrine disruptors, but certain pesticides and plastic components have been found to be endocrine disruptors, such as bisphenol A for example, which is now banned in baby bottles and food containers. A national program to identify endocrine disruptors is underway to regulate them. Are essential oils suspected of being endocrine disruptors? In the media, a scientific study has been reported multiple times, where American researchers demonstrated an endocrine disruption after applying cosmetic products containing lavender and tea tree essential oils. Notably, 60 Million Consumers relayed this study, raising fears and mistrust among consumers regarding these essential oils without any real basis! Since its publication, this study has been cited hundreds of times as a reference for the estrogenic or endocrine-disrupting activity of lavender or tea tree essential oils without additional data. This study has been criticized by many authors on several points and other studies have shown that these essential oils do not disrupt the endocrine system. The SCCS, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety of the European Commission, discredited this study itself. Some authors attribute the endocrine effect noted in the American study to phthalates contained in plastics or pesticides that may have contributed to the effect. And what about Neobulle products? At Neobulle, we pay close attention both in the choice of ingredients and in our packaging choices. We select high-quality and organic essential oils. Our certification body, Bureau Veritas, regularly conducts tests on our finished products to check for the absence of pesticides. We choose packaging free of phthalates for plastics or made of glass with good chemical resistance. We remain very attentive to the evolution of techniques and scientific research in this field.
How to relax during pregnancy?
Serene and relaxed during your pregnancy As we know that pregnancy is sometimes made up of questions, small moments of depression or rollercoaster emotions, here are some tips to follow for a serene pregnancy. One rule only: 0% guilt and 100% pleasure! Shall we go? The "feeling good in your body" trick Sophrology, prenatal yoga, haptonomy or even swimming are all techniques for preparing for childbirth that bring well-being, serenity, and vitality. Whatever stage of pregnancy you're at, remember that they are always accessible. The "creative feather" trick Writing down your emotions in a pregnancy journal can be very beneficial. Note the small (or big) daily joys. Project yourself into the future with baby. Your projects, your desires. The great adventure you are living. A nice notebook. A pencil. Be positive. Everything is said! The "pampering" trick A little visit to the beautician? A manicure appointment? A hairdresser stopover? How nice it is to be pampered. Take this opportunity to relax and unwind. The "total relaxation" trick A massage from your loved one with the magic Well-being oil from Néobulle, for a pure moment of relaxation and comfort, which will fill you with pleasure. A pleasure that baby will also feel. Relaxation as seen by Néobulle We have created an entire Relaxation range to accompany you with serenity during stressful moments. Discover your future relaxation allies here
World Breastfeeding Week
Breastfeeding, Neobulle's starting point! During this World Week, we can only encourage and support actions taken to better inform and support breastfeeding! So what is the connection with Neobulle? Professional nurse and breastfeeding mother, I realized that there was a lack of structure to promote breastfeeding. It was obvious, and I created it in 2002, the Reflait network to support breastfeeding in the Loire (42).I also offered breastfeeding consultations within maternity wards.There were so many requests that I couldn't respond to all the moms.Moms sought support for breastfeeding but also for support in general. That's why I had the idea to create an association to offer baby massage sessions, carrying workshops, prenatal singing classes, discussions, bonding... It allowed moms to meet each other (there weren't often dads present at the time 😊) and to reassure each other about their breastfeeding through exchange and example. To meet the needs of parents and babies encountered in workshops, we gradually developed suitable products: slings, magical potions in aromatherapy... all with the hope of manufacturing locally!This is how the Neobulle products were born! Yes, breastfeeding is really Neobulle's starting point!Gradually, we developed a range of natural care products to support breastfeeding and the couples who chose it. What remains important to us is to continue helping and supporting couples as much as possible in their breastfeeding journey (whatever it may be... short, long, exclusive, or partial breastfeeding).The issue isn't about breastfeeding or not; everyone is free to choose based on their beliefs and personal history. However, we (society, health professionals, associations... and even manufacturers like Neobulle) must support those who have made this choice so that breastfeeding is a success and not a battleground! Séverine Martial
Everything to know about skin-to-skin contact
It has long been a tradition to wrap the baby in a cloth before handing it to the mother after birth. But this trend is giving way to skin-to-skin contact. The practice involves placing the baby, nude or in a diaper, directly against the mother’s chest. It is not uncommon for skin-to-skin contact to be offered to the father when the mother is unable to do it herself. It is also called the Kangaroo method. So, is it a passing trend or a recommended practice? And why practice skin-to-skin contact? How is "nurturing" skin-to-skin contact? It was in Colombia, 40 years ago, that Dr. Edgar Rey Sanabria imagined warming premature babies by placing them, undressed, against the bare chest of their parents. The practice has existed for a long time. However, it has only recently been adopted by French maternity wards. How to practice skin-to-skin contact? Baby must, of course, be undressed initially. Usually, their diaper is left on. Their chest is placed on the parent’s chest, who has previously undressed their torso. Their head must be free to breathe comfortably. They are generally covered with a sheet and a blanket so they don’t get cold. Skin-to-skin contact can be practiced sitting or standing. To do this, you will choose a carrying sling made of Oeko-Tex cotton (a fabric free from pollutants, heavy metals, and toxins). Similar to a physiological baby carrier, it adapts to all body types and allows you to keep the baby comfortably against you, safely. Neobulle offers several models of slings, including the without knot sling My Sling Jersey. Why practice skin-to-skin contact? Calming the baby Practiced immediately after birth, skin-to-skin contact, as we mentioned, has the advantage of warming the baby. Indeed, against the parent’s chest, the baby regulates its temperature and, at the same time, stabilizes its heart rate. Through this practice, it also regulates its breathing. Skin-to-skin contact even helps increase its blood sugar levels! Later, the kangaroo method is reputed to calm the baby’s cries. Studies have shown that babies practicing this method cry much less than those placed in their cribs. Reassuring the baby Childbirth is a test for the mother… but it is also for the baby. The transition from the mother's womb to open air is the first great adventure of their life! No more the comfort of a warm, cozy belly! When born, baby loses their bearings and needs to be reassured. This is why the first skin-to-skin contact is important for baby. It reconnects them with the heartbeat of the person who carried them for months, it hears the familiar voice of mom or even, dad. And then the warmth of the parent's body helps to reassure them! All these "little details" allow them to enter their new life more gently. Reassuring parents It's not only baby who is soothed by skin-to-skin contact! Parents who practice it also feel a sense of calm. In the practice of the kangaroo method, an increase in oxytocin, the "love" hormone, is observed. This hormone has the ability to soothe and release anxieties. And it is scientifically proven! Skin-to-skin reduces parental stress! This close contact with baby may even promote the production of endorphins, hormones secreted by the brain that are known to create a sensation of euphoria. Facilitating breastfeeding The hormones produced during skin-to-skin offer a feeling of well-being that helps to strengthen the parent-child bond. Oxytocin, in particular, already produced by the mother throughout pregnancy, contributes to the production of breast milk. The milk let-down reflex is thus promoted after birth. Skin-to-skin also helps to maintain lactation afterward. Practicing the kangaroo method from birth finally promotes the baby's instinct to find their mother's breast! Developing the child's immune system Skin-to-skin truly has more than one trick up its sleeve! It also has the recognized ability to develop the baby's immune system. And this is important because it will help limit the infection rate they may face. * Beyond the practice carried out immediately after birth, skin-to-skin retains all its benefits for months! That is why it is important to continue practicing it upon returning from the maternity ward and until the baby is 12 months old. A way to continue fostering calming exchanges between parent and baby! The first months with baby will be all the sweeter!
