The NeoBulle Journal

Protect baby from mosquitoes!

BzzZBZz Did you recognize it too? The unbearable mosquito BzzBzz that waits for the light in your room to go out so it can taunt you with its "sweet" melody then bite you… Are you tired of ending up in spy mode under the sheet in the middle of a heatwave, to protect yourself from the invader's assaults? Good news, we have solutions for you! Without chemical insecticides, only based on organic essential oils, carefully dosed to be used even with babies and pregnant or breastfeeding women, we explain everything about our mosquito repellents! Neobulle anti-sting range Repelling Invaders Avoid being devoured; it’s primarily about keeping the unwanted at a distance! Combining mosquito nets, fans (some mosquitoes can be disoriented by airflow), and long clothing, repellents come in different forms: Spray or diffuse into the air of a room Apply directly on yourself The anti-sting repellent spray is ideal when you want to protect yourself from mosquitoes in an enclosed space (house, tent, etc.). Made from organic essential oils of fine lavender, eucalyptus citriodora, and rose geranium, it is specifically designed to be safely used even with babies (from 3 months) and pregnant women (from 3 months of pregnancy). The spray contains no gas. For optimal effectiveness, it is best to spray it before nightfall (and the arrival of nuisances!) in a well-ventilated room, and wait 15 minutes before letting the baby re-enter. Its diffuser counterpart works on the same principle, with either a 10-minute diffusion in an aired room before nightfall, or 5 minutes per hour in other living areas. Note that these two products are intended for outdoor use only and should not be used to impregnate clothing or on the skin! Once outside, we prefer protections to be applied directly on the skin. To best suit all needs, anti-sting oils come in 2 concentrations: Light formula for babies over 3 months old, pregnant women (from 3 months of pregnancy), and breastfeeding women Stronger formula for adults (excluding pregnancy and breastfeeding) and children from 3 years old. The oil is intended to protect exposed parts of the body (no need to slather from head to toe!), and is applied on healthy skin to avoid worsening eczema, for example. Enjoy meals on terraces and walks in complete serenity! You're about to enjoy 5 hours of peace! Unidentified flying or crawling creatures! HAAAAAA what is this thing?! Does the sound of an unidentified insect's wings make you scream in panic, coupled with frantic arm waving, even at home? While we talk a lot about mosquitoes (especially our new friends the tiger mosquitoes), unfortunately they are not the only ones bothering us in summer. Although our formulas have only been tested and proven effective against mosquitoes and tiger mosquitoes, we have received plenty of feedback from our teams and other heavy users of the anti-bite range indicating good results on other six- or eight-legged creatures (or more).  Down with flies, ticks, and other spiders! Oh no, it's too late! An insidious mosquito waited for you to lower your guard and viciously attacked you… The result is immediate: IT ITCHES!!! Now's the time to grab the Adou'Pik stick! A quick roll-on later, PHEW, relief is immediate. Because we know everyone can get bitten, the Adou'Pik stick is designed to be used even on very small children (from 3 months) and future mothers (from 3 months of pregnancy). It easily slips into a handbag or pocket and will accompany you everywhere without any hassle. Mosquitoes, but not only… The Adou'Pik formula is effective against anything likely to bite, not just mosquito bites but also other biting insects. It can be used to relieve mosquito bites and generally all other stinging plants, as well as wasp and bee stings, and jellyfish stings. … One can imagine, out of desperation, that the most avid users of our products have ventured much further than us and have tried less conventional tests such as incredible chickenpox buttons. Regarding this last point, it seems that the ultimate combination consists of the Adou'Pik stick on the itchy vesicles, then the P'tits Bobo stick when they swell and are likely to leave scars. You understand, the anti-itch range is a real must-have in family pharmacies! Developed in France with ingredients from organic farming, it is also local and ecological, which adds to the pleasure. And you, have you already tried it?

Postpartum after a cesarean

Your labor was or will be by cesarean section and you don't know if carrying your little one is possible and if so under which conditions? This article is for you! The immediate postpartum, what precautions Whether after a vaginal birth or a cesarean, carrying your baby in your arms or using a carrier system is possible right after birth, but requires some precautions: Avoid pressure on the abdomen: the perineum being weakened by pregnancy, it performs its role less effectively and pressure on the belly tends to push the organs downward, increasing the risk of complications such as organ prolapse Take time to recover: pregnancy and childbirth are trials for the body; taking care of yourself allows to recover physically and psychologically Sometimes it is said that after a cesarean, you should wait a month before carrying your child. While it is true that a cesarean being an operation, recovery can sometimes take longer, the scar may take more or less time to heal, pain may be observed, and it is therefore important to be especially cautious not to push too hard. It is also worth noting that it is not realistic to imagine that the young mother will not carry her baby at all! Sometimes we find ourselves in very paradoxical situations where carrying a baby with a carrier is discouraged but where the new mother ends up carrying the baby in the stroller or in a car seat, which turns out to be much worse than the initially prohibited situation! A well-adjusted baby carrier allows distributing the load across the entire chest, often relieving tensions observed in the arms (tensing, fear of dropping the baby, baby appearing heavier) and overloading the abdomen, so it is a real ally, especially after a somewhat complicated delivery. Whether carried in arms or with a device, it is recommended to listen to your body: when a feeling of heaviness is felt in the perineum, if possible, it is strongly recommended to lie down to relieve the area. Which baby carrier to use? All physiological systems allowing to carry high on the chest (to avoid pressure on the abdomen, especially the scar which can be painful) are usable. In brief: Carrying scarves Slings Mei-tai carriers Preformed carriers allowing high shoulder carrying (Neo or MyNeo, for example) Preformed baby carriers that distribute the load only on the pelvis are not recommended, not least because the waistband will be positioned directly on the scar! Non-physiological baby carriers that do not allow a proper fit and promote the baby hanging on the caregiver's body will tend to put more strain on the abdomen to compensate for their poorer stability. You understand, using a carrying system after a cesarean is entirely possible. It is always important to listen to your body and not push yourself in case of pain or heaviness. Remember that baby carriers are not meant to allow you to tidy up the house immediately postpartum: rest is essential above all!

10 original ideas for baby shower gifts

Your little one will soon be showing up, and your family keeps asking you what you need or what you would like to receive as a gift. You are desperately trying to make a birth list but, if you generally know very well what you DON'T want (you've already declined Aunt Cunegonde's offer and her old baby walker), you have no idea what you could possibly ask for! We help you with some ideas. – The anti-list: no plush toys, clothing, and Co Let's start with the gifts that should BE REMOVED from the possible choices. Plush toys: A plush toy is cute. The problem is that generally, you receive more than one, rather 10! All this so that in the end, baby ends up choosing a pacifier, a sheet, a duvet, or balloons (dedication to dear son) and the pile of plush toys ends up in a box in the basement. Clothing: In 3 or 6 months, you often receive enough to dress quintuplets (meaning: you won't even have time to put everything on him before baby has already outgrown it)... Often these are very pretty clothes but also very uncomfortable: frilly little dresses, slim jeans, beautiful for souvenir photos but much less for your little heart and his comfort. Larger sizes are more durable and less often given, but there remains the risk that when baby reaches the right size to wear them (which is hard to predict), the clothing will not be suitable for the season. Snaps and headbands: Similar to plush toys, it's a "easy" and inexpensive gift, as long as baby has a head which is not guaranteed! Dangerous objects: We repeat and reiterate: in a baby's bed, you put NOTHING. Bed canopies and crib bumpers are very Instagrammable but pose a serious risk of suffocation. Babies always move much more than you think and can get stuck inside, and the materials sold as "breathable" are just as problematic as their counterparts (marketing hello...). In general: you do not give a parent a tool that you know is "against" or that does not match their values. (We know, it sounds basic but unfortunately, this notion is not understood by everyone! 1 – The cocoon bath: the original towel-bib You don't know it yet, but taking your little frog out of the bath, all wet, slipping, crying, and struggling because she would rather stay inside, is sometimes a bit like catch and everyone ends up soaked! The apron design allows the parent to have free hands to pick up their little one, and to be able to wrap them very quickly in the towel as soon as they are out, to quickly keep them warm against them while staying dry. Big, fluffy, and incredibly soft, the cocoon bath is definitely a must-have! 2 – Parenting workshops Carrying, baby massage, wrapped bath, sign language… The offer is increasingly developed and allows learning a lot about your baby in an atmosphere that is generally relaxed and warm. More than a material gift, it is time spent with your family and helps strengthen bonds. It is also useful, which adds to the pleasure! 3 – A baby carrier Sometimes a bit expensive for one person, the carrying system can be the subject of a group purchase. It is a useful gift that will serve daily to make life easier for the whole family by meeting the needs of the baby while freeing the parents' arms. We always recommend having the main carrying system at home before the baby is born, even if you buy it yourself and get reimbursed afterward (possible when it is a gift from a close person, for example): this allows to be sure to have it right away and not to have to wait to see people when you would have needed it earlier. If you already have your main baby carrier, the gift registry can allow you to be offered a secondary system (for example, a sling to complement the already owned wrap). If you're still unsure about what will suit you, don't hesitate to prefer a small fund for later financing! 4 – Baby care products Well-being oils, to soothe digestive troubles and colic or to help with sleep… We always appreciate having something to massage the baby and it allows for a privileged contact with them and to strengthen the bond. Care products also come in many other ranges focused on bath time (soap, shampoos, bubble bath…), everyday minor injuries (bruises, small wounds…), winter viruses, or insect bites. Always useful to have on hand in case of need. Can't decide? Opt for gift sets offering carefully selected skincare assortments based on your needs! Bonus: Neobulle oils are delicately scented and crafted in France from organic and natural ingredients. 5 – Chewable toys Made of natural rubber and free from toxic substances, we love Oli and Carol toys, and so do children! Shaped like fruits and vegetables and just the right flexible, they are a must-have that babies will love to chew on when their gums start to tickle. The range also includes bath toys WITHOUT HOLES that won't mold (those who know...). A personal favorite is the flycatcher anemone for its slightly rebellious vibe, but we leave it up to you to discover their entire range! The fruit and vegetable ranges can then be recycled into a play kitchen, making them very durable toys! NB: Want a targeted gift for teething? You can pair a calming gum oil with the rattle! 6 – The practical "you can never have too many" The "you can never have too many" category includes everything you can buy AND be given as duplicates or triplicates because, as the name suggests, you can never have too many! Among the items on the list are: - Diapers: these large muslin fabric squares are absolutely useful for EVERYTHING! Including: for reflux and vomit, milk overflowing during feeding, isolating baby from the floor when placed somewhere, swaddling, as a light improvised blanket... You quickly get used to losing a few everywhere (in every room of the house, stroller, car, diaper bag...), and they also have a pretty interesting potential to be turned into a comforter. - Washable wipes: an easy substitute for disposable cotton and wipes used for cleaning baby's bottom during diaper changes, washable wipes do just as good a job AND are eco-friendly since they prevent a lot of waste. Easy to maintain, they also remain very useful later for wiping the face. or rinse the little hands full of chocolate. Want something more complete than just a few wipes? Opt for kits that combine washable wipes and care products that can complement them and easily fit into the diaper bag! 7 – Little dishes This gift is a bit separate, but fully in line with the parenting support necessary postpartum. Having one or more dishes brought to be frozen is taking full advantage of the visit from a loved one because then you won't have to prepare a meal once they leave! And it's also appreciated to have advance preparation for the difficult days when fatigue and baby’s cries mix. This also works for hours of cleaning or babysitting as needed! 8 – A portable diaper bag We all know the bottomless diaper bag that allows you to bring half of the house with you. Reassuring for first outings where we tend to pack it a bit "just in case," but ultimately quite quickly cumbersome, especially for short trips… The portable diaper bag easily slips under the stroller or into a large handbag, and allows you to have all the essentials for changing the baby within reach and with minimal bulk. It’s also a real asset for parents who love to travel and hike! 9 – Simple toys By simple toys, we mean anything that doesn’t contain batteries. Whether for your nerves (and your eardrums) or for your baby’s, simpler toys are better. Say goodbye to blinking noise-making gadgets (always too loud and without adjustable settings), which overstimulate and excite the baby! Prefer wooden or fabric toys, which gently stimulate the senses (notably touch). It also applies to mobiles: an object that spins with light and music just above the baby’s head is more like a disco ball in a nightlight than a soothing lullaby! 10 – A portable carrier blanket / sleep sack Did you know? Thick clothing (coat, snowsuit…) is not recommended in car seats (safety risk because the strap is no longer properly adjusted on the child) and baby carriers (impossibility of properly adjusting the system in particular). On the market, there are carrying blankets and footmuffs for strollers or cars. Neobulle makes your life easier by combining the 2 needs into a single product A blanket designed to accompany carrying in protecting baby from the elements thanks to its water-repellent and windproof exterior, AND that can be used as a footmuff thanks to the opening allowing the strap to pass through. Your little one can thus switch from the carrying system to the car seat while staying warm. The list is obviously not exhaustive but we hope it will give you and your loved ones some ideas! Note that some needs may also arise later in the baby’s life and cannot be anticipated: gift cards or crowdfunding can help avoid buying lots of "useless" items because "you have to", and to enjoy the thoughtful gestures of loved ones at different times! For a gift card, click here!

Wearing winter

Too hot? Too cold? It's the eternal question of ALL parents, which becomes a reality until the child is old enough to clearly express how they feel (and where, generally, you don't believe them anyway, but that's another topic...). The most obvious solution is to favor contact and proximity with your little one, and therefore carry them. But how to cover them and be sure they won't be cold when temperatures drop? We offer you a brief overview of best practices. Dress baby in the baby carrier It is always recommended to dress your baby normally, as indoors, remembering that the carrier counts as clothing: if your little one has a small undershirt on the floor on their mat, for example, you should remove it in the carrier, because the material of the system around them replaces it. When you want to go outside, you dress more warmly, but around the baby and yourself, not each individually. The first reflex is often to want to put a jumpsuit (pilot suit) or a coat on your child. This raises several problems: It is very uncomfortable for your baby, especially if you try to maintain a physiological position: imagine sitting, crouched in a ski suit, and you'll get a little preview! It's quite stiff: it generally prevents your baby from bringing their hands to their mouth, which they need to calm and reassure themselves. This is also true in a stroller! It creates significant layers at the joints, which can especially hinder proper blood circulation in the legs It can hinder the proper clearance of the airways by creating thickness at the throat It prevents proper adjustment of carrying systems and can pose safety issues (increased risk of falling, especially in a sling) And most importantly: since the baby is farther from you, they also cool down much more because they no longer benefit from your body heat! Which is totally counterproductive. Carrying over your coat is also discouraged: Impossible to make a proper installation this way Risk of injury from buttons and zippers And like with the jumpsuit: the farther the baby is from you, the easier they cool down. The idea is then to have your little heart dressed in normal indoor clothes, possibly a thin undershirt if it's really -10°C, and then: Cover what extends beyond the baby carrier: hat, slippers/leggings (hands are against you and do not get cold) Put on your usual coat and we position a carrying blanket to make the connection on the baby (wide coats tend to cover the respiratory pathways). The advantage of doing so is that in case of passing through warmer places (such as a store), it allows you to easily uncover your baby and prevent him from "cooking" in his suit and crying while you finish your shopping. Note that thick clothing is also discouraged in cars:  The harness of the car seat or shell must be very snug on the baby; with a suit, it adjusts to the thickness, but in case of shock, it flattens and the child can pass through the harness, so he is no longer protected The car's heating quickly warms the interior and your baby will be way too hot. NB: Neobulle's carrying blanket is designed to be used also in the car, making it a go-to tool for everyday logistics! Clear the airways The fear of cold should not make you forget the basic safety rules; clearing the airways is at the top of the list. It is not uncommon in winter to see parents pull up the blanket or their coat all the way to the top of their toddler’s head, to be sure that cold air will not bother him. In fact, cold air won't bother him, but the air in general will not circulate! And it’s likely you’ve noticed that he needs some air to breathe. Like with the baby carrier, the blanket or coat should reach up as high as the back of the neck of your child, leaving the face visible and clear. A hat or a hood is more than enough to protect his head. "Put on your little woolly sweater, you'll catch a cold!" In quite general terms, behind the fear of cold is actually the fear that the child won't get sick, largely fueled by popular beliefs and the injunctions to "dress the baby well because they get cold easily, you know". On one hand, overbundling is not better than underbundling. And most importantly, you don’t get sick because of the cold, but because of pathogenic elements in the environment (viruses, etc...). If cold can slightly sensitize the mucous membranes and humidity can promote germ proliferation, it is not directly responsible for falling ill. You could run naked in the snow, for example; if your path did not cross with a virus, you would stay healthy (plus cold preserves). ) !   Avoid passing from arm to arm and kisses, airing out the home, washing hands well, and wearing a mask if you are ill will be much more effective measures to protect your little one from winter ailments (bronchiolitis, for example)!   Singing in the rain  Carrying your baby also makes outings easier in rainy weather. We dedicate this paragraph to those who have already had to urgently figure out how to install the rain cover on the stroller in pouring rain, to those who had to mop up their flooded entryway with water dripping from the rain cover and mud from the wheels, and to those who found themselves pushing the stroller in a deluge without a free hand for an umbrella. We know you know! (Others, we leave it to your imagination)  With just an umbrella, you can continue your journeys calmly and dry !   Carrying and winter activities  Mountain activities, does that appeal to you? Yes, but with a good baby carrier!   Many winter activities are accessible when you carry your baby. Of course, we advise against climbing Mont-Blanc, but a short walk or snowshoe hike is entirely possible ! The usual precautions are quite basic:  Favor back carrying due to increased fall risks with front carrying Avoid a too long walk, especially if it is very cold (remember that your baby does not exert physical effort and cools down faster than you)  Take small, regular breaks to move your baby a bit and ensure that their extremities do not get too cold. Feet, in particular, are very prone to frostbite. This risk is greatly reduced by using a physiological baby carrier and by the close proximity to the carrier (far from you in a child carrier with supports, the child cools down much faster !)  In case of extreme temperatures, you can opt for lightweight woolen clothing instead of cotton: soft and thin, they keep the baby warm without making them sweat or overheat, and allow freedom of movement and comfort.  You also appreciate carrying if you have clothes to retrieve from the snowfront (étonnantly, the wheels of the stroller roll much less well on snow).  In short, you understand that close to you, it is much easier to assess whether your child is hot or cold, and they better regulate their temperature.  Incidentally, it also keeps you warm, which adds to the pleasure ! 

Which pre-shaped baby carrier should be used from birth?

Your little miracle will arrive soon and you want to carry her. You have read everywhere that the sling is ideal, but it scares you or doesn’t appeal to you at all. Don’t panic: the carrying market is very diverse and there are now preformed baby carriers perfectly adapted to the specifics of the newborn! What should we pay attention to in order to choose well? We’ll explain everything to you! The Hypotonic Newborn At birth, the infant is completely hypotonic: to simplify, it is all soft, a bit like a rag doll, and is not capable of voluntary and controlled movements nor of simply stabilizing its body. This is mainly due to the immaturity of part of its nervous system (myelin sheaths, which help transmit nerve impulses, are not well formed), and also the muscles that have not yet been trained. The tone of the newborn will follow the maturation of the myelin sheath: initially along the spine, which will allow axial tone development (around 3-4 weeks, you will notice that the baby begins to stabilize on its vertical axis), then along the arms and legs (about 5-6 months for the baby to voluntarily grasp something). Carrying a newborn involves taking into account the lack of tone to offer an arrangement that compensates for it. In a carrying sling, precise fabric adjustments are used; in a baby carrier that doesn’t allow such fine tuning, you can play with 2 factors: The size of the panel The fit of the bodies A baby carrier of the right size A too-large baby carrier risks floating and gaping in the back of a small baby, not offering the necessary stability to compensate for the lack of precise adjustments: the newborn risks collapsing inside, which is not optimal for freeing their airways To reduce the size of the panel, brands offer several options. Option 1: using a reducer / cushion: With a reducer or cushion, the panel itself is not adjustable, but the baby sits higher on the device, which artificially decreases the height. In this configuration, the baby’s feet cannot come out because the seat is too wide, so they remain inside. This causes a problem where the support under the soles of the feet stimulates a pushing reflex: the baby will automatically start pushing with their legs, and soon they may stand up inside the system. Generally, around 3 or 4 months, they will be too big for the reducer but too small for the main system, and you will be stuck. The use of a reducer should always catch your attention: you are sold a baby carrier designed for a child of at least 6-8 months, trying to fudge so that it looks like it’s for a younger one. A more illustrative corollary: it’s like selling you a pair of shoes two sizes too big, claiming the foot will grow, and telling you to use insoles until it fits properly. Option 2: offer adjustments on the panel: Adjustments allow you to reduce the height and width of the back panel and adapt it to the actual size of the baby. This solution is more relevant because it allows for better overall adjustability of the system. The limitation is that you cannot evolve a panel from birth to 4 years because the amount of material necessary to carry a larger child cannot be folded enough for the size to be small enough to stabilize a newborn. There are therefore baby carrier sizes, generally with ranges such as: birth/2 years, 3-4 months/3 years, 1 year/5 years. A carrying system sold to carry from birth to 4 years must always catch your attention too! No material in baby gear is as adjustable because the needs of a newborn and a 4-year-old are too different. You need to change stroller, bed, car seat, etc. Carrying systems are no exception to this rule. The fitting of bodies The concept of body fitting is a key notion that involves finding a carrying height that allows the newborn to naturally align with the carrier’s body. This enables stability and is largely what allows physiologic carrying to avoid needing to hold the head because it rests on the chest. Respecting body fitting is essential as long as the child cannot support their back on their own! It is considered that sitting is well acquired (around 8-10 months if we want to be precise, when they can sit up alone). Generally, to find the right position, aim above the woman’s breasts and the man’s pectorals: if the carrier is too low, the baby’s head ends up right in the middle and has no choice but to lean backwards or to the side to avoid it (it’s like putting two rigid cushions right on your head—you will try to go around them and won’t settle into them). The other consequence is that the baby, losing the necessary anchoring for stability, sinks. While body fitting is quite intuitive for women, for men it initially requires a bit more reflection because it’s not natural to bring the child up on their body: you really need to aim as high as possible, as if you wanted their head nestled in the neck. (for more comfort, the installation can be slightly shifted). Let's go back to our preformed baby carriers, problem: the vast majority of these are designed to distribute the load on the belt. This results in carrying low on the pelvis, which is not at all compatible with what we just saw regarding body fitting. Therefore, it is necessary to look for a baby carrier whose design allows for high carrying on the chest: these are recognizable by the attachment of the strap on the belt and not the apron. This allows, by adjusting the straps, to lift the child instead of pressing him down. Attention: this type of carrying distributes the weight entirely on the straps (meaning: the carrier’s shoulders), so for comfort it is essential to take the time to tighten well to have a baby as high as possible and in close contact with you. This prevents the very unpleasant hanging effect. The body of the young mother We have covered the needs of the little one; it is also important to consider the needs of the young mother. Immediately postpartum, it is strongly advised against applying pressure on the abdomen to allow the perineum to strengthen and the organs to return to their proper place. With a baby carrier that distributes the weight on the belt, one might be tempted to place the child at the waist to lift him and seek proper body fitting, but doing so compresses the belly by exerting downward pressure, creating a "toothpaste tube" effect between the organs and the perineum, which, as you understand, is a very bad idea! Even without going to such extremes, simply feeling pressure on the belly is generally quite uncomfortable, especially since the belt is often rigid. Using a baby carrier that distributes the load on the straps is therefore essential for the mother’s proper recovery. The belt, in this context, only serves to stabilize the initial setup; during carrying, it becomes useless and could even be unclipped if desired. It is also preferable that this belt be flexible and not rigid: even if not tight around the abdomen, it could hinder the young mother. Worn high on the chest, the weight of the baby will also be less felt, which is reassuring when one has not yet fully regained control of one's body. The Neo range At Néobulle, the Neo range was designed to try to best adapt to the various constraints listed above. Neo and my Neo have been specifically designed for carrying a newborn, with a reduced apron size and a carry mode exclusively on the straps to avoid having to worry about choosing the right type of carrier when the baby has just arrived and you're tired. The My Neo in knit is perfect for the first year, the Neo in fabric wrap can be used up to 2 years old for your little one. Neo Plus is aimed at slightly older babies, from about 3 months up to 3 years. It is a transitional age product for a child who still requires high chest carrying but, as they grow, will weigh more and will find carrying more comfortable with a weight distribution on the hips, this baby carrier offers two carrying modes with two possible strap attachments: on the belt or on the apron. You are now a little better equipped to choose your ideal baby carrier by outsmarting marketing tricks! Now all that's left is to enjoy your little sweetheart. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZfwO6HLkYY

Focus on the Mei-tai

The article of the day is dedicated to the mei-tai, also called Asian-inspired baby carrier or more simply "the thing like a scarf but easier". What is a mei-tai? What are the advantages and disadvantages of this type of system? We explain everything to you! So, what exactly is a Mei-tai? The Asian-inspired baby carrier is presented in the form of a rectangle of fabric (called the apron), with four straps inserted at the corners which form the waistband and shoulder straps. Many traditional carrying systems are used in Asia, but the versions we find here have been highly westernized and often bear little resemblance to their original models (hence the increasing avoidance of the term "Asian baby carrier" in favor of Asian-inspired). What are the main characteristics of the Mei-tai? There are many different mei-tai models on the market. While the earliest versions were very basic (no adjustments), the most recent ones allow for adjusting the size of the apron, notably by reducing the width between the legs and the height, which allows significantly improving comfort and ensuring a better fit to the baby’s size (at least for the reference brands). Among the possible variations, you can find: Straps that are extendable or padded at the shoulder of the wearer Belts that can be tied or clipped (mei-tais in this category are called "hybrids" because they are halfway between preformed models) Most Asian-inspired baby carriers on the market are suitable for children from 3 or 4 months: this is because, even when maximally reduced, the apron often turns out to be a bit too wide and too high to comfortably and safely carry a newborn (risk of collapse in the system). They can be suitable for carrying up to about 3 years old, after which they are generally too narrow to allow for physiological use (support up to the hollow of the knee no longer possible). It is highly recommended to choose a mei-tai with long enough and wide straps to be crossed outside the baby's legs and then attached at the back of the wearer: this provides better support, ensuring the baby is positioned high on the chest, and most importantly, that the load is supported by the straps and not the belt. When passing the straps between the wearer and the child, as suggested in some instructions, the load shifts onto the belt, which exerts quite strong compression on the wearer's abdomen (very discouraged for the integrity of the young mother’s perineum since it increases the risk of organ prolapse!), and the baby will inevitably slide lower on the chest. which makes carrying less stable and less comfortable. Straps that are too narrow, even if long, cannot be crossed outside the baby's leg risk hindering proper blood circulation. The question of whether to pad the strap is much more subjective and totally depends on the wearer's preferences. Nevertheless, in ventral carrying, one often prefers panels that unfold over the shoulder and back, whereas in dorsal carrying, padding is often more comfortable because the strap can unfold less and "pinch" the trapezius a bit. The advantages of the Mei-tai The mei-tai is the perfect compromise between a carrying scarf and a preformed baby carrier. It is a system that has managed to combine some of the advantages of both systems to give a simple, lightweight, and comfortable result to wear. This baby carrier presents very few difficulties in installation: no fold upon fold nor adjustments on the baby (other than those of the panel but which are done beforehand), very little risk of mishandling or error. It is more enveloping than the preformed baby carrier and allows for better close contact, making it consequently more comfortable. It remains less enclosing than a scarf and is perfect for parents who do not like to feel too tight. Regarding the baby, it is an interesting solution to address some installation difficulties, notably: Babies suffering from gastroesophageal reflux, who often struggle with overly enveloping carriers and can be very stiff when they are in pain. Since it passes between the child's legs, the mei-tai allows for a safe installation with a stiff as a board baby and who screams, not very academic but at this stage, we don’t care much — the main thing is to survive! Babies a bit more "older" who haven't been used to the scarf: after 3 or 4 months, it can sometimes be more delicate to install a toddler in a scarf, as they are not used to the sensations and are often not patient enough to let their parent learn the technique. The mei-tai, being more immediate and less enclosing, is generally better tolerated. Babies who present hyperextension and/or torticollis issues, who tend to adopt very stiff and sometimes twisted postures naturally: here again, the mei-tai is often more accessible for parents and better accepted by the child. Note that both its breathable cotton twill composition and the fact that it is open on the sides make it one of the most comfortable carrying systems to use in hot weather. The weaknesses of the Mei-tai The main weakness of the mei-tai is that it can be less adjustable than other carriers, especially for very small or very large babies, and may require additional accessories or adjustments for optimal fit. It remains its less versatile and evolutive nature compared to a baby carrier wrap. This is mainly due to its panel, which, even adjustable, cannot optimize coverage for a child's large age gap: it will be ideal for a newborn but a bit short from 2 years old, or it can be used up to 3 or 4 years old but only from 3 or 4 months old. Another small downside is that its easier installation is less precise adjustments than those of the wrap. If the use of the wrap is very well mastered, one might feel a slightly less comfortable in comparison. The corollary is that it is better to have a well-mastered mei-tai than a poorly adjusted wrap. Finally, like the wrap, you find straps dragging on the ground during setup, which makes outdoor installation in the rain more complicated than with a preformed carrier! Nothing too disabling! The Asian-inspired baby carrier, less known than its counterparts the wrap or the preformed, thus quite rightly deserves its place within the family of ergonomic carriers and would benefit from greater recognition! It’s an excellent choice for parents who are intimidated by using a wrap but still want more closeness than with a preformed carrier.

Carrying a growing child

Though it seems both distant and close, that time when your little heart measured 50cm and fell asleep cuddled against you in the sling in just seconds... Now babychou has grown, and the setups look more like a wrestling match than a gentle moment of relaxation. Won't it end up being too heavy? Is carrying still possible (and desirable) with a larger child? The needs of the toddler When discussing carrying a growing child, the common argument heard is that anyway, from 1 or 2 years old, they will walk, implying that it will no longer be necessary to carry them. On paper, this is true; in reality, a little one will not have the same endurance as an adult and unless they are a very good walker, they will inevitably end their journey in the arms or on the shoulders of their caregiver. You have understood it, even full of good will, your favorite can quickly become tired and need a break. They may also have been scared of something (a barking dog, a honking car...) and thus need a big cuddle to reassure themselves. The planned trip could be longer than expected, or after a somewhat exhausting day at daycare. Whether you like it or not, your toddler will end up on you if they are no longer able to walk! Planning a baby carrier allows you to meet their need for rest and/or contact, without ruining your back and neck in the process. Look up to what ages strollers are typically used for difficult trips, extrapolate for the baby carrier. The physical limits of the carrier The question of the child's weight is also a recurring topic when discussing the continuity of carrying over several years. Three important notions should be highlighted: The first is that you do not suddenly wake up one morning thinking, “Well, if I carry my 3-year-old, 15kg child whom I have never carried before...” At least, this is strongly discouraged! Carrying is part of a continuity since birth. We handle a newborn of 3kg, then 4, 5... Our body gradually and gently adapts to the increasing load, we strengthen our muscles, and we gradually adjust our postures as well. Then, outside of pathology or disability, a larger child fortunately does not have the same needs as a newborn! If the toddler can stay with their parents for several hours a day, the 2-year-old will alternate walking and carrying and we will have them on us only in small chunks of 10-15 minutes. Finally, from a purely physical point of view, it is considered that the child's weight begins to impact the health of its carrier from 30% of their weight. Understand that if you weigh 70kg, your toddler will start to feel quite heavy from about 21kg (which is roughly around 6 years old... That leaves some margin!). These are obviously trends, which should be adapted to your form (someone sporty will support a heavier load) and the duration of carrying (the impact is not the same for 5 minutes or 2 hours). Generally speaking, we will favor installations on the back, which put less strain on the carrier's body. Choosing your equipment Parents of a child in the terrible twos know it: they live dangerously! Their child is in the midst of an emotional hurricane and transitions seamlessly from total cooperation in good humor to a remake of The Exorcist, all over a dark story about an open cookie bag when he wanted to do it himself like a big kid (even if 10 seconds before he asked for help to do it, that doesn’t count). Your child is walking well and you think, "We no longer need a carrying system"? That’s ignoring the duality of said carrier. Scenario, starting a walk: "I want to walk! I want to walk!!!" You wanted to go left? Too bad, here he is going right. After 100 meters, he clings to your leg whining, you have to carry him. 100 meters later, he saw a butterfly, he wants to walk. Another 100 meters, he’s back on the verge of despair, he needs to be carried. Another 100 meters, "Oh!!! a dead leaf!!! I want to walk!!!" etc As you can see, the babywearing sling is definitely not the recommended system in this kind of situation (lest you have to fight a furious urge to make him swallow it after 300 meters... without salt...). Too tedious to install/uninstall every 3 minutes! A preformed baby carrier clipped to the waist, a sling, or even a support for carrying on the arms like Hop-la allow you to climb or descend your little sprite without a headache. The type of material will also depend on the length of the walk; if it’s a bit long, it’s better to favor the comfort of the preformed, if it’s for a shorter trip, a sling or Hop-la might suffice! Another argument in favor of these systems: they all allow quick setup, which is not negligible when you have to deal with a grenade ready to explode (meaning: a child not at all cooperative who won’t give you time to make your little adjustments calmly). They are also all compact, and better tolerated by little ones discovering their motor skills and who love to move freely without feeling restricted. Everyday constraints You cannot discuss carrying a growing child without also mentioning the daily life of the family, and the constraints associated with it. Having a walking child also means accepting going at their pace. Is your usual home-nanny commute taking 5 minutes? It will probably take 30. If you're lucky. Sorry, preparing the meal cannot compete with the beautiful pebble that little Choupinou just found and absolutely wants to take the time to admire. In an ideal world, we could take the time to admire all the pebbles on the path, but in real life, you will sometimes have to speed up a bit and carry your child to arrive at your destination within a reasonable timeframe. Depending on the environment, it may sometimes be difficult to let your child walk because they will not be safe. Either because the area is full of too many tempting dangers, or because your little one is tired and switches to headless chicken mode, running around without thinking or paying attention to their surroundings. Putting them on you is then a good way to keep them safe. This is often useful, for example, for city trips when crossing multiple busy roads. It goes without saying that it is unlikely they will agree with your way of seeing things in these moments (fatigue doesn’t help with cooperation), so we come back to the previous point: choose a system where you can zip them up while they scream and fight. It should also be noted that it is safer in these conditions to use a carrying system than just your arms, from which they risk falling or escaping! Finally, once at home, they might also seek your attention and cuddles while you have things to do. Picking them up for a little while then allows you to balance your needs and avoid tensions and frustrations. For example, you could place them on your back while preparing dinner, thus providing the necessary emotional support to decompress from their day, and a view of what you are doing to satisfy their natural curiosity and involve them in your daily life. You understand, it’s not because a child is growing up that carrying them is no longer useful. Just like the advice given for a toddler, as long as you carry them, it’s better to use a carrying system and protect your body as much as possible! The baby carrier remains a weighty ally in daily life and preserves family peace.

Carrying baby facing the world

The question of carrying your baby facing the outside comes up very regularly as your baby grows and becomes more interested in what's around him. Logically, when he starts to unscrew his neck to observe everything, we can be tempted to turn your baby outwards to satisfy his curiosity. We are then often asked at what age this is possible, or if our baby carriers allow it. In reality, this is a practice that is rather discouraged and in fact our baby carriers do not allow it. We explain why! 1 – respect for physiology When we discuss the physiology of the toddler, the generic benchmarks given are to check that his base (= his pelvis) is well supported with a wide material base which extends to the hollows of the knees , that the knees come up a little higher than the axis of the hips , and that the natural roundness of his back is preserved. When you turn your baby outwards, there are several concerns: It is difficult to maintain the "sitting" posture and in particular to keep the knees raised. The material gathers between the legs and we find ourselves carrying in suspension with the legs hanging down. While the baby carrier may be able to maintain the correct leg posture, the padding used for stabilization quickly ends up sagging and/or being too short and no longer fulfilling its role. The baby's back is pushed by the contours of the wearer's torso (breasts, pectorals, etc.) against which it is resting, preventing natural rounding in favor of an arch . It's a shame to use a carrying system that claims to be respectful of the physiology of the little one only to end up with a posture that isn't! 2 – stimulations Faced with the world, babies find themselves overwhelmed by an incredible quantity of stimuli , which their developing brain will have difficulty processing. First of all, EVERYTHING is new and unknown to him. Lights, sounds, colors, passers-by, trees, cars, buildings, etc. Being naturally curious , he will try to observe everything in detail, which you will agree is exhausting ! It is also transported at the speed of its carrier, which being much larger than it will also go much faster , and will therefore attempt to carry out its observation work but at an accelerated pace . Certain things are likely to frighten him , like the dog barking as you pass, or the granny rushing towards him to go "gouzi-gouzi" by touching him... In this case he will be "stuck" in front of what frightens him , without being able to avoid it, nor curl up against you, nor seek the support of your gaze. It's a bit like landing on another planet and instead of giving you time to take everything in smoothly, you're being offered a fast-track tour! Even if you're very, very curious and really, really want to see everything really quickly, the experience wouldn't be the most pleasant or ultimately very enriching. An overstimulated child may become nervous, tense, cry more, and have increased difficulty falling asleep . NB: the same problem arises in a stroller and it is not recommended to put the child facing forward until he is able to move on his own. 3 – security If the two previous points were more suggestive and subject to your personal sensitivity, this last one is on the other hand much more notable because it concerns the basic security of your carrying. Facing the world, your child is no longer one with you, his weight is felt much more, he pulls you forward , his movements can unbalance you, and he obstructs your field of vision. This drastically increases the risk of falling forward , and that you find yourself crashing face down on the ground with your baby (himself face down). We won't draw you a picture: the consequences could be serious! Obviously, even when carried in front of you, it is possible to fall, however the risk of this occurring is much lower because the child is less in your way and throws you off balance, and above all you will more easily succeed in protecting your little one a little or tipping to the side, and the parts that will absorb the shock will be less fragile (back of the skull and back versus face, rib cage and abdomen). It is the same principle that applies when in judo we learn not to fall forward. “Yes, but my baby is crying out!” Children are naturally very curious , so it's only natural that they want to see as many things as possible! Put yourself in their shoes, lying on your stomach, and in the end they can only see the underside of your neck or your shoulders (the bust line is convex and "closes" the visual field), nothing exciting, you'll agree... First of all, let's remember that safety takes precedence over everything else, and that when your child asks for something, sometimes you unfortunately have to say no because you know it won't be good for him . For example, he would certainly be delighted to taste chocolate at 2 months, but you won't give him any. Later, he will certainly also want to cross the road alone, and again you will stop him, even if he cries. In this case, it's not about completely restricting your little one, but rather about adapting the carrying to reconcile their desires with the comfort and safety of everyone. We can suggest several adjustments depending on the context: Carrying on the back: this carrying is possible very early (from birth with a sling), and allows the baby to be carried in the direction of travel, and to see over the shoulder of the carrier or to the sides (the posture of the back offers a convex curvature which opens the field of vision). When there are too many stimuli, he can take refuge against his carrier. Side carry : Off-center carrying allows the baby to better see their surroundings while maintaining eye contact with the wearer. A sling is very practical in this configuration. And by arm? The above points are especially relevant when carrying with a tool. The analysis is slightly different when carrying with a hand: We generally carry by arm indoors , in an environment that is less stimulating than the outdoors and that the child is familiar with. Carrying is intended to last a short time (these little creatures quickly get heavy!) which also reduces fatigue and agitation. The carrier constantly interacts with their baby: either through their gaze and speech, or through their gestures, as they continuously change the position and way of carrying depending on their child's movements. In the event of a fall, it is easier to protect your baby. Carrying the child facing the world in the arms is in fact much less problematic than in a baby carrier. We can recommend positions more on the side to encourage exchanges, and with a child supported in a sitting position by the outside of the knee and not with the hand between the legs (promotes extended positions and wrist pain). Special cases : The advice given above applies to the general case, but there are several situations where it will be necessary to qualify it! Non-exhaustively, we can mention: The carrier's disability : a parent in a wheelchair, for example, might have difficulty placing their child facing them A child with a device (club feet for example): some devices can injure the wearer and/or the baby and require installations facing the world Babies with reflux : Some children with gastroesophageal reflux completely refuse to be positioned facing the carrier, and it may be helpful to find adjustments to face the world. So, apart from special cases, as you will have understood, carrying the baby facing the world using a carrying system is not recommended. The fact that it is offered by several brands and baby carriers unfortunately does not guarantee that it is wise and suitable. Is your baby moaning in front of you? Don't hesitate to get help from a babywearing instructor to adjust your setup and find solutions that work for you!