Mod Mum

Mod Mum would like to thank Pregnancy magazine for their wonderful article on baby wearing!  It is a practical guide to carrying your baby in any baby carrier, and doing so safely.  We love that the rule that all babies should be “visible and kissable” that they mention.  “The visible and kissable rule applies when you put your baby in a sling, carrier, car seat or stroller.  We shouldn’t just put our babies in something and forget about them.”  You can read the rest of the wonderful article on their site.

We have another giveaway from our wonderful friend Cambria at The Minimal Mom.  Cambria is a work-at-home, blogging mom of two little girls, Hadley (2) and Hayden (3 months).  We were so pleased when Cambria contacted us to write about our baby slings.  Having used her Mod Mum sling with both kids, we felt like she would be a wonderul person to talk about our baby slings. She loves wearing her babies, and loves her Mod Mum Baby Sling!

Here is a little more about the Minimal Mom!

Crazy, busy momma of a tot and a newborn. A former big city living, fine wine lovin’, using the kitchen in my fourth floor walk up for clothing storage instead of food preparation, marketing professional, turned breastfeeding, food pureeing, baby wearing, suburban living, butt wiping mom navigating her way the best she can through the baby years.

Recently moved to a Minneapolis suburb from San Francisco, by way of Vegas and Orange County. Quite the route, huh?

Lead characters in this crazy mom’s life:

Hadley, born July 8, 2008. A ball of energy, with crazy Popeye strength. While she can play tough,she is all girl. Current interests: Dora the Explorer. Princesses and castles. Her Little Tykes Cozy Coupe. And our baby proofed silverware drawer that she figured out how to open.

Hayden, born March 26, 2010. Currently a blob of digestive processes that smiles.

Being a stay at home working mom myself, I love to support other mothers out there.  Here is a snippet of what Cambria wrote about Mod Mum:

I have lots of stuff that have proven to be incredibly useful throughout motherhood. But the one thing I used the most was our baby sling. Yes, I am a baby carrier to the max. With Hadley, I carried her more than I pushed her in the stroller. I carried her until I was five months pregnant and just couldn’t handle a 27 lb kid on my hip. And now, while I need to use a stroller more often than not because I have two little ones, I carry Hayden in the sling while pushing Hadley. I could write for days on why I like to carry my babies, but here is an article to check out about the benefits of babywearing so we can get on to the fun stuff!

My sling of choice is my Mod Mum baby sling. About a year and a half a go Hadley and I were perusing a baby show in Los Angeles and I left my other sling at home in the wash and we had to use the stroller. No big deal, that’s what we have it for. As we were perusing the aisles I came across Mod Mum Slings booth and fell in love with their fabrics. Just gorgeous! And I had to purchase one, justifying my purchase of another sling is for back-up. I am glad I bought it because I use it like crazy!

Check out the blog to read more and enter for the giveaway!  Mod Mum Baby Sling Giveaway

Happy Slinging!

We are so pleased to announce another baby sling giveaway from our friends at Happy Hour Mom.  We love any opportunity to support other mom’s who love baby wearing!  The Happy Hour Mom’s are passionate about sharing ideas on their blog to connect with other mothers around the world.  They are wonderful mom’s who have been able to travel the world while raising their families.

Here is what the mom’s had to say about our slings!

From animal mamas to humans the bond between mom and child is unlike anything in the world. Animals around the world transport their young. From kangaroos carrying babies in pouches in the Australian outback to penguin babies perched on their parents’ feet in the frozen Antarctic it is important to keep a close eye on our babies. In our world, moms still need to have hands free to tend to other kids, work, chores etc. The recent trend has made child transportation so much more easy and comfortable. Mod Mum wants all Moms to experience a convenient, stylish and comfortable way to have their baby close, yet still have the ability to get things done (“stylish”because it can be a new staple in your wardrobe). Happy Hour Mom is all about multi-functional baby gear. One of the best things about Mod Mum’s baby slings are that they can be used for babies from birth to 35 lbs.  We had privilege of seeing the quality and luxurious fabrics at the Midwest Baby Fest. Now mamas everywhere can enjoy their “happy hour” hands-free. Take advantage of this awesome giveaway in conjunction with Mod Mum and their designer baby carriers.

Check out their blog for lots of ideas and a chance to win a Mod Mum Baby Sling of your choice!

Mod Mum Baby Sling Giveaway

Shopping for babies is a lot of fun. Before you go out and spend a fortune on baby items follow these important tips.

Travel systems may seem like a handy option, but the truth is they usually are not. Travel systems, or a coordinating car seat and stroller, can be relatively overpriced and over-sized. If you want a stroller that your car seat can snap in to you can normally find other stroller frames that are less expensive than a travel system.

Do price comparisons. Baby items can usually be found in multiple store locations, so you do not have to settle. Compare prices online, but also realize that there are usually shipping costs and time restraints with shopping online. A new option for some department stores is to order an item online and then have them ship it to your nearest store for pickup to save on shipping.

Measure your back seat to know what size car-seat you should get. Some car-seats have a hard time fitting in smaller cars. It is also a good idea to test out how easy it is to snap and unsnap the buckle. Some are much easier to use than others, and you don’t want to have to spend a lot of time getting the car-seat buckled and unbuckled when you have a crying baby on your hands.

Go crib shopping in person. Cribs will be made at different heights. If you are short or tall you don’t want to have a hard time getting the baby out. Find a crib you like, and then do price comparisons online.

Are you planning on using the baby item for more than one child? If you are planning on having future children keep that in consideration when purchasing your baby items. Some items, such as blankets and clothes, do not have to be well-thought-out. Other items may need to be more gender friendly, such as car-seats, high chairs, and play pens.

Don’t settle for a generic baby carrier from your local department store. There are a variety of high quality, affordable baby carriers online that will be much more comfortable and easier to use than the generic brands. Research baby carriers online and look at customer reviews to begin your search.

The biggest advice I can give is to talk to other parents and get recommendations from them. Ask your friends what is one item they could not live without. Then, ask them what one item they have that they never use. This can help you with your baby item checklists, and know which ones you need to stress over. Compile a checklist of items you need when the baby arrives, and cross them off as you get them to make sure you have everything ready in time.

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As a mother of young children you may sometimes feel like you are overwhelmed with baby gear.  If you are a new mom or you’ve recently added a new baby to an established family of older children, you probably feel especially overwhelmed with baby items. Is there any relief for families that feel overrun by gear for their kids? How can a mom simplify?

Do not despair! There is hope for relief. There are a few things you can try to help manage the loads of “mommy paraphernalia” piling up around you. Try 3 simple steps to help simplify your life: organize, prioritize, and consolidate.

First, organize.  The old adage is true that there is a place for everything and everything in its place. Part of organizing is getting everything where it should be, or creating a place for homeless items. This means you may need to create some bins or boxes devoted for baby items when they are not in use.  This will keep items from cluttering bedrooms, bathrooms and hallways on off times.

Some examples of baby gear organization could be to use wall space to clear up clutter on the floor. Try hanging your baby’s bathtub on a wall hook next to the shower.  Another idea is to use peg boards in entry ways.  This way you can hang your baby sling, for example, right by the door so it’s accessible on your way out.  These ideas of using wall space will keep your baby baths and baby slings out of the road without having to get rid of them.

Next, work on prioritizing. Prioritizing refers to looking at all your baby gear and determining what is the most important. This step will be different for every mom.  There are some items that you may feel are essential, and others that are just nice to have around every once in a while.  Once you have prioritized, then you can put highly important items in the most convenient places, and lower priority items can be tucked away.

Let’s use our baby sling example again.   You know how much use your baby sling gets.  If it’s used for your daily walk, then have it close at hand (i.e. hanging on a hat rack, or on a mud room hook). If you only use your sling for the convenience of your weekly grocery shopping trip, then you are safe to hang it in a coat closet, or the like.

Now let’s talk consolidation.  This is the step that can get difficult! Once you’ve organized and prioritized, you may want to look into consolidating your gear, or in other words ditching your unused items.

Take for instance our baby sling example above. Since a sling does the same job that an infant stroller does, consider consolidating. Infant strollers are only used for a few months anyway, and they sure take up loads of space. Consider donating big bulky items that are unnecessary.  You will do yourself a favor by clearing clutter from your life, and someone else will be thankful to receive a baby item that perhaps they always needed.

It can sometimes be hard to come up with unique, but beneficial baby shower gifts. To save you time and energy we have come up with our top picks. We surveyed moms to ask them what items they would like to receive. Below are a few of their recommendations.

Set up meals after the baby is born. This is a great gift for a new mom. Talk to a bunch of the new mom’s friends and set up times when meals can be brought. Print out the schedule and provide the details with the mom to be so she knows when the meals will be brought. She will be absolutely delighted, and relieved, to not have to cook while she is recovering after the delivery.

Provide a bath kit for the new baby. Every baby needs to be bathed, so why not have fun with this concept and fill a baby tub with shampoos and soaps the new baby can use. There are really cute hooded towels out there and bath toys that can go with washcloths and bathroom essentials.

Start a book collection for the baby. Reading is important for children of all ages, even when they are babies. Remember that board books last longer than paper books with babies.

Get her a cute baby sling or baby carrier. Baby slings allow new moms to snuggle up to the baby while keeping their arms free to do other projects around the home. Baby slings also increase the parent-child bond. What a great gift.

Baby Keepsake Book is a great gift. Memory books of the baby’s beginning years help preserve those precious memories of the baby up to around their 5th birthday. There are online sites, such as the one found here, that offer a lot of cute designs to choose from.

Get the new mom an activity gym for the baby. An activity gym allows babies to enjoy the environment around them. This can be very nice during tummy time if the gym comes with toys that hang down. Plus they are easy to move, which is nice when you want to move baby from room to room.

Lastly, get your friend a boppy pillow. A boppy or nursing pillow can be really handy when feeding a baby a bottle or nursing them. It can also save your arm when you are rocking them to calm them down as well.

Women are normally quick to give baby carriers a try, but what about men? Are there baby slings for men? The answer to this question is yes!

Men can benefit from baby wearing just as much as women can. A father who chooses to wear his baby will allow his baby to have a different vantage point than a mother would. A father will present a new opportunity to a baby, allowing baby to listen to him as he talks and feel the way he moves.

A baby sling for men allows fathers to bond with their babies. Fathers who want to be engaged in their baby’s care can really benefit from wearing their baby in a baby sling or carrier. Since fathers have unique characteristics, such as lower voices and different builds, they present a different type of experience for a baby than the baby would get with their mother.

Baby wearing for men can be beneficial for their partners as well. Mothers with high needs babies can get burnt out by the constant need to hold and be with their baby. Fathers who take the opportunity to wear their baby around their home or on walks can give their partner a much needed break while meeting the babies need to be held close to the body.

Baby slings come in a variety of materials, styles, and colors. Many slings are catered towards the mothers, but there are still going to be some baby slings for men that are available for purchase. Many slings are gender neutral, so fathers do not have to feel awkward about wearing them.

Carriers that have multiple colors and styles to choose from seem to attract fathers most. They like the option of being able to choose a wrap that fits their personal style. Slings and carriers can come in a variety of different styles, including camo print or solid colors such as black, blues, or greens.

These types of styles are going to attract men more than flowers or polka dots. When women are considering buying their baby sling it may be a good idea to think about what type of baby sling their husbands would like as well. Even if a father is not acting interested in wearing the baby right away, which does not mean he may not choose his mind.

Perhaps the best choice is to find a baby sling for the mother and a baby sling for men. Having separate slings can give moms and dads the chance to pick slings and carriers that fit their own personal tastes. That way mom can get her favorite paisley carrier and dad can get that deep red one he was eying.

Family vacations are a perfect way to get away with your family and create lasting memories. Enjoying a vacation with a new baby can be a lot of fun to look back on. However, a new baby also brings along with it new preparations that need to be met before you leave. Here are a few suggestions of things to consider when making plans for your family vacation.

Make travel arrangements in advance. When flying with a baby there are a few options available. You can fly with baby sitting on your lap for free in a few airports, or you could pay full price and have them use a seat on their own. Depending on the length of the flight, this sometimes is worth it to parents for their sanity.

If you will be doing a lot of walking remember to bring your baby carrier along with you. A baby carrier does not take up a lot of space in your bags and is much easier to carry along with you than a stroller. A baby carrier can also help your baby feel safe and secured in a new environment.

If you will be staying in a hotel ask if they rent cribs out. This can save you from having to lug along your own pack and play. If you do rent out a crib from a hotel be sure to bring your own sheets and some antibacterial wipes to give the crib a good rub down.

Bring baby-safe sun block. Even on cloudy days a baby can get a bad sunburn if you are not careful. Sunscreen can be used on infants 6 months and older. Ask your doctor for recommendations for babies younger than 6 months.

Bring toys to entertain baby on the trip. This is important if you are making a long road trip or flight. Just like you, babies can get bored. Come prepared with new toys or interactive things for them to do to pass the time.

Try to stick to a similar schedule that you have at home. The closer you stick to your schedule, the happier your baby will be. This can be difficult when on vacation, but if you normally give your baby a bath before bed try to do so while on vacation. It can help your baby a lot if you continue to do things they are familiar with.

Bring appropriate clothing choices. If it is summertime and you do not think your baby needs warmer clothing, pack one anyways “just in case”. Weather is not dependable so be prepared for all types of weather with your baby by bringing clothing that you can layer. Layering clothing allows you to add more clothing during the colder moments, and take off articles of clothing when it is warmer.

Mod Mum announces the Baby Sling of the Month!

Every month we will be offering a new baby sling for an AMAZING price.  Quantities will be limited so shop now before they are gone!  We know that moms are always looking stylish and cost effective solutions for their baby products.  With a baby sling at this price, you can’t afford to miss out.

Elle Baby Sling by Mod Mum – only $30.00

This pouch style baby sling is both whimsical and beautiful.  The beautiful chocolate brown accented with the small bird pattern will make you the envy of all your friends!  Made from super soft cotton, you will love carrying your baby in this sling.  You will love our signature super sleek leg padding to add a little bit of comfort for your baby when using the hip carry.

Remember that not all baby slings are made alike and Mod Mum is committed to providing the safest and most comfortable baby slings for moms and babies. Mod Mum Baby Slings are designed to support baby’s neck and spine, while being carried in a slightly upright position. Our sling mimics the natural positions that you would carry your baby in your arms. Your baby is snug against you with the ability to make eye contact any time.

We want you to feel confident and comfortable using your baby sling.  If you have wearing or safety questions, we are always happy to help. Please give us a call and we would love to chat!

Mod Mum Customer Service - 303-910-2200

Watch out for more deals on baby slings to come!  If you would like to receive deals on a regular basis, make sure to follow us on facebook, and subscribe to our blog updates!  Thank you!

Wintertime normally brings a lot of flu’s, bugs, and colds. This year, however, I find myself faced with worries about the H1N1 Flu, or the Swine Flu. With young babies it is important to protect your family from getting sick if you can help it.

Make sure you wash your hands. Washing hands will prevent spreading an illness if you have it. Be sure to wash your hands with soap and water, or antibacterial lotion, every time you cough or sneeze.

Try not to touch your eyes and mouth around a baby. These two places are main transmitters for germs. If you have a habit of biting your fingernails be sure to wash your hands after.

Cough or sneeze in to a tissue or elbow. If you do it in a tissue you can throw it away and get rid of the germs. Try not to cough in to your hand.

If you know someone is sick, don’t go around them. If your friends want to have a play date but their kids are sick ask to reschedule. Even a runny nose with out a fever can be harmful to a baby.

When you go out in public wear baby in a baby carrier. A baby carrier allows you to be close to your baby and you can turn your back to people who sneeze more readily than you can a stroller. You will also be less likely to have a stranger go up to see your baby if you are carrying her close to you in a baby carrier or wrap than you would a baby in a car seat or stroller.

Clean your toys. Take out your toys and keep them clean. Sanitize them right after an ill child plays with them especially. You don’t want to spread the old germs, and you also do not want to spread the new ones.

If your child comes home from school or church sick do your best to keep them away from your baby. You can wear your baby in a baby carrier around the home to avoid them playing with the same items. Try to keep them away from each other at least one full day after the sick child’s fever breaks or flu-like symptoms end.