Heads up: I was given a Breeze Baby sling for review purposes.
Update: Congratulations to Emily for winning!
Pepper was a September baby, and I have been carrying her all summer. Before she was born I decided to forgo a double pram and use a variety of carriers to suit our needs on different days. Far and away the one I’ve used the most is the Ergo, but the newborn insert left us both quite overheated if we were out and about without airconditioning.
I first found out about the Breeze Baby sling when I saw Babes in Arms post a picture on Instagram of a woman standing in water with a beautiful, light mesh sling containing a very cute baby. I thought it was a brilliant idea – a breatheable sling for summer that can also serve as a way of carrying baby in a pool or the ocean. As I live in sunny Queensland, and have a wriggly baby who loves water (plus a toddler who insists on going swimming every time she sees any kind of liquid and who needs both my hands free), I immediately put it on my shopping list. Fortunately for me (and one of you!) I was sent one to try after our Instagram chat, and was offered one for a giveaway.
It is just the silkiest material, and very light yet strong. I didn’t find it too difficult to work out how to put Pepper in it, but she’s at that age where she should be carried in the kangaroo position (3-6 months, good head and neck control but not sitting up by themselves yet) and I find it a bit awkward. I am SO looking forward when she can be carried in the hip position and the sling will keep her snugly there and my hands will be free. For now though, it has revolutionised our pool visits and beach walks – not to mention trips to the shops during the day. She absolutely loves facing forward and will struggle in chest-facing carriers to turn around despite my best efforts to keep her a snuggly newborn forever!
She’s such a curious little thing, very much interested in the world around her. This day she was very happy to sit bundled up and watch the children splashing in the water and enjoying themselves. Neither of us felt too hot and I’m sure Pepper benefited from the quick-drying mesh material letting the cool breeze through. I do think if I was to use a carrier every day I would need a little bit more back support, given my poor core muscles have disappeared with two babies so close together, but for summer trips out and about I haven’t found the sling to be too much of an issue. It is recommended that parents graduate from a sling like this to the Ergobaby carriers (or use them in conjunction with, like I do) as it offers symmetrical weight distribution for older, heavier babies. I just have heavy babies anyway and am much of a weakling when carrying them!
Pepper just loves it. As you can see, she won’t even sit sideways – she wants to watch the action and she’ll twist and turn until she gets there. The Breeze Baby makes it very easy for her to do that. These are usable from birth, and there are a variety of ways you can carry your child throughout their sling days (this one will hold up to 15kg). There are also instructional videos showing how to perform each carry.
There are well-documented benefits of babywearing, both for the baby and the mother. It has been invaluable to me to get two kids under two under control! It is easier for me personally to have one in a pram or walking and the other carried than it would be for me to wrestle with a double-pram, and I genuinely enjoy having the little one in close kissing range! I do know some people would prefer not to carry, but I have found it works for us. And it keeps my hands free for running after her older sister!
If you’re sweating through a babywearing summer (or have one on the way for the next heatwave), I’d love for you to enter the Breeze Baby giveaway. To be honest, it is usable in any weather, but especially beneficial when it is warmer. it also is certified non-toxic and machine-washable, and has been safety and load-tested in the US to comply with international standards.
If this sounds like something you’d like, then do leave a comment telling me of a babywearing experience. Whether you have or haven’t, why you have or haven’t, or if there is a funny story to tell. Hopefully not one like mine where Pepper hurled so much in one while I was in KMart I had to get my mum to go buy me a new outfit! If you love it, why do you love it? Or perhaps you’ve never tried it but want to? Let me know! You can also enter to win for someone you know who would benefit from the sling. A great baby shower gift!
Can I also strongly suggest you follow their Facebook page – they have been very generous in their giveaway and I’d like for us to show our support for them. Not only that, but they post other competitions, giveaways, information and have a wondefully inclusive community of like-minded mums and dads.
The contest will end next Wednesday February 20 at midnight Queensland time. It is a game of skill. And do please ensure you are contactable in your entry! There will be one winner who will be able to choose what colour Breeze Baby they would like, valued at $79.
Good luck!
