Sprout Swap time is approaching quickly! This is your T-minus 8 Days Warning! You have 8 more days to register and drop off your items to sell in the February Sprout Swap!

New to the swap? You can read all about it on our Sprout Swap information page.

Remember there are a few new rules and differences for the swap this time around. Most of these refer to Cloth Diapers. Please take note:

• Pocket diapers should be sold with their insert stuffed inside. We recommend that you add extra inserts to pockets if you have them instead of selling inserts separately.
• We will not accept for sale any item priced under $2. You may donate items less than this amount to our discount/free bin.
• We will not accept heavily stained or extremely worn-out items for sale. These may also be donated to the discount/free bin.
• We will not accept the following brands for sale: Kushies, Bumkins. These may be donated to the discount/free bin.
• We do not accept clothing, baby gear, toys, or bedding.

We are so thrilled with how popular the Sprout Swap has become. Thank you for respecting our terms and helping us make this another successful swap!

One final NEW feature for the February 2011 Swap. DISCOUNTS will start at 1pm on Saturday instead of waiting until Sunday! For those of you who have attended the Swap in the past, you know that we are very busy on Friday and the crowd swoops in and gathers up the great items quickly. To reward those of you who come out on Saturday, we’ll honor the discounted price starting at 1pm!

• Here’s another rundown of the dates you need to know:
• Registration for Selling Items: Now through February 11, 2011
• Last Day to Drop Off Items for Sale: February 11, 2011
• Shopping Days: Friday, February 18 starting at 10am through Sunday, February 20 at closing. (Regular Store Hours are observed all weekend.)
• Discounts: Beginning Saturday at 1pm and lasting through the end of the swap
  (Remember the $1 Bin turns into the FREE BIN!
• Final Tallies Available and Unsold Item Pickup: Beginning Friday, March 4, 2011
• Last Day to Pick Up Credits and Unsold Items: Sunday, March 20, 2011

A hearty thanks and kudos to Peggy O’Mara of Mothering Magazine for her contribution to LA Times’ Pregnancy Wellness insert!

We love to see babywearing and baby carriers getting more press and more public attention. It only reinforces what we already know is true, babywearing is normal and has great benefits for both parents and baby.

We love this part:

A baby carrier can be as simple as a long piece of cloth or as sophisticated as a Gucci or Louis Vuitton.

Wearing your baby doesn’t have to be complicated and it can be totally chic!

And this portion of the LA Times insert was sponsored by one of our favorites, Beco Baby Carrier! Here’s their ad, sporting the gorgeous Lauren Beco Butterfly II.

Our Carrier Rental Program is an excellent way to try out a few carriers to see which one will work best for you! Each carrier is $10 for a two-week rental (a few lower-priced carriers like the Moby Wrap and Hotslings are only $5 for two weeks). We suggest you try at least two and up to four carriers, so you can try them side-by-side and determine which you like best.

Here’s how to register and participate in the program:

• Rental carriers are shipped twice a month, on or around the 1^st of each month and on or around the 15^th of each month.
• The carriers that will be available for the next rental shipping period will be listed a week before shipping. So carriers for shipping on the 1^st of the month will be listed on the 23^rd or 24^th of the previous month and carriers for shipping on the 15^th will be listed around the 8^th.
• When the carriers become available, you may add them to your shopping cart and check out through the website. Local customers must use the website as well to register for the carriers, but you may choose the ‘Pick Up in Store’ option so that you do not have to pay shipping. You must pay the carrier rental fee when you reserve the carriers! If the rental fee is not paid (ie you choose to pay by check or cash at pickup) the carriers will not be reserved for you and they will be restocked on the website to allow someone else to reserve those carriers.
• Rental periods start two to three days after shipping, so you will have a full two weeks to test the carriers. If your carriers arrive after the rental start date shown on your rental form, please contact us and we will add to your rental period based on the delivery date of your tracking numbers.
• Rentals will be sent back via UPS, drop off your pre-paid package off at a UPS location on or before the rental period ending date on your rental form. Local customers must return the rentals to the store on or before the the end date on your rental form.
• Rentals that are returned late will be charged $2 per carrier per day late fee. Late fees are not refundable.
• Carrier rental fees are refundable for store credit toward the carrier of your choice. This store credit is good toward carriers only!

Let’s look at an example. On October 9^th you decide to rent these carriers:
Beco Butterfly 2 – $10
Beco Gemini – $10
Olives and Applesauce – $10

Your total rental fee is $30. Shipping to you will vary between $6 and $12 depending on your location. Your order will ship to you October 15^th and your rental period will begin October 18^th. You must mail or return the carriers no later than November 1^st. Once the carriers are returned, you will have $30 in store credit to use toward the carrier of your choice!

It’s as easy as that! Still have questions? Check out our Carrier Rental FAQs.

Start sifting through your diapers and slings–the Sprout Swap is on its way. Find a new home for your gently used baby gear. Accepting items from July 27th until August 13th. Please register your items on-line before bringing them in. Registration can be found at www.sproutsoup.com.
After the swap, which is from August 20 through the 22nd, you can pick up 100% store credit, or 80% cash for all items sold.
The Sprout Swap is also an excellent place to get an excellent deal on diapers and carriers!

Have a toddler and a baby? Take your kids out to the playground and let them monkey around with this Monkey Inspired Olives and Applesauce baby carrier!

The Olives and Applesauce is an excellent choice if you have both an infant and a toddler that you need to carry. With the integrated infant insert you can start using this SSC right away, or if you have an older child, skip the insert and pop them straight in the carrier.

Sprout Soup carries the 16″ Olives and Applesauce Soft Structured Carrier. Many of our customers ask about the 18″ carrier, or wonder if they should choose a 16″ or 18″ carrier. The 16″ carrier is the most versatile, allowing you to carry both newborns and infants, toddlers and preschoolers. I have used the 16″ carrier with my four-year-old and it has ample room for him, arms in or out. The 16″ is certainly a fine choice for even older children. Some will choose the 18″ for a child that still falls asleep in the carrier and needs head support without the hood. With the hood a 16″ carrier can support a child up to 42″ tall.

All Olives and Applesauce carriers come standard with the infant insert and the optional chest strap!

We are constantly getting asked when the Beco Gemini will be released. Beco is doing something right with this release because everyone is so excited!

Unfortunately we are not allowed to post any information on exactly when the Beco Gemini will be released, all I can say right now is it will be SOON!

If you’re aching for some more information about the Gemini, all we can show you is what has already been released by Beco. The advertisement below appeared in Pregnancy and Newborn Magazine, and there it is! The long-awaited Beco Gemini in the Paige print! (The Paige Beco Butterfly 2 is one of our most popular, I’m sure the Paige Gemini will follow suit!)

I know the text on the advertisement is small, so here’s what it says:

Innovative 4 – carry positions baby carrier, which will take you from newborn to toddler in one stylish and comfortable bundle. Made with organic cotton.

From the makers of Award winning product Beco Butterfly 2.

So what is the Beco Gemini going to be like? Well I think it best compares to the Baby Bjorn. I know, I know, the Bjorn tends to be a pariah in the baby carrier world, and it does tend to be an uncomfortable carrier when baby reaches 15 pounds. I’m sure the Beco Gemini will be much more comfortable, and it also has some nice features the Bjorn doesn’t. But lets start with how they are similar.

Like the Baby Bjorn, the Gemini has a padded top that can be flipped up or down depending on the baby’s age or position. If you look in the picture above you can see the two fasteners on the sides of this top, currently in the down position. The base of the Gemini is adjustable to make it narrow or wide. When in its narrow position, the base is like the Bjorn and will accommodate a small newborn or an older infant in the facing-out position. This is where the similarities end, however.

What makes the Gemini more comfortable is the waist belt. Waist belts help transfer the child’s weight to the wearer’s hips. This is helpful, especially when infants turn into toddlers and become heavy! The strain on your back is reduced and you will find it much more comfortable to carry your child.

The Gemini also includes positions that the Bjorn does not. The Gemini can do a back carry when your baby is old enough, and even a hip carry! These options make the carrier much more flexible so you can use it as your child goes through different stages.

To configure into multiple positions, the Gemini shoulder straps can be disconnected. See the buckle at the side in the photo above? When undone the shoulder straps can be configured to cross, perhaps behind you in a front carry for better weight distribution, or when you’re wearing your child on your back you may prefer the straps to be straight in backpack style.

The Gemini sounds great, doesn’t it? And know all you’re asking is when will it be released so I can get one? I really wish I could tell you! It’s so hard to wait. But one smart customer had the great idea to rent a Beco Butterfly 2 from Sprout Soup (3 weeks rental is $25 including shipping both ways), and because the rental fees can be turned into store credit, she’ll be getting a Beco Gemini when they are released! So there’s a way to bridge the gap and make sure you’ve got a carrier to use for now and you’ll be among the first to know when you can trade it in for a Gemini!

The most adorable Beco Butterfly 2 ever has got to be Alice. With the whimsical owls and butterflies, bold colors and retro European feel, Alice was an instant smash hit when we introduced it last spring.

Our first run sold out quickly and it was 8 long months before we were able to find more fabric and bring our beloved Alice Beco back. But finally she is here! Supplies are extremely limited. This fabric is so hard to find we unfortunately don’t have enough to make any more (but if you happen to see any yardage available, please make sure to let us know! We’ll scoop it up and send it off ASAP!).

Get your brand new Alice Beco Butterfly 2 over at SproutSoup.com while supplies last.

We’re also pleased to bring back the Dylan Beco! Dylan was always a favorite with dads (and moms too ). I’ve heard of dads who’ve added bling to Dylan with a Johnny Cash or Rolling Stones patch. Still waiting to see pictures of those, so send ‘em over dads!

Dylan is created with Michael Miller’s Groovy Guitars. The colors just pop right off the espresso brown. Bold and fun! This one is a top summer pick!

The Dylan Beco Butterfly 2 is available at SproutSoup.com for a limited time!

Just like cribs, strollers and bouncy chairs, baby slings have been subject to scrutiny from safety organizations like JPMA (Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association) and CPSC (Consumer Products Safety Commission). Everything we use to help care for our children has the potential to harm them, just as every time you get in a car you have the potential of an accident. But when you get in a car, you buckle your seat belt, you obey traffic laws, you drive at safe speeds. It should be the same when using your baby sling.

The most recent baby sling warning from the CPSC was released Friday, March 12, 2010 and brought to light an important subject. If you are a client of Sprout Soup, you may have heard us talk about sling safety, especially if you come in to try our carriers while you are pregnant or if you bring your new baby in. Our number one rule for new babies is no cradle carry. We want to see your new baby upright and against your chest in a tummy to tummy position. Babies love to be near your face where you can lean down and kiss their head; on your chest where they can hear the beating of your heart. This position is possible in many different carriers, like the Moby Wrap, Beco Butterfly and even ring slings like the Maya Wrap. This is the safest position for your new baby.

So what makes a sling un-safe? Some carriers are unsafe due to design. The Infantino SlingRider is one of these carriers. The Infantino is also sometimes called a “bag sling” because it functions like a shoulder bag that baby is placed inside. These carriers are usually worn low on the body, with the baby resting somewhere around the wearer’s waistline. Baby can easily slide down into the sling, becoming cramped or rolled into a ball with their chin pressed to their chest. This is a safety concern for small babies who do not have strong neck muscles and whose airway can easily be compressed when in this position.

How do you know if your baby’s position is safe in the sling? First, make sure you can see your baby. Don’t allow your baby to sink down into a sling where they are covered by fabric or where they will be resting around your waist. Keep your baby high and on your chest. Second, look at your baby’s chin. Watch out for “chin-to-chest.” What this means is the baby’s chin is pressed into his chest, which restricts the airway. You should be able to see your baby’s neck (perhaps underneath the rolls of luscious baby fat!), or baby’s head will be tilted up, away from their chest. You can even verify safe positioning by seeing if you can place a finger between baby’s chin and chest. Finally, upright positioning is the safest, but a safe cradle carry can be achieved by keeping the baby high and at a 45 degree angle with the ground, instead of horizontal in the sling with their back parallel to the ground.

So is there a reason to panic about baby slings? Certain slings, yes. We believe there are some slings, like the Infantino SlingRider, which should not be on the market. Two infant deaths occurred last year in Infantino SlingRider carriers. The company refuses to admit that their sling is unsafe. Other slings which have bulky padding and don’t allow the wearer to adjust the position so baby can either be held upright or at least high and at a 45 degree angle can also be unsafe.

Unpadded slings, and our favorite infant carrier, stretchy wraps, allow baby to be worn tummy to tummy, the safest position possible. These slings are also adjustable to fit a variety of people and still hold the baby high and upright. Slings are only unsafe when used improperly. Please use the information on this page to consider your baby sling and make sure it is safe and you are using it properly.

In honor of International Babywearing Week we are re-publishing an article we wrote a few years ago on the benefits of wearing your baby. International Babywearing Week is intended to bring babywearing to the attention of the media and parents everywhere. It’s a practice that we wholeheartedly believe in, and hope to encourage as many parents as possible to start babywearing from birth! Read on to learn just some of the benefits you and your baby will experience.

Why should you carry your baby? It’s no secret that babies like to be held. After nine months in a warm cozy womb, babies long for the close contact, warmth and gentle movements that they have become accustomed to. Some new parents are unprepared for just how much they will need to hold their babies. Others wonder if holding them too much is spoiling or setting them up for problems later. However, studies indicate that babies know what they need and holding your baby close as much as he wants is a good thing for both of you.

Columbia University conducted a study in 1990, which showed that mother and infant pairs who utilized soft baby carriers created a more securely attached relationship. Infant attachment plays an important role in healthy child development and has long-term effects on how the child will relate to others throughout their lives. Other studies show that babies who are carried are more organized, they learn from the world around them at an adult’s level, and they tend to cry less.

Baby-wearing makes brains smarter. So, not only is your child happier, but you can make them smarter as well. The first year of life is a crucial one for brain development. In a single year, the baby’s brain will double in volume. All these new nerve cells (neurons) grow fast and are largely unconnected. By holding your baby and letting him see your face and the world around you, you are helping the baby’s neurons connect. And more connections make a smarter brain. Even if you are doing other things while carrying your baby, he is gaining valuable experience about the way things work; all while feeling safe, secure and loved.

Baby-wearing makes babies happier. By carrying your baby you also drastically reduce the amount of time a baby spends crying (although even carried babies DO cry). The reason for this is that the constant movement helps to regulate the baby’s world. Babies are used to motion from being in the womb. Carrying your baby helps to recreate this environment to help you baby better make the transition from womb to world. While in a sling or carrier, a baby spends more time in the quiet alertness state—the state in which infants observe the world around them and build the important neural connections. Babies that are not held spend more time unsettled, startling and flailing about, and in general are less able to make these connections. Babies that are held and carried a lot are more responsive to visual and auditory stimuli, and they learn to make choices about what to pay attention to and what to ignore. The ability to chose what to focus on is a valuable tool for learning.

What kind of baby carrier? With so many benefits, it is a good idea to plan to hold and carry your baby as much as possible. There are many great baby carriers available today that make this easier, and also help keep your hands free so you can tend to other children or tasks.

When choosing a carrier for your baby, look for one that will hold him in the same positions you use when holding him in your arms. For many babies this is an upright or semi-upright position with their tummy against your chest. Another favorite infant carry is a cradle hold, with baby’s body semi-reclined across your arm. Both of these positions are possible in ring slings and stretchy wraps. But these are only two of the many option available. We at Sprout Soup are always available to help you determine which carrier will best fit your needs.

Carrying doesn’t end with infancy! Most carriers will last through toddlerhood and beyond! Toddlers especially may have times when being up in mom or dad’s arms is what they need and crave. A baby carrier can make these times easier on everyone, so no matter the age of your little one, babywearing can provide so many benefits it’s never too late to start.

March 1, 2009 – NY Times – One Ride Forward, Two Steps Back

The first line of this Op-Ed piece in the New York Times says it all:

ARE forward-facing strollers having a negative effect on babies’ language development?

Your baby’s first three years is a time of great neurological growth and the brain grows faster in those short three years than during any other time. And guess who is baby’s best teacher in those years? You!

But you don’t have to do anything special or be anyone superhuman. Babies learn by watching. And as studies in Great Britain have found, babies who are pushed in forward-facing strollers have less chance to interact with their parents. These interactions are critical!

When your baby (or child) is facing you, there is naturally more of an inclination to converse. It’s not very often you see two people looking at one another and not talking. And lets face it, we’re drawn to look at babies! They’re so cute and hard to keep our eyes off of!

Read the article because it raises some good questions, but lets push a little farther here.

There’s certainly nothing intrinsically wrong with stroller use. Even this article is not dissing the stroller, just calling into question the way we use the stroller. But, being that we’re Sprout Soup and happen to be proud of the fact that we have the largest selection of baby carriers in Central Ohio, we think ditching the stroller, leaving the carseat carrier in the car and saving your arms with a baby carrier is the way to go.

Aside from the benefits of bringing the baby closer to you, right where conversing is easy, a baby carrier adds one benefit to the toward-facing stroller. It brings baby up to adult level, letting her see what you see, experience life right along side you.

While lying in a stroller looking up at a doting and talkative mom might be great for language development, the rest of baby’s view is pretty boring. Ceiling tiles, rafters, overhead lights. But a baby in a carrier sees what you see. Think about it.