If it weren't for the men in our lives, we wouldn't have a need for these cool HugaMonkey slings! How grateful I am for the men in my life that have taught me, loved me and cared for me and my children. The men sacrifice a lot for us moms and kids and I know they deserve this day of praise. So here's a shout out to dad's that play Legos, complete Honey-Do lists, go to work, eat chocolate, coach sports teams, teach to ride a bike, change diapers, watch on the playground, go on adventures, play dress-ups, and wake up in the middle of the night.
What has the men in your life done that are you grateful for?
We are excited to be so close to 500 fans on Facebook. In celebration we asked for our followers to write a quick review of their HugaMonkey sling. This is what they said:
Erika SilvaI've used other slings in the past, but nothing compares to you! My daughter is one happy monkey in hers and it let's me be able to do things for my other kids. Seriously my house would be a disaster w/o hugamonkey. You can also get a good workout by putting your baby in your sling and vacuuming! :)
Tasha EagarI was just scrapbooking the other night and was looking at pictures of a vacation where I used my Hugamonkey for everything we did; walking to the park, going on a hike, swimming, playing tag, you name it, my baby was in it. It made it possible for me to join in all the fun and my monkey too!
Beth Gonzales O'NeillI love my hugamonkey! I get more done around the house. But the fun part is going out in public where people get a kick out of seeing my lil monkey siting in her pouch (like a kangaroo). We LOVE Hugamonkey!
This picture is from the Nosara Wildlife Rescue program in Costa Rica. When they were looking for a way to rehabilitate howler monkeys, they knew they needed to look no further than HugaMonkey! We are thrilled to help them in their efforts in conserving wildlife. Does it get any better than a real monkey in a HugaMonkey?
We would love to see any pictures of you and your monkeys! Share them on our Facebook Fan Page here. Hope you are having a wonderful holiday season.
Are you interested in our baby slings but new to the idea of baby wearing? We were all once just like you and would love to help in any way we can.
We offer a short subscription service that includes 7 tips and tricks for baby slings, one tips emailed everyday for one week. You can subscribe on our homepage, left column. You can also visit us on YouTube here to see video demonstrations as to how you can wear the slings. Comment below or email with any questions! Thanks!
This past week we asked our Facebook fans and Twitter followers if they had any suggestions for Cody, who wanted to use the baby sling in cold weather. Check out the responses by clicking here or check out the picture on the left.
We got great ideas! So thanks, everyone, for the input. I was wondering, what other advice have you received that was really helpful? I imagine this will be like that bridal shower game where you put advice about marriage in a fancy jar for the bride-to-be to take home, but probably with less-racy ideas!
I think the best advice I got was from the instructor in my prenatal class before my first child. She said every mom needs a swing. When you have tried everything you can think to help when the baby is upset, put the baby in the swing and walk away for 5 minutes. Then come back and try again. I only had to do this a handful of times, but it really made a difference in my confidence level and my ability to try new things. I would think of something new or my baby would calm down. So what "best advice" do you have? Please share. We all want to know!
Make like a kangaroo and carry your baby… pouch style? Yep, that’s right. Just like mama kangaroo, you can carry your little joey in a warm and comfy pouch, too. Really, the only thing you’ve got on mama kangaroo is that you can take your pouch off once your little joey starts hopping around by himself.
The idea of a baby carrier pouch style may seem a little strange at first. Is that kind of like putting your baby in a large pocket? Well, no, not really. This baby carrier fits comfortably over one shoulder and features a fabric pouch where baby cradles against mommy or daddy.
Depending on the brand and design, a baby carrier pouch style may have buckles or straps with which to adjust the sling to fit different shapes and sizes of moms, dads, older siblings, nannies, etc., or is made from one solid piece of fabric that is even easier to use.
The carrier can be worn on either shoulder, can adapt to the baby growth, and rests in different positions. Newborn babies rest in a cradled position, back-to-tummy, or tummy-to-tummy with mom where they can get the back and neck support they still need. As baby gets older and stronger, mommy can reposition baby to rest on her hip in a more seated position.
Just like a baby kangaroo, your little joey starts to get curious about the world as well! The pouch style of carrier lets baby sit up and see the world while still safe by your side. The sling allows them the freedom to take in all the sights and sounds while remaining snuggled and safe next to you, no matter where you happen to be. So make like Kanga and Roo, and make life a shared adventure!
It’s all the new craze, but that doesn’t mean that it's just a trend that will be gone by next fall! Baby slings are here to stay! The reasons why are simple: baby slings provide the best care for baby and are comfortable, convenient, and chic.
How do baby slings help you take care of your baby?
It all boils down to being a good parent and basic human needs. Humans need to be touched, especially babies. In the months before babies can communicate with words and phrases, touch is essential in telling your child how much you love them. Babies that are held more get the care and attention they need to develop into healthy children.
They tend to cry less and even become more independent and self-sufficient as they get older. Many traditional baby carriers advertise convenience. Perhaps you’ve seen carriers that snap into the car seat, a stroller, or a baby rocker so that you never have to take your baby out of the carrier. This very well may be convenient, but it also keeps you from touching and holding baby as much as they need! Baby slings allow you to create emotional bonds during baby’s first few years of existence that will last for the rest of their lifetime.
Why buy baby slings? A simple question with a simple answer. Baby slings provide a million and one (okay, maybe not quite that many) pros without any cons (at least that we can think of).
What is a baby sling? We’ve got a pretty simple answer for that one - you can’t stump us. A baby sling is a type of carrier that lets you carry baby essentially in your arms next to your body while keeping your hands free. Oops. We’re jumping the gun with our list of pros and cons. But since you’ve got the idea, we’ll keep going with the pros.
For starters, how do you like the idea of baby crying less? Can anything make baby cry less? The answer is a definitive yes. And honestly, it makes a lot of sense. When baby is cuddled up in a baby sling close to mom or dad, what in the world could there be to cry about? Oh, right. Maybe being hungry or a messy diaper, but overall, that’s a lot less crying than otherwise.
And speaking of all that being cuddled up close, research has shown physical contact is super important for baby’s development. When babies are first discovering the world and trying to communicate with mom and dad, they do it through touch. A baby sling keeps baby in constant physical communication and helps in that process of discovery and growth.
You’ve got questions. We’ve got answers. If you’ve heard of baby slings, and want to know more, then you’ve come to the right place.
What is a baby sling?
A baby sling is a unique type of baby carrier made from a simply shaped piece (or pieces) of cloth. It is worn like a big shoulder bag wrapped around the body so your baby is held against your body.
What are the advantages to a baby sling over a different type of carrier?
Many baby carriers currently on the market are bulky and include complex fasteners. The first advantage to baby slings is that they are sleek, simple, and roll up into a neat little ball that can be stored in a diaper bag when you aren’t using them.
Other advantages include that of convenience. Unlike some carriers that convert into strollers, car seats, or must be hauled around by the handle, baby slings are lightweight and leave your hands free to carry other items such as the diaper bag, or hold onto an older child’s hand while walking across the parking lot. Can you imagine how much easier life will be with both hands available?
Baby slings are also highly versatile. They can be used for a range of ages from newborn to toddler ages. They allow the baby to lie down, sit up, and can be wrapped so that the baby is carried on your front, back, hip, or anywhere in between! This not only helps you distribute weight evenly, but keeps life comfortable for both of you as baby grows.
With their simple pattern, their lack of fancy fastenings and complicated compartments, and their space-saving nature, baby slings appear to be the cheapest type of baby carrier on the market. However, they can still cost quite a bit more than you might be willing to pay.
Browsing through a site of beautifully patterned baby slings could be a little discouraging as you think about all the other expenses that comes with baby. Not to worry, there are plenty of resources for those looking for baby slings on sale!
Your best bet for an economically priced baby sling may be your local department store. Many large department stores carry baby slings in their infant section and will often have baby slings on sale.
The internet provides an even wider selection on for nearly any department store in the U.S. If you have your heart set on a particular brand of baby slings, then browsing through that manufacturer’s Web site could prove beneficial. Just look for a tab or section called clearance, outlet, or sale. Finally, a quick search online for “baby slings on sale” brings up a substantial list of retailers that deal specifically with baby slings at bargain prices!
As you browse for more affordable baby slings, keep in mind that there are factors other than price that should determine your final choice. Shopping through baby slings on sale may allow you to fit the purchase of two into your baby budget!
Keep safety foremost in your mind as you search. Not all baby slings have good safety ratings. Too much overlaying fabric, too many fasteners, buckles or buttons, or slings that don't hold baby properly or allow baby to sink too far under the fabrics are sure signs of safety hazards.
When you first get a baby sling, you may be feeling a bit like you’re trying to wrap an Indian sari around yourself and all you’re doing is tying yourself in knots! So, along with your new baby carrier, make sure that you take a quick study on baby slings how to.
First, you just want to know how to get the sling on. Each style of sling will have its own baby sling how to, so be sure to follow that carefully, take a few practice runs, maybe recruit the family cat for test drives (if they fall, they will likely land on their feet), and get used to getting the sling on and off.
Second, you will want to know what positions or styles you can use with your baby. In general, the different positions for a baby sling have been dubbed cradle, tummy-to-tummy, kangaroo, hip, and toddler back. For babies that are 0-3 months with no head control, the best positions are cradle and tummy-to-tummy. As the baby gains head control, but is still not super strong (approximately 3-6 months old), you can place him or her in the kangaroo position.
Babies are cute. Really, it doesn't matter, babies are just flat out cute. And it's not limited to human babies, either. Puppies, kittens – both feline and bunny kind, baby coons, wiggly-legged calves, bouncy baby bears, even baby hyenas are cute.
What is it about a baby that is makes you utter sounds like, "ooh, awww, bitty, bitty baby, look how cute!" and other nonsensical utterances? Cute must be something designed by nature, perhaps, to make sure mothers and all others want to take care of babies out of sheer cutsie delight. Whatever it is, while we're with baby human or baby whatever, we want everything around us to reflect our happiness.
What better way to compliment your baby's cuteness with cute baby slings or accessories? There's so many cute baby items out there, it is almost overwhelming to decide what to buy. But, don't let cute curdle your cranium.
Hold the reins on your enthusiasm as you search for those adorable add-ons for your baby's charm. Despite how appealing the item may be, it may have tons of flaws for use. For example, let's say you're looking at cute baby slings.
Once you get past the "oh" factor, look at the cute baby sling - see how functional it's really going to be. Are you going to be able to get in and out quickly and easily? Does it look like it might bind, be too loose, sag to low, or cause stress on your shoulder or back?
Not all cute baby slings stay so cute after a week or two of hassle or discomfort. Taking the time for your sense to rule your cute quota while keep you in the land of coo's and giggles.
African Baby Slings? No, these aren't really baby slings that are designed specifically for Africans, or people with ancestry in Africa. They are designed with African themes, like leopard or zebra patterns and the like.
People who use baby slings are usually sold on their convenience and ease of use (depending on the brand) right away. Some are so thrilled with baby sling ease that they buy them for their friends, family members, and maybe even perfect strangers.
But, many people who use baby slings also want something other than a plain color. It adds to their arsenal of style sense, complements their outfit, and makes a total fashion statement from sneakers to baby booties and nail polish.
The Marriage of Fashion and Function While this is all fine and good – really, no one should begrudge another person's desire for outfit cohesion – the most important part of a baby sling is its functionality, safety, and reliability. If your fashionable African baby sling has these things, then you've got it made.
The things to look for are how many steps does it take to get baby in the sling, and how many connecting parts are there. Simple is better.
What to Look For If you can cradle baby into a sling with one or two steps, that will make daily life so much easier. And if you have little to no connecting parts, like buckles, buttons, Velcro, or zippers, that's even better. It's hard enough to get through a baby day without adding more complications with your African baby sling.
When we went to our first expo, many parents were concerned that their baby might fall out of the sling. Leah put those worries to rest real fast when she would put the baby on her back and bent over backwords. Moms and dads gasped with excitement. When they saw that Nash wasn't falling out, they were very surprised. Baby slings can be very safe if sized and used correctly.
Recently Consumer Reports said that Baby sling carriers raise safety concerns. In it Don Mays brought up "startling" facts and figures. According to the author, "Over the past 10 years, there have been at least 22 reports of serious injury associated with the use of sling-type carriers. The injuries include skull fractures, head injuries, contusions and abrasions. Most occurred when the child fell out of the sling."
At first glance, those injuries are scary.
However, the important part to look at is that there were 22 reports in the past 10 years. I'm not trying to downplay what happened, but that's only about 2 injuries per year. It seems to me that baby slings are rather safe. Later, Don says, "For now, we think there are better ways of transporting infants including strollers, hand-held infant carrier/car seats and even other types of soft infant carriers."
Many of us have used the hand-held infant carrier/car seats. They're a pain when not in a car or on top of a grocery cart. I wonder how many injuries happen to both child and parent. I imagine it's more than 2 per year. Accoding to Thingamababy, the car seats have had a history of breaking. The consumer Reports article got a lot of comments. Most of them decry the claims made in the article. Take a few minutes to read the entire article including the comments.
Jealous of marsupials? After all, pandas, kangaroos, and koalas get to give birth to babies that weigh practically nothing, and have convenient baby pouches as part of the deal. While Mother Nature has seen fit to give us babies measuring pounds instead of ounces, there is something we can do to follow the kangaroo’s lead. A pouch baby carrier can be yours too! Pouch slings are convenient and comfortable for both you and your baby. Here’s why:
Suitable for children from newborn up to age 3 or 30 pounds
Simple, no-fuss design
Breathable, durable fabric with a hint of stretch
Fresh, funky colors and patterns
Available in 100% cotton as well as organic fabrics
HugaMonkey baby pouches are easy to put on, use, and wash. They keep your baby close and your hands free. They’re great for wearing around the house, out on the town, and even for breastfeeding! Simply sling it over your shoulder and position your baby in the pouch in a variety of comfortable positions. It works equally well as a front, side/hip, and back carrier. What could be better than taking a clue from nature and wearing a HugaMonkey pouch sling? See for yourself—you won’t be disappointed.
This past week we asked our Facebook fans and Twitter followers if they had any suggestions for Cody, who wanted to use the baby sling in cold weather. Check out the responses by 
You’ve got questions. We’ve got answers. If you’ve heard of baby slings, and want to know more, then you’ve come to the right place.
department stores carry baby slings in their infant section and will often have baby slings on sale.
Babies are cute. Really, it doesn't matter, babies are just flat out cute. And it's not limited to human babies, either. Puppies, kittens – both feline and bunny kind, baby coons, wiggly-legged calves, bouncy baby bears, even baby hyenas are cute.
African Baby Slings? No, these aren't really baby slings that are designed specifically for Africans, or people with ancestry in Africa. They are designed with African themes, like leopard or zebra patterns and the like.