"Green" Wrapping for the holidays.

I have been becoming a big fan of Chico Bags Those reusable bags are coming in fun styles and designs. So this year Chicobag came up with the ingenious idea to wrap holiday gifts in one of their chico bags. Video below. If you come to Metro Minis we have tons of Vitae bags and Limited Edition Snowman Chico bags. Regular price is 8.99 but if you buy something in our retail location and get it giftwrapped you can get a Chicobag gift wrap for only 6 dollars.

Babyhawk Report

The Babyhawk Mei Tai is one of our bestsellers. NBC San Diego just ran a little story about the business.
Check it out below

Metro Minis became Trained Partner with "Trageschule Dresden"

I cannot believe it took me so long to make this announcement. Our staff at Metro Minis were honored to receive training through Ulrike Hoewer of the Trageschule Dresden this past summer.
First a few words about the "Die Trageschule". Trageschule Dresden is the first established school dedicated to teach the Art of babywearing. Ulrike has 6 kids and she wore all of them in wraps and carriers. She created the first babywearing school in the world and to teach people how to become a babywearing instructors. In collaboration with experts and doctors in the health field she established her curriculum. It contains three parts the basic course, the advanced course and the certification course. This past summer we took the basic course and in the spring/summer of 2010 we will continue with advanced and certification.
We are very proud that Metro Minis became trained partners with Die Trageschule Dresden. There are currently only a handful of women in the USA trained by Ulrike, so we are especially proud to made that happen.

What Happens at a Slings in the City Meeting?

Before founding MetroMinis, our very own Bianca Fehn founded Slings in the City to bring babywearing information and help to New York City. For the past several years, SITC has been holding monthly meetings to give free babywearing help to anyone interested. Come check out a meeting! Here's what you can expect:

• Babies. And some toddlers and older kids too!
• Slings, carriers, wraps, mei tais, pouches etc. galore.
• Personal attention and help from experienced parents. We'll help you find the right carrier and position for your body and your baby.
• A friendly place to socialize, meet other parents, and discuss life with a babe.

The meetings are typically casual and free-form, and adapted to the participants. Sometimes there is a special focus, such as back carries, but there is always time to help anyone with other needs. You can try on the carriers provided at the meeting, and bring your own. Meetings are free and open to anyone interested in babywearing. We hope to see you there!

SITC Manhattan next meets on Saturday, November 21 from 3-5 at Metro Minis (75th & Park)

SITC Brooklyn next meets on Sunday, November 22 from 2-4 at Amy Takemoto's home in Bay Ridge. Please e-mail lbrundage [at] gmail.com for the address.

Mix it Up!

When it comes to babywearing, we all have our favorites. I have a strong preference for woven wraps, with mei tais coming in second. When my daughter was younger, I never really felt comfortable in a soft-structured carrier, even though many of my friends preferred them.

On a whim the other day, I pulled out my bEco Butterfly, and it was great! My three year old liked stepping in and letting me pull her on like a backpack. It distributed the weight really well, and differently than my still-comfy wraps do. I was able to do all of me errands with her in the bEco and we were both happy. If you have a carrier in your stash that is languishing, give it another try!