Wrap Cast!

Here is our first podcast from Metro Minis. Learn how to do a FWCC with a woven wrap. We're using one of the MM exclusive Girasol colorways--Green Tea.
The podcast will be available on iTunes soon!

Press Release from Sling Manufacturer

Baby Sling & Carrier Manufacturers Speak Out
On Baby Sling Safety Warning

March 11, 2010

With the publication of an Associated Press article regarding the CPSC government warning on baby slings and the Consumers Union’s concerns about “bag-style” slings, the companies co-sponsoring this release are taking a stand to help educate the public on the differences between safe vs. unsafe baby slings and carriers as detailed below.
The ancient practice of babywearing made its way into western culture in the 1960s and its popularity with American consumers has grown because of its vast benefits.  Unfortunately, this has led to the creation of several potentially unsafe baby slings and carriers. Slings and carriers of concern are popularly categorized under the token term “bag-style” slings.  In “bag-style” slings, the deep pouch where baby sits puts the baby in a potentially suffocating curved or “C” like position. Also, excessive fabric with an elasticized edge may cover baby’s face inhibiting breathing.  Furthermore, the design may cause the baby’s face to turn in toward a caregiver’s body, potentially smothering the baby.
In contrast, shallow pouch-style slings, ring slings, mei tais and wraps hold baby in proper alignment and they fit snuggly by design and instruction.  They have been engineered, developed and tested by parents, often the manufacturers themselves with their own children.  These carriers are often simple and without gimmicks.  Dedicated and concerned manufacturers of these types of safe slings and carriers have sponsored this release.
Because of the popularity and gaining market share of small baby carrier companies, a few years ago the Juvenile Products Manufactures Association (JPMA) was approached by a handful of these companies asking for a standard to be created. These companies were initially alarmed by the creation of some carriers, mostly by home crafters, fashioned from materials unsuitable for baby products. Soon after, M’liss Stelzer, a pediatric nurse, did an oxygenation study discovering a potential link between infant deaths and “bag-style” style slings therefore creating even more need for the standard as well as further study.
Upon this need the ASTM, an internationally recognized creator of standards for consumer products and test procedures, created a subcommittee for Sling Carrier Standards.  The ASTM Subcommittee is made up of manufacturers, consumer advocates and government officials from the US and Canada including members of the CPSC. The subcommittee started writing the standard two years ago. In this time more deaths have occurred, all linked to the “bag-style” sling being reported by Jennifer Kerr, a writer for the Associated Press in the article referenced in the first line of this release.  This has alerted the CPSC to take necessary action and issue this warning.
In well-designed products, babywearing is not only safe, but is actually very beneficial when done properly. Studies have shown that quality baby slings and carriers have been shown to save lives, improve health, decrease crying, increase IQ, and facilitate breastfeeding and bonding. For examples of these cases and further reading see “Increased Carrying Reduces Infant Crying: A Randomized Controlled Trial” an article written by Urs A. Hunziker MD and Ronald G. Barr MDCM, FRCP(C), “Saving My Baby” a blog post written on Fierce Mama’s Blog by Sarah Kaganovsky and Dr. Maria Blois’s book Babywearing.
Studies have also shown that worn babies are happier and spend more time in the quiet alert phase.  In this phase they benefit more than their non-worn peers in language development and knowledge acquisition. Babywearing also helps babies sleep better, and physical needs, including breastfeeding, are met more quickly by a close, responsive parent.  Millions of babies over time have been worn to their benefit making baby slings and carriers more of a necessity than the often-publicized fashion accessory. (Source La Leche League International)
The vast benefits of babywearing should not be disregarded with the report of incidents from “bag-style” slings. The sponsors of this release make safer baby slings and carriers and have been active in the standard writing process and are dedicated to safety through engineering. “We see this as an opportunity to reach out and educate American consumers. We hope to provide valuable information allowing parents and caregivers to not only make informed buying decisions, but also to increase the awareness of how to properly wear children, especially babies, in baby slings and carriers,” says Kristen DeRocha, ASTM Subcommittee Chair. The Associated Press article regarding the CPSC warning gives proof to the growing popularity of baby slings and carriers and validates the need for education.
Several trusted websites exist to aide in the education of babywearing for caregivers and new parents. To name a few: TheBabywearer.com, the Facebook fan page for Babywearing Safety, Mothering.com and LaLecheLeague.org.
 
This press release was sponsored by:
Hotslings, Maya Wrap, Moby Wrap, Wrapsody, Gypsymama, Together Be, Kangaroo Korner, Taylormade Slings, Scootababy, Bellala Baby, Catbird Baby, SlingEZee, ZoloWear, HAVA, SlingRings and Sakura Bloom
For comments or questions regarding this release please contact Kacy Jones, Director of Marketing for Hotslings, Inc.
Phone: 214-350-4160x108
Email: kacy@hotslings.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Babysling Safety

Eye Witness News was here today and interviewed Joanna.

Story Time with Pearl and Mirela -- Free Sample Class March 11th

Musical Storytime is a 45-minute weekly class for children ages 10 months to 4 years, with a parent or other caregiver. Classes are led by Pearl Port, storyteller and specialist in children's literature, along with Mirela Chitiu, professional music teacher.

Free Sample Class ~ March 11th at 3:30pm
6 Consecutive Weeks ~ March 18th through April 22nd
Thursdays ~ 3:30p

Sing-a-longs, stories, movement, puppets and songs... Each week enjoy a musical journey through song and story.

Pearl and Mirela delight children by reading stories along with their own songs from around the world, all played on the guitar. They choose books filled with humorous tales, animal adventures, fantasy, stories of seasons, families, friendships and much more... all inspire and ignite your child's imagination.

A treasure trove of children's literature and song, fun to hear, sing and read along.

Within every story is a song!

At Musical Storytime, your children:

• Learn new stories, songs, movements and fingerplays.
• Discover wonderful picture books to expand their imagination and language development.
• Explore their creativity and rhythm...

... while singing along to the guitar and making new friends in an interactive and fun-filled musical storytime!

For a quality experience for all the maximum number of participants is ten and the minimum number is five. If the minimum is not reached within 48 hours before the start of the first day, the event will be canceled and paid registrants will receive a full refund. After payment is received there are no refunds for the classes. If for any reason class must be canceled by us it will be rescheduled.  No refunds for missed session(s.) However, you can send a friend in your place on the day you cannot attend. Please make arrangements and let us know in advance so we can welcome your friend.

Metro Minis Video Pod Cast

Our first shot for our video podcast took place on Sunday.
Stay tuned the first babywearing podcast will be up in March.

Fun with your little one! Musical Storytime at Metro Minis

Sing-a-longs, stories, movement, puppets and songs...

Each week, ENJOY a musical journey through song and story.

Pearl and Mirela delight children by reading stories along with their own songs from around the world, all played on the guitar. They choose books filled with humorous tales, animal adventures, fantasy, stories of seasons, families, friendships and much more… all inspire and ignite your child’s imagination.

A treasure-trove of children’s literature and song, fun to hear, sing and read-a-long.
Within every story is a song!

At Musical Storytime Your Children:

Learn new stories, songs, movements, and fingerplays.
Discover wonderful picture books to expand their imagination and language development.
Explore their creativity and rhythm.

All while singing along to the guitar and making new friends in an interactive and fun-filled musical storytime!

For children ages 18 months to 4 years. (With a parent or caregiver.) Classes led by Pearl Port, storyteller and specialist in children’s literature, along with Mirela Chitiu, professional music teacher.

To register and for further information, please eMail us. Registering will be shortly placed on our shopping cart

Metro Minis

821 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10021

(212) 313-9600

Put a Sling on 'Em

Slings in the City member Zakia posted this on Facebook, and we couldn't resist a chance to share it here! Enjoy!!

"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!