Ubuntu Baba – Stage 2

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

WHAT MAKES YOUR ORGANIC HEMP BABY CARRIERS UNIQUE?

They’re light, breathable and easy to use. You can also quickly adjust to fit all shapes and sizes. Our waistbands are supportive yet very gentle on c-section healing.

WHY STAGE 1 AND STAGE 2?

Ubuntu Baba organic hemp baby carriers are specifically designed to complement the physical and emotional stage of your baby’s development. A newborn baby is very different from a toddler – they sleep differently, cuddle differently and they experience the world differently. Therefore it also makes sense that they should be carried differently. A newborn baby requires more support to maintain an ergonomic position of the hips and spine, however, when carrying a toddler, your body needs a little extra support to carry their extra weight.

WHY ORGANIC HEMP?

Hemp is UV resistant and a great temperature conductor, therefore keeping your baby cool in hot weather,but snuggly and warm during the winter months. Hemp fabric “wears in, not out” so your carrier gets softer and comfier, the more it’s worn. Furthermore farming of hemp also offers significant benefits for the economic and environmental sustainability of our planet as it grows rapidly and requires little water and no pesticides or herbicides.

I’M PLUS-SIZE / VERY PETITE. DO YOUR CARRIERS FIT ALL SHAPES AND SIZES?

Yes! Our organic hemp baby carriers are very easy to adjust. They fit all body types and sizes. With extra long straps, they can be neatly tucked away at the length needed.

CAN I WEAR MY BABY FACING OUTWARDS?

We do not recommend wearing your baby facing outwards in our Ubuntu Baba Stage 1 or Stage 2 carrier. They have not been designed to support an outward facing position, but rather the ergonomic inward facing position (or back carry position in Stage 2). That supports the natural flexed c-curve of a baby’s spine.

I’M CONFUSED, WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A UBUNTU BABA STAGE 1 AND A STAGE 2 AND WHICH ONE SHOULD I CHOOSE?

Features of Stage 1 Carrier:

Our Ubuntu Baba Stage 1 carrier is designed first and foremost to help you meet the needs of your newborn baby quickly and easily. It’s made of a softer and more breathable organic hemp fabric than the Stage 2 (a young baby is still developing their system to be able to regulate their own body temperature) it also grows with your baby from newborn to 14 months or 12kgs, whichever comes first. It can only be used in the inward facing front carry position and is more suitable for the ‘NINO period’ than the Stage 2. (Scroll down for more info on the NINO period.)

There is a drawstring across the body of the Ubuntu Baba Stage 1 carrier which allows you to adjust the width of the seat. Once your baby reaches the full width of the seat, thereafter you'll know that they will be able to fit comfortably into the Stage 2. Most parents who own a Stage 1 carrier will upgrade to a Stage 2 between 10 and 12 months of age, for the main reason of wanting to be able to do a back carry, however many parents use the Stage 1 all the way through to 14 months.

Features of stage 2 carrier:

Stage 2 can be used from around 9 months+ and has a weight limit of 20kgs. It’s made from cotton canvas and hemp blend, still more breathable than any other fabric of that thickness but less soft and breathable than a Stage 1. It’s a bigger carrier in general, and it is also designed with a more emotionally mature toddler in mind. You can use it for both front and back carry positions.

WHAT IS THE NINO PERIOD? (nine months in, nine months out)

In babywearing, the NINO period stands for nine months in, nine months out. It’s the most important stage for emotional development. Your baby needs to feel the safety of being held close and against your chest. The sound of your heartbeat will almost always calm them down. Babies often go through periods of being overstimulated and struggling to fall asleep. Stage 1 carrier was designed to create more of a hugging feeling around baby, which mimics the feeling of being held snugly in the womb. It also helps to calm youe baby down and help them fall asleep quickly.

ARE YOUR BABY CARRIERS ERGONOMIC? DO THEY COMPLY TO THE STANDARDS OF THE INTERNATIONAL HIP DYSPLASIA INSTITUTE FOR NEWBORN HIP DEVELOPMENT?

Yes, our organic hemp baby carriers have been designed to ergonomically grow with your baby. Carrier supports their legs in the correct ‘M’ position from birth through to toddlerhood.

WON’T THE ‘M’ POSITION HURT MY NEWBORNS HIPS?

No, the ergonomic M position is the natural froggy position that your baby will assume if you hold them up on your chest. There is absolutely no over-stretching of the hips involved. The seat width on our Stage 1 carrier is fully adjustable to suit the width of your babies hips. You can set the width to the tightest setting and then thread the carrier body through the small gap between your babies legs. Spread the fabric up and over their bum to support their back. Their little feet can wrap around the carrier and back under their bum again.

HOW SOON CAN I USE YOUR STAGE 1 CARRIER AFTER MY C-SECTION?

As soon as you feel comfortable and able to walk and hold your baby safely, you will be able to use your carrier. When wearing your newborn the waistband will be positioned around belly button height which is much higher up than your incision, so it shouldn’t place any pressure on your scar. As with anything medical, it’s always best to listen to your medical practitioner’s advice.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO BREASTFEED IN YOUR CARRIERS?

It will take some practice, but yes! Please see our instructional video - how to breastfeed in our Stage 1 or Stage 2carrier.

CAN BABYWEARING HELP WITH GAS, COLIC OR REFLUX?

Absolutely. Keeping your baby upright after a feed has been attributed to decreasing the effects of reflux. Helping to stop the acid refluxing and your baby vomiting. As soon as your baby has settled after a feed you can put them in the carrier which will keep them in an upright position. The simple natural movement of walking with your baby in a carrier will help to calm and settle them down.

WON’T I BE SPOILING MY BABY OR CREATING BAD HABITS IF I WEAR THEM FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME?

No, there is no such thing as spoiling your baby. Your baby needs as much love and physical touch as possible to help them feel comfortable in their new environment. This is what baby expert Meg Faure has to say on the subject:
“Until 200 years ago all babies were carried on their moms and dad, in slings and carriers. Most babies love to be carried and those who spend a lot of time in a sling or carrier around their parents’ bodies tend to cry less than those who don’t. By keeping your baby close to you, you will provide him with physical contact, security, stimulation and movement, which are all excellent conditions for his development.” Read Meg’s full article here.

Be sure to check all our color variations: here

STAGE 2 VIDEO INSTRUCTIONS: