Slingbabies is a non-profit community group dedicated to training and educating parents on all aspects of Baby wearing. They are leading the way in mother/baby support with the age old global tradition of parents wearing their babies in carriers as a part of everyday family life.
In celebration of International Babywearing Week (Sept 21-28), they have recently launched a nationwide campaign aimed at promoting the practice of Kangaroo-Care at National Women’s NICU.
Ground breaking research has revealed that babies thrive better when they are close, skin to skin with their mother for as long as possible after birth and beyond. Slingbabies wants to ensure that ALL premature babies are given this right, as they are routinely separated from their mothers straight after birth, and the majority are kept isolated from human contact. Babies aren’t the only ones to benefit from skin to skin - mothers of premature babies have been shown to be at higher risk of developing PND. Kangaroo care helps mothers feel they have an important part to play in their baby’s care, rather than feeling like a visitor.
Slingbabies have gathered together with some of New Zealand's top baby businesses to donate products for this most worthy of causes. They have combined some items for online raffles, and others are being auctioned on Trade Me. The Slingbabies Facebook Fan Page is extremely popular, with daily featured vendors, prizes and updates.
Slingbabies will use all the proceeds to gift special "one of a kind" Slingbabies stretchy wrap carriers to NICU mothers and babies. As many wrap slings as possible will be gifted, with any remaining profits going to the Starship Foundation.
The crescendo of the week will be the "Baby Sling Expo", held on Friday 25th September, 10am-1pm at the Sturges West Community House, 58 Summerland Dr, Henderson. This free, fun family day has raffles, spot prizes, a sausage sizzle, bouncy castle, vendor stalls, sling demos and more. Come and find out what the excitement about baby slings is all about. As founder Jessica Richards says,
“There is a carrier to suit the needs of every parent and baby.”
See www.slingbabies.co.nz for more details.
SOURCE: Jessica Richards @ Slingbabies
DATE: 21 September, 2009
