My experience with the sling…
“ My name is Jacqueline, I am Dutch and I live in Italy since 1995. I experienced my pregnancy, delivery and motherhood in this country so different in culture than mine.

I found out about the Tricot Slen sling when I was getting ready for the birth of Kim. Being able to carry a child in this way seemed a practical solution. I carried Kim in the long sling since she was born and I discovered its several advantages: when I was busy with the housework, Kim took part in all that I was doing and at the same time I had my hands free. When she was three, I still carried her on my back, in the backpack, and she had a really good time from that position…

In order to carry on with all my work such as cooking, gardening, doing house-work, shopping, working, I often carried also Bo, my second daughter from when she was born. It is very comfortable to carry Bo: in this way I can dedicate more time and attention to Kim. Since I am a mother, I discovered that carrying is not only a technique but represents much more: it is also a stimulating way for growing together and living a positive life with my daughters.

I think it is important in our culture to spur parents to continuous contact with their children after their birth. Our children have always been carried since man exists. Unfortunately, over the last century, industry and technology deeply affected us. We deviated from our instinct and today newborn babies live separated from their parents from birth. It is essential for a human being to receive all that he/she needs for his/her physical and mental development during the first years of his/her life: love, protection and nourishing… in other words, a human being needs to be in contact with his/her mother and father for a healthy and balanced growth. Therefore, it is natural for children to be nursed and carried as long as possible. Only that we do not know how to put to practice these essential things, since we have been brought up with a bottle and a pram… The important thing is for parents to feel free to continue their everyday life naturally also during the ‘inarms phase’ (NB. for nearly the first 12 months).

We need to learn how to carry our child in the best way.

In this conditioned society, we are not accustomed anymore to using a simple baby carrier such as a sling. This is why I decided to offer slings and organise courses to explain how they work: to go back to a natural contact with our children who feel loved by being carried.

During the period before and after the birth of my daughters, I found many people on my way who accompanied me by giving me interesting information, useful advice, moral support and many other things. It was very important for me.

I would like to share all this very useful information I received through this website.

Enjoy reading!

I bear witness to the 'Lotus Birth' of Bo…
Bo was born with the Lotus Birth method, an unique experience - very deep and special. Please click here if you want to read about my experience with the Lotus Birth method.

Choosing a good baby carrier:
Babies can be carried in different ways. Sometimes it is not easy to choose the right one among all those that the market offers. Carrying your child in a wrong way or with an unsuitable baby-carrier may cause them physical problems. Moreover, if the baby-carrier is unsuitable, you may have back and shoulder pain.

Baby-carriers may also be used by persons with physical problems once you find out the best way to do it. If you want to carry your child from birth, the long sling offers many possibilities and can also be used right from the start.

Warning: check the material and colouring used: babies love to chew!

I offer you...
The models I distribute in Italy are the following: Tricot Slen, Tri-Cotti, BB.Slen, BB.Sling and BB Backpack. They are made of natural materials and colours and obtained excellent results in the Oko-Test in Germany. TriCotti and Tricot Slen are manufactured in Holland. BB. Slen, BB. Sling and BB.Backpack are manufactured in India within the fair trade project.

I invite you…
Please visit the pages of this site containing all the information on baby-carriers and where you can browse around the other original articles for children made by me in my art workshop... Searching the "baby carrying" theme I found very interesting information through books. The Dutch book entitled "Lieve Lasten' (KIT Publishers) gives fascinating information on how babies are carried in different cultures all over the world, including Europe. The author of this book authorised me to translate the text and publish it on my site. Please visit the following pages: 'Carrying...' and 'Baby carrying: Why?...' They are very inspiring...

How to use the long sling and other baby carriers
Normally, you can use the sling by following the instructions indicated in the instruction booklet supplied with the product. It is clearly explained in
detail and also illustrated with pictures. Now you can also buy a DVD with all the detailed instructions for using the long elastic sling. But if you want personal help, you can also attend the courses. I present and show how to use the different baby-carriers during fairs and events and, on request, also in other places: hospital facilities, in collaboration with midwives, various associations, shops.

Would you like to attend the courses?
I will explain the advantages of carrying your baby and you will learn how to use the baby-carrier with your own baby. You can participate even if you already have a sling and if you have problems or you are uncertain about using it.
Check the course calendar on the 'Courses and Events' page.

NEW!...The ‘Beloved Burden 'Carried Children-Loved Children'
In 2007, I thought it was important to realise a DVD on how to carry children in order to help parents and parents-to-be...

...this is a beautiful dvd/video to spread the importance of continuous contact after birth, with many images, lots of information on the advantage of 'Carrying Children'. How, when and why, with all the filmed instructions on how to use the elastic sling to carry your child in front, on
your hip or on your back!

You can buy or make a present of this DVD, share it with friends and persons who want to go into the importance of the concept of the continuous contact with their child: carrying, breastfeeding, massaging their child.

I also can recommend this book to you:
"The Continuum concept" of Jean Liedloff: a fascinating book...
Jean Liedloff, American anthropologist, took part in five expeditions among the Yequana, natives still at the Stone Age culture. The Yequana are American Indians and they live in the Amazonian forest of Venezuela.

Jean Liedloff lived with them for a certain period of time. She noticed different characteristics that made the Indians living there very different from her and from other white individuals: they were endowed with a constant joy of living. The Yequana were always happy and ready to enjoy themselves even in situations that would have caused strain and bad temper in whites, such as transporting very heavy tree trunks to the top of a hill or similar situations.

During her research, Liedloff discovered that the joy of the Yequana derived from the way in which women grew their children: a very natural and instinctive way. They preserved the ancient wisdom of meeting the instinctive expectations of their babies. In her book - "The Continuum concept" - Liedloff describes interesting experiences and observations.
(In Italy: La meridiana edition/ISBN 978-88-87507-33-3)

For further information on baby-carrying, natural birth and natural upbringing methods:

• Dear web-visitors,
  just a few words for reflecting (and increasing awareness). The following words are in my heart and soul from the moment I took part in the seminar with Michel Odent, in January 2007, organised by Clara Scropetta:

  "WOMBECOLOGIY:
  FROM HOMO PREDATOR TO HOMO ECOLOGICUS,
  IS THE MUTATION POSSIBLE?"

  “Comprehension and respect for the physiology of the primal period is at the basis of life ecology and sustainability, i.e. that special period from conception to the first years of life. Meeting the primary needs of the human being from conception is the key point for the development of our species and of the world towards peace, harmony, respect. Conception, pregnancy, birth and puerperium respecting physiology is a right for each new born and a real investment for the future for the persons involved in "that" birth and for all mankind.

  Multidisciplinary scientific studies show that the capability of the human being to love oneself, others and nature is developed during the initial stages of life. The well-being of the child is strictly related to the well-being of the mother. The mother, thanks to the activation of her natural abilities, tends to love and look after the children transmitting them the richness of a life full of relations based on esteem and mutual respect.

  Knowing and promoting this culture of birth is a deep work of ecology. This concerns all of us, not only if and when we are expecting a baby. This means promoting our development to Homo ecologicus and giving a real and strong contribution towards a world in which immaterial human values prevail over production, consumption and profit."

  www.wombecology.com is the website of Michel Odent.

• If you browse through Internet and type "liedloff"or "baby carrying", you can find many interesting information.
  
• www.portareipiccoli.it is the website of the association called 'Portare i piccoli' (Baby Carrying) specialised on this subject. It is intended for parents and professionals of early childhood.
• www.lalecheleague.org is the website of the League for mothering through breastfeeding. You can find all you need on breastfeeding.
• www.aimionline.it is the website of "Associazione Italiana Massaggio Infantile" (Italian Infant Massage Association).
• www.eliotropio.org. Eliotropio helps to accompany mummies and daddies during pregnancy until birth by means of yoga, shiatsu, music, dance and communication techniques.
• www.casamaternita.it is the maternity home called "La Via Lattea" in Milan. This is a nonmedicalised facility; it is an alternative solution to hospitals and clinics and meets the requirements of women and their families to experience birth and motherhood as natural events of life from the social, cultural and health viewpoint.
• www.melogranoroma.org is the website of "Il Melograno - centro informazione maternità e nascita" (motherhood and birth information centre), an association that devotes itself to active birth, accompanying women during their pregnancy, delivery and the first years of life of their children.
• www.lalunanuova.it is the website of 'La Lunanuova' midwives. La Lunanuova is a professional association of midwives dedicated to the activity of preparation to birth and pregnancy aid, during home delivery and puerperium.
• www.lavitaprenatale.org is the website of Evelyne Disseau: " We want to accompany couples who want to have a baby all along the birth course from before conception to delivery and beyond in order to give them the basis for discovering the sense of life, recover genuine values and understand themselves, their children and what will be their commitment as Mothers and Fathers."
• www.contattocontinuo.org is the site of the non profit social organisation Contatto Continuo (Continuous Contact) for the well-being of children and parents.
• http://homepage.sunrise.ch/homepage/maurer_/ is the website of Willi Maurer. Willi accompanies people in the development of their inner potential with emotional and body work and holds aikido courses and meditative exercises. He tries to make his experiences flow in debates on preventing violence. He has a meeting place to grow together in the heart of Malcantone-Ticino-Switzerland.
• www.gravidanzaconsapevole.org is the website of Bianca Buchal. Bianca has been interested in prenatal life for several years. She shares with you many experiences and knowledge through her website.
• www.psicologiaperinatale.it is the website of Alessandra Bortolotti, perinatal psychologist. The perinatal psychologist is an operator that works in close contact with all the colleagues working in the primal period: gynaecologists, midwives, professional breastfeeding consultants IBCLC, paediatricians, clinical psychologists and psychiatrists. Her field of activity is that of health protection and prevention of pregnant women and all their family during the primal period. The perinatal psychologist does not carry out clinical activity, even if she is acquainted with the basic elements, but tries to identify and send her colleagues alleged or self-evident situations of risk.
• www.lotusbirth.it is the official Italian website of Lotus Birth (where you wait for the natural detachment of the umbilical cord). What is it about, why should I choose it, what are the advantages and the possibility of registering the birth on-line. Some births taken place in Italy and the pictures of children with their placenta.

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