We didn't get into babywearing until Honey was about 4 months old, before that, I'd been put off as I found the carriers and slings we had, really uncomfortable. To cut a long story short, we met Nicole, found ABC's and never looked back! Over the last few years, Nicole has helped so many Cheltenham and Gloucestershire families enjoy safe babywearing through running the Sling Library with a small team of trained volunteers and via her online business selling ABC's and Vija tops. When she asked if we would be interested in helping her make some videos showing parents the benefits of Vija skin to skin tops, of course the answer was yes!
One of my first purchasing decisions when I was pregnant with Ace was a set of Vija t-shirts for myself and my husband, which we started using as soon as Ace was born and instantly loved it! As part of the preparation for shooting the videos, I had to practise wearing Ace in a range of different Vija products which was amazing for both Ace and myself and got me thinking about the the different strengths of each top...
T-shirt
The one that's perfect for shopping...
The t-shirt is a little like wearing a stretchy wrap but without the faff (yes, I still think it's a faff even though I can do it now and I love it) of wrapping and it allows you to complete tasks completely hands free. I often wear Ace in this when we pop into town as it allows me to have my hands free to carry shopping and hold hands with Honey, plus it is laced with sleepy dust so Ace doesn't get bored of being dragged around the shops! If he wakes up, the fact that I can discreetly breast feed while still wearing the top, comes in really handy. It's worth noting that the tops are not exclusively for skin to skin time, babies can be lightly clothed inside the tops so they won't get chilly if you need to take them out when you're out and about!
Halterneck
The one that's perfect for chilling...
This is a lovely top for evenings in front of the TV or for lounging about in a shady patch of the garden! While it doesn't give you the same hands free abilities as the other tops, it is the easiest to get Ace in and out of which makes nappy changes simple and it still lets you have that super snuggly/soothing skin to skin time.
Camisole and Cummerbund
The one that's perfect of you're in and out...
This is really two tops in one! The camisole can be worn on its own if the weather is warm, it has a panel of fabric designed to wick sweat away from the body and additionally, Ace has his legs out so won't get too hot either. It can be worn with the cummerbund as an extra support/layer. I wear this one at home when i'm doing housework or if Ace is feeling a bit fussy close to bedtime and it's not quite time for his last feed of the day. It's fab if you're in and out of the house hanging out washing, taking the rubbish out or playing in the garden as you can add and remove a layer quickly and easily.
Wrap top
The one that's closest to wrapping...
This top lets you feel like you're wearing baby in a stretchy wrap but without actually having to know how to wrap. I wear this one on hot days when Honey is playing in the garden and wants company at one of her imaginary tea parties, as well as to the park or shops. As with all the tops, it's also great knowing that Ace is getting plenty of tummy time as we're on the go!
*Although we were very kindly given a range of tops to practise with, all opinions expressed in this blog are my own.
Ace wears... A selection of Vija skin to skin tops
One of my first purchasing decisions when I was pregnant with Ace was a set of Vija t-shirts for myself and my husband, which we started using as soon as Ace was born and instantly loved it! As part of the preparation for shooting the videos, I had to practise wearing Ace in a range of different Vija products which was amazing for both Ace and myself and got me thinking about the the different strengths of each top...
T-shirt
The one that's perfect for shopping...
The t-shirt is a little like wearing a stretchy wrap but without the faff (yes, I still think it's a faff even though I can do it now and I love it) of wrapping and it allows you to complete tasks completely hands free. I often wear Ace in this when we pop into town as it allows me to have my hands free to carry shopping and hold hands with Honey, plus it is laced with sleepy dust so Ace doesn't get bored of being dragged around the shops! If he wakes up, the fact that I can discreetly breast feed while still wearing the top, comes in really handy. It's worth noting that the tops are not exclusively for skin to skin time, babies can be lightly clothed inside the tops so they won't get chilly if you need to take them out when you're out and about!
Halterneck
The one that's perfect for chilling...
This is a lovely top for evenings in front of the TV or for lounging about in a shady patch of the garden! While it doesn't give you the same hands free abilities as the other tops, it is the easiest to get Ace in and out of which makes nappy changes simple and it still lets you have that super snuggly/soothing skin to skin time.
Camisole and Cummerbund
The one that's perfect of you're in and out...
This is really two tops in one! The camisole can be worn on its own if the weather is warm, it has a panel of fabric designed to wick sweat away from the body and additionally, Ace has his legs out so won't get too hot either. It can be worn with the cummerbund as an extra support/layer. I wear this one at home when i'm doing housework or if Ace is feeling a bit fussy close to bedtime and it's not quite time for his last feed of the day. It's fab if you're in and out of the house hanging out washing, taking the rubbish out or playing in the garden as you can add and remove a layer quickly and easily.
Wrap top
The one that's closest to wrapping...
This top lets you feel like you're wearing baby in a stretchy wrap but without actually having to know how to wrap. I wear this one on hot days when Honey is playing in the garden and wants company at one of her imaginary tea parties, as well as to the park or shops. As with all the tops, it's also great knowing that Ace is getting plenty of tummy time as we're on the go!
*Although we were very kindly given a range of tops to practise with, all opinions expressed in this blog are my own.
Ace wears... A selection of Vija skin to skin tops
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