Ollie Golightly Blog » gen

Yahoo for the Baby Carrier Industry Alliance!

gen — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 01:22:06 +0000

You may have noticed that a lot of the recent posts on this blog relate to babywearing safety. It has been a hot topic as of late, particularly south of the border. Recently a wonderful group of men and women form Canada and the US and from all areas of the babywearing industry formed an industry alliance (BCIA) to spearhead the implementation of voluntary manufacturing standards that will hopefully form the basis for the soon-to-come CPSC mandatory standards. This effort is the best hope we have of keeping the industry accessible. I encourage anyone who is passionate about babywearing to read about the great work being done by this organization, and to consider supporting the group through membership.

Ollie Golightly slings on Yummy Mummy Video

gen — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 02:24:54 +0000

Natasha Chiam from NaturalUrbanMamas.com recently did a fantastic spot on babywearing safety for Erika Ehm’s Yummy Mummy Club. It’s so important to keep babywearing-positive messages in the media. Thanks so much to Natasha for including our slings!

via http://www.yummymummyclub.ca/baby_carriers.

Safe Babywearing for Newborns :: CPSC & Canada Health Warning

gen — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 01:17:18 +0000

As you’ve probably heard, the CPSC and Health Canada have recently issued warnings about possible dangers of soft baby slings. According to CPSC, baby slings can cause injury or death by pressing against the baby’s nose and mouth, or by allowing the baby to lay in a curled “C”position that could compromise their airway.

This is an extremely important topic, and we are glad that so much attention is being focused on it. If properly done, babywearing is a very rewarding and beneficial practice for babies and caregivers alike. The two positions highlighted below are those recommended for children under four months.

Tummy to Tummy (MOST SAFE)

Here’s why ::

Baby is positioned vertically, and high on caregiver’s chest (baby’s bum is around bellybutton height relative to caregiver’s body)
Baby’s face is completely visible (no fabric near mouth or nose; enables caregiver to closely monitor baby)
Baby’s chin is not collapsed against baby’s chest (caregiver can fit two finger widths beneath baby’s chin)
Baby’s feet are beside baby’s body (like a frog). Avoid positioning feet beneath baby as blood circulation can be a issue.

Watch this video for detailed instructions on how to achieve the Tummy to Tummy position.

Reverse Cradle (SAFE)

Here’s why ::

Best for nursing. For sleeping, baby is more safe in the Tummy to Tummy carry.
Baby is positioned horizontally, and high on caregiver’s chest (baby’s bum is around bellybutton height relative to caregiver’s body)
Baby’s head, shoulders and hips are aligned.
Baby’s face is completely visible (no fabric near mouth or nose; enables caregiver to closely monitor baby)
Fabric does not enclose baby’s head. It gently cups the back and top of the head, but does not force baby’s chin towards baby’s chest (caregiver can fit two finger widths beneath baby’s chin). With young infants in particular, caregivers should always keep a protective hand near baby’s head!
Baby can also be positioned with head towards rings, but be very mindful of chin position.

Watch this video for detailed instructions on how to achieve the cradle position.

Here are a few quick safety guidelines for any carrying position:

Close enough to kiss :: that’s how near baby should be in order for you to properly monitor breathing.
Mimic in-arms position :: your sling should support baby in the same way that your arms would.
Two fingers-widths between Chin and Chest :: Baby’s chin should never rest on his/her chest.
Face Visible :: Baby’s nose and mouth should be completely visible and away from any fabric.

Be safe, be loving and enjoy!

Beeswax Linen Bibs – v1.0

gen — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 03:28:50 +0000

I’m in love with beeswax-treated textiles. They repel moisture and soil naturally, and they smell amazing! I’ve been working on some new products using this wonderful technique. Here is a sneak peek of the bib. Look for it at the spring One of a Kind Show in Toronto.

Christmas Project 2009

gen — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:06:28 +0000

Every year, I do a production run of a craft or something edible to give to friends and family as small Christmas tokens. Last year it was candied orange peel dipped in chocolate – Yum! This year I decided to start a new tradition of creating a limited edition print on a dish towel. Everyone uses them, and they are inexpensive to ship! The added benefit is that it gives me a much-treasured opportunity to experiment in the studio. This design was made by drawing directly on to an open screen using a semi-permanent screen filler. Here is the result:

Christmas Project 2009

One of a Kind Xmas 2009 Wrap-Up

gen — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 04:33:23 +0000

The Christmas One of Kind Toronto is over for another year. This was Ollie Golightly’s second year at the show, and once again, it was excellent! We saw many new parents and babes using their Ollie Golightly slings bought at previous shows. We demonstrated ring sling carrying positions to HUNDREDS of people, and were thrilled to see many new customers walk away happily slinging their children. A few adventurous moms even got the hang of nursing in their new slings and were able to continue on with the show while their babies snacked. We even had one customer buy a sling for their miniature-poodle (not the first dog-sling for Ollie Golightly!)

Our Squirrel print Toddler Tee was featured on the spring OAKS promo!

Thanks so much to Sydney from Just The Facts, Baby (an excellent Canadian parenting blog!) and Christine from Momzelle (fantastic Canadian-made nursing tops) for helping out.

Calla Evans Phtography

gen — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 04:54:20 +0000

Thanks so much to Calla Evans Photography and Baby S.’ family for sharing these amazing photos!

Aleksandra and Baby S. show off their Ollie Golightly sling (Rhubarb with Giant Squid print) at Cherry Beach.

Nathan and three-day-old baby S.