Mom and Me Creations Pea in a Pod Pouch

I got my first adjustable pouch back in 2002 when I was still pregnant with Samuel. I had tried a different style carrier when I had Kaysha, my first born, but found it miserable to use for both of us. So I gave up on slings until I discovered a pouch sling. The first time I put Samuel in he was 18 hours old and he sighed with relief, snuggled in and went to sleep. After that, I was sold. Everytime I used it, he felt the same way, happy, safe and secure. That pouch literally changed my life. Especially when comparing wearing him to the previous two babies who were not worn. When we started out with Mom and Me, we wanted to offer an adjustable pouch. Why? Because I was able to use this type of sling from newborn to toddlerhodd with ease. For that reason alone, it is a great value. Everytime I wear this pouch, people are attracted to the ease of use and how comfortable my baby is, not to mention how happy the babies are in it. They just don't know what is available until they actually see one. Everytime we sell a pouch, it makes us very happy thinking it could very well change someone else's life not to mention the lives of the babies in them. That is what our goal is with these pouches, to change lives for the better.

Some of our first pouches are pictured to the right. We thought some might enjoy seeing some of our old photos again and some of my favorites! The top two pics are ol and the bottom one is our newest style pouch still a favorite for Samuel. This pouch was originally designed for Samuel. We wanted light padding on the back for his legs so that I could carry him for long periods of time and he would never get red marks. We wanted the front rail so that we could add a decorative trim and since then, we have literally hundreds of trims to choose from. We started out with the idea that the pouch should be comfortable for parent and baby and should illicit the smiles you see to the right. Samuel was and will always be a pouch boy. The bond I share with Samuel today is so very special and unique, I am sure it has come from wearing him nonstop from birth.

As our ideas for this pouch have grown over the past four years, one thing we did not want to do was to offer cookie cutter product. We have made very simple plain pouches and some very bold and crazy ones. There is a pouch for your style whether casual or flamboyant. Every pouch is hand sewn by us in our home. Attention to every last detail is taken so that you get a unique product made with the same labor love that weI made these first pouches with. Our trims are hand dyed, some by us and are wound by hand onto spools to be sewn on your pouch. In the beginning when choosing which fabrics to make pouches from, we decided we wanted to create our own, rather than shop for them. So we choose hemp fleece and dye it.

All our slings are made with hemp cotton fleece. This fabric is very similar to cotton or sweatshirt fleece but is three times stronger and it takes dye beautifully! Hemp is a natural organic fiber that is both durable and comfortable to wear. This fabric is very soft and will become as comfortable to wear as your favorite tee shirt. This is a natural fabric that will outlast cotton, polyester and linen. The natural stretch in this fabric is superior to all others. You will be amazed at the things this fabric can do. I can wear a 30 pound one year old baby completely inside this sling. Our pouches do not stretch out or wear out over time. Several years and many washings later, my original pouch still looks unchanged from it's new condition. Need more info on hemp? Click here.

You may order a natural undyed hemp or have your sling hand dyed for a custom look. The fleece side is in and the knit or smooth side is out giving your baby softness and comfort and the wicking qualities of hemp fleece which will keep your baby feeling comfortable and dry. Also this is a very trim and form fitting sling. It may be easily rolled up to fit in a purse or a diaper bag. Our pouches have a tapered shoulder for maximum comfort and better mobility for the arm where the pouch rests.

Our newest design pouches have four rows of strong durable nylon snaps. That will get you from newborn to toddlerhood with ease and allow you to gain or lose some weight, carry a newborn or toddler in the same pouch, and wear it over or under a coat. Each row closes with two rows of snaps for added security. You can wear your sling with the snaps in ANY position without fear it will come undone. Shown right, Samuel is now a 40 pound almost 4 year old and this pouch is STILL an awesome carrier for quick trips for him.

Choosing your size...

All sizes are approximate. There is A LOT of stretch to your pouch. Bust and shoulder to hip measurements are most important in getting a pouch which will fit and give you the greatest range of adjustability. Ideally, pouches should fit very snugly, almost as if they are too small. It should look as if nothing would fit into it, and it should take some maneuvering to get them into it, but once in, you will be able to tell they are very very secure. The most important measurements for determining size are your bust and shoulder to hip.

For bust measurements, you should measure over your usual attire just above the largest part of your bust, just under your armpits in clothing to determine bust size as shown below. Please note, this measurement is NOT your bra band size. Your measurement will be at LEAST equal to your bra size if not an inch or several more larger. For example, if your bra size is 36C, your chest measurement should be at least 36 if not 37-38. It should NOT be smaller.

We have added approximate shoulder to hip measurements so if you are in between sizing or unsure, use this factor to help you choose a size. Measure from your shoulder cap to the top of your opposite hip where you might rest your hand as shown below.

Our slings will stretch based on your baby's weight. For example, a newborn baby will hardly stretch this sling at all which is why our customers are able to use the new style sling with little to no padding and find their baby perfectly placed rather than lost in the depth of the pouch. A 20+ pound baby will stretch this sling quite a bit so rule of thumb is the heavier the baby, the tighter the pouch will need to be snapped. This is why it is ideal for you to choose a size were you fall into the middle of the range. However, not everyone fits a generic size chart and if you feel this is you, please don't hesitate to contact me. Please also refer to our pages on wearing positions for more sizing help.

If you are currently pregnant, please choose a size where your measurements are in the top to middle range of the size. Then as you lose weight the sling will not be too big for you. Conversely, the pouch will fit you immediately after delivery and you will be able to nurse in it. Also, because a newborn will not stretch this sling much, you will be able to get it on even if on the loosest setting it seems too tight. Keep in mind that your sling will not fit correctly until after delivery. The end chest and shoulder to hip measurement for each size range may only snap to ONE snap setting which is fine as long as your baby is under 15lbs.

Our sizes overlap so a person could easily wear a size small and a size medium, just on different snap settings. Get a very accurate bust measurement and shoulder to hip measurements too and then choose a size in which your measurement is in the mid range. If you are pregnant, choose a size based on your pregnancy bust size and NOT on your prepregnancy bust size. You want the pouch to fit when you deliver.

Washing and drying your pouch will shrink it some but it will stretch out to the size it was when you got it once you start using it. You can either hand stretch it by putting it on and stretching it by pushing the bottom of the pouch away from your body, or you can just put your baby in and let them do it for you.

If you are new to our pouches or currently pregnant, I strongly recommend you e-mail me about sizing. Please include your bust measurement, height is helpful, shoulder to hip measurement and weight and if you are currently pregnant.

Snap settings and placement

All slings will have four snap settings with two rows of snaps to close them with. Thereby relieving the stress and stretch of the fabric on just one row of snaps. Our nylon snaps are guaranteed to never break, crack or fall apart. With two rows of closures, you can be confident that your sling will not accidentally come apart while wearing. Babies cannot unsnap these for you either. This sling can be worn with the snaps in any position from your shoulder to the middle of your back but is designed to always have the snaps behind your shoulder for most carries as this is most comfortable. This sling will easily carry an infant to 40+ pounds. However whether or not you will want to carry your baby at that weight is up to you.

This sling may be worn on either shoulder. However the shoulder you choose to have snaps on has a few inches of extra fabric on that side of the pouch to keep the snaps always on your back. This also allows you to do a shoulder flip if you needed added tightness in your front rail. You may still wear it on the opposite shoulder but you will not be able to do a shoulder flip on that side. Also, if you wear your pouch on the opposite shoulder, the open/unused snaps will be on your chest.

I thought I would wear my sling on my dominant shoulder, the right, as I am right handed. However I like it much better on my left shoulder. The sling will rest partly on your shoulder and a little on your upper arm and you will not have the range of motion with that arm and I would rather have my right arm free.

If you aren't sure, here are some things to consider....which shoulder do you wear a purse/diaper bag on? This is the shoulder used to bearing weight. You will most likely prefer to wear the pouch on this shoulder.

Or which hip do you favor if you were carrying a child, or heavy bag of groceries? You would wear your pouch on the opposite shoulder of the hip you favor.

We have lots of new colored snaps available. Normally we put black snaps on black pouches and cream snaps on natural pouches unless you ask otherwise. Other colors we have include bright green, hunter green, red, navy blue, tan, metallic bronze, pink and purple. We will choose the color that looks best for your pouch unless you specify a certain color.

Construction

All fabric is washed twice prior to sewing and prepared for dye. Once your choices have been made regarding color, trim, etc. We get to sewing. Most hand dyed pouches are partially sewn prior to dying so that all stitching matches up to the dyed color well. We triple stitch our pouch seams rather than just serge them, so they don't rip, tear or get small holes. See below, the center stitching is the bottom pouch seam where your baby's bum will be most of the time. Once the body is sewn, and any dying has been done, we sew the trim on. All trims are crochet threads which are hand wound onto spools. Check out thread choices here.

Our hand dyed pouches are just that, hand dyed. Either in small vats for a single project or in a bathtub for larger ones.

Choosing colors is often a hard for our customers. Here are some helpful tips... Darker colors will show lint or drool/puke while lighter colors will hide those well but may show dirt. Each hemp sling may be comfortably worn indoors. We are often asked about wearing these in warm climates and feel that they are comfortable to wear on most summer days as long as you are acclimated to your temps. If you are already hot when you go outside, you will roast in a pouch made of hemp fleece. However, bear in mind that ANY carrier will provide extra insulation on a warm day and will cause you to be a LOT warmer than without it. Want something more appropriate for summer? Check out our wraps.

All slings have lightly padded front rail sewn on with our decorative trim This is a piece of the hemp fabric that is doubled up and sewn on with a decorative stitch on the outside so no seams are touching baby. This adds a slight padded effect without all the bulk of padding. A front rail adds more stability for head and neck. The back rail has a large rolled flat seam which is great padding for baby's legs as it "gives" and therefore is not constricting to the legs in the hip or front carry. It is also non-bulky. If you are tired of finding your baby uncomfortable with red irritated skin from a hip or front carry, this is your answer.

All slings are trimmed out with decorative yarns that are soft and durable. You may choose a contrasting yarn for a solid color if you like. We have just about EVERY color thread so let me know your preferences when ordering. If you need help or suggestions, just ask. Some variegated colors as well such as pastels, primary's, shades of blue and red white and blue, navy and cream, shades of peach, orange, hot pink, and yellow and pink. New thread page to make choices, click here!

I have used our pouches nonstop since the very first design for Samuel. Since then we have made some changes/improvements to the existing design. But as the babies turned into toddlers, I found myself really loving wraps for their comfort and support over the pouches. It is hard to beat the comfort of a wrap and that is a standard I compare all other carriers to at this point. So awhile back, I put on my pouch to do a demo for a neighbor who is expecting and realized that it is just not as comfy as it used to be. Maybe I am getting old, or the kids are just getting too big, but I went back to the "cutting board" with the idea of wrap comfort in mind and worked out some of the "kinks" and created a new design I think you will love.

From first glance this new pouch does not "look" cosmetically different from the older style. It still adjusts with snaps, it still has tapered shoulders and trim on the front rail. The difference is in how it feels on, how it supports a bigger baby yet does not overwhelm a smaller one. A lot of thought has went into comfort and functionality for the new design especially since we are all wearing our babies longer, older and heavier these days.

The new pouch is not as deep as the old and has a more fitted pouch bottom. The top rail hugs your baby close while the old style did not. The main difference is that the back rail is now a large flat rolled seam which gives great support to a big baby, is not as bulky on you, and still helps to prevent red marks. Red marks and sore legs are a real pet peeve of mine! Samuel is now old enough to say if it hurts or not and he has been very pleased. Also, you will ne3ver be confused as to the back and front of this pouch as it is obvious.

I am thrilled at how secure and supportive the bottom rail is to a baby carried on your back. I mainly use my wraps for back carries anyway and this new pouch was just as comfy for short term as my wraps. Both kids feel very secure. I was also able to try a newborn in this new design and found that they were very secure and not overwhelmed by excess fabric. The snaps being placed on a little extra fabric allow for a shoulder flip which works well with the front rail if it becomes too stretchy over time and you cannot get it into the wash to tighten it all up. Just more adjustability for a more secure hold. In exchange for the extra length on the shoulder, we have dropped a row of snaps. With the shoulder flip, it is actually more adjustable. I am very pleased with it and hope you will be too. We love your feedback on our products and would especially love to hear from you if you have both our new style and old.

Troubleshooting

A lot of new pouch users, or customers new to our specific pouch often receive them and feel they are too small. Please note, there is a lot of stretch to your pouch. Proper sizing is a must with these pouches. When you put the pouch on, it should "look" as if there is no room for baby. It should be difficult to get the baby in. That is how you get a hands free fully safe carry for an infant. You will need to wear the pouch 10-15 minutes as the fabric stretches as it warms. Our hemp pouches are like a new pair of jeans, they need to be worn a little to break them in.

If you are pregnant, your pouch will not fit right. Please wait to determine fit until after you deliver.

If you have your baby in and he is not tight against your chest, your back will get sore. If baby doesn't seem secure, tighten up your sling. Also tighten up your sling if it seems to keep falling off your shoulder.

If the sling is snapped too tight, you will know immediately as you won't be able to get your baby in, but please note, it should be a task to get them in so that they are secure. If you just drop them in, your pouch is not tight enough..

If you put your baby in the sling and baby is upset, try these things..... Every baby is different. Some take to it, some don't. I give my babies about five minutes to decide if they fuss when put in. I will walk, sway, sing, even go swing with the kids. When Samuel was new, I used to put him in and then go swing with the kids and he would fall asleep immediately. Of if I could not do that, just rocking side to side would put him to sleep. These days, he rather enjoys being awake and carried around. But he still has the option of sleeping in it which makes parent night at school a very easy thing to take him to. Anna is not quite as content in the pouch as Samuel because she wants to see everything so if she is not tired, the pouch is not where she wants to be. I am sure she will be more into it when she is able to do the Kangaroo Carry, etc.

If you have worn your sling an extended period of time and feel it has "stretched out" simply wash and dry it. It will be as good as new.

Once your pouch has been washed, it will shrink both length and widthwise. You will need to hand stretch it out to your usual setting or as many customers say, just put a kid in it, LOL! If your baby is small and does not stretch out the pouch much, you will need to stretch the pouch at the bottom seam to get your width back if you are using the kangaroo carry or hip, etc. It is nice to have the pouch completely shrunk down for a newborn. Please also DO NOT be afraid to stretch your pouch. When I sew these I usually hold both ends and pull it tightly around my body. Or if I am wearing it, I will put both hands inside it and push outward to stretch it. Doing this on the very last snap setting is the best and fastest way to stretch out a pouch.

If you have tried everything above and the pouch is not working for you, please view our Return and Exchange Policy to determine what to do next. Pouches bought through Hyena Cart may be exchanged or returned. Custom ordered pouches may not.

Also, it is helpful if you are not sure if you have the proper size to include a picture or two with your questions. A picture says a thousand words and often from one glance, the problem is obvious.

Please remember that while your baby may feel very secure in a sling, it is possible for them to wiggle out so please ALWAYS use care and common sense when wearing your baby. Mom and Me Creations is NOT responsible for any mishaps while wearing your sling. Common sense should always be used when wearing your baby.

Don't hesitate to e-mail if you need help and your questions are not answered on these pages.