The new, revolutionary ERGObaby Four Position 360 Baby Carrier - get yours now at Born!

We're really excited to see the arrival of the new Four Position 360 Baby Carrier from ERGObaby!

Why? Because up until now, ERGObaby have only produced carriers with inward-facing positions where your baby sits with their face snuggled up against you.  Like it's name suggests, the Four Position 360 Carrier enables you to carry your baby in 4 different positions including on your front with your baby facing outwards.

So why have ERGObaby not made an outward facing carrier before? 

In a word, Ergonomics.  When your baby is being carried in a carrier or wrap, it is essential that they are sitting in an ergonomically correct position (a bit like frog legs with knees slightly above their hips),  to protect the growth of their hips, pelvis and spine.  The Four Position 360 Carrier design has a structured bucket seat so your baby maintains the frog-leg position when facing outwards. ERGObaby claim this is the first carrier worldwide to feature an ergonomic Front Outward Position, so in the world of baby carriers, this is pretty revolutionary!

It's also important that you or the person wearing the carrier are supported too.  The best ergonomic position to carry a child in is on your back - essentially an assisted piggy back! Your child leans in towards your centre of gravity, so they feel much lighter - especially as your little one gets bigger and heavier!

But on your front, if a child faces outwards, they tend to lean away from your body, placing strain on your neck and back. ERGObaby have added extra support to compensate for this including a new adjustable waistband that provides additional support for the lower back.

When it all gets too much...

In the outward-facing position, your baby can't look away and hide their face, so ERGObaby recommend that they only stay in this position for 15 minutes to avoid overstimulation.  This is understandable, but we would suggest you need to take your environment into account - 15 minutes in a busy shopping centre or on a tube train is definitely enough for a baby (frankly, it's enough for anybody!), but when you are walking through the park or in quiet open spaces, there will be a lot less stimulation.  Trust your gut instincts and listen to your baby, and be sure to turn them around when they've had enough or are ready to sleep.

At just £139.90, the carrier is a great choice - available in black & camel or grey, you can carry your baby from day one (with infant insert), moving from front carry inward-facing to front carry outward facing, hip carry and back carry depending on your baby's age and stage of development.

If it's good enough for Prince George...!

When Prince George was born, his first official photograph showed him swaddled in the arms of his mother.  It is claimed that on the back of this, the practice of swaddling your baby has taken off in the UK.

However, swaddling is not just a current fad. The practice of swaddling goes back to around 4000BC in ancient central Asia. The ancient Greeks and Romans swaddled and there are biblical references to swaddling babies.  The practice continued through the centuries, with women across the world wrapping their babies in order to soothe, reassure and help them to sleep.  And in the last ten or so years, scientific study into swaddling supports what mothers have known all along!

So what are the benefits of swaddling?

Wrapping your baby with their arms close to their bodies is said to recreate the warmth and security of the womb, so immediately helps a baby feel safe, calm and comfortable. By putting them down to sleep wrapped in a swaddle, this feeling of peace can continue.  Swaddling prevents babies from making spontaneous jerky movements (called reflex motion) and waking themselves up continually during the night, leading to a longer, more restorative sleep.

Aden + Anais Organic Muslin Swaddling Wrap

Babies should always be swaddled in light fabric as a heavy blanket could get them too hot. Aden + Anais produce some beautiful swaddling blankets made from muslin.  This lightweight fabric has a delicate, but strong weave, making the fabric stretchy and therefore ideal for swaddling, as the natural give allows the blanket to be tucked snuggly around a baby without being overly restrictive. The muslin also allows air to circulate, keeping the baby cosy without fear of overheating. Equally, Ergopouch do a fabulous bamboo swaddle wrap with many of the same properties.

Always look for the Frog Legs!

There have been fears that swaddling forces the hips into a straightened position where the legs are pressed together, which may lead to a condition called hip dysplasia. In fact, when a baby is swaddled properly, their legs are not restricted and they have plenty of room for the hips and knees to move freely. A baby’s natural hip position is 'frog' style – with legs drawn up and thighs roughly at right angles to the body. This helps the ball and socket joint develop properly in the hip.

The Ergobaby Sleep Tight Swaddler

If you are not confident about getting the right position, we recommend the ease (and speed!) of a swaddler, where the work is done for you! We especially love the Sleep Tight Swaddler from Ergobaby and the EasySwaddle from Aden + Anais – both stretchy, breathable and importantly help keep your baby’s legs in the Frog Leg position.

If you are not sure whether to swaddle or not, the ErgoCocoon from ErgoPouch is a perfect option for you – this half swaddler / half sleeping bag keeps your baby’s arms tucked inside, but with space to move their hands.  It comes with poppers in the arms for an easy transition into a sleeping bag when your baby is ready!

The ErgoCocoon Hybrid Swaddle & Sleeping Bag

When swaddling, use common sense and your instinct as a parent.  Use a specific swaddler, swaddling blanket or muslin, don’t cover your baby’s head and never place them on their stomach when swaddled.  Many babies love and respond to the benefits of swaddling but it’s not for everyone so listen to your baby’s needs and be led by them! 

Check out our range of baby blankets and swaddles at Borndirect, or ask about them in our stores.

The Joolz Day Sense Pushchair - Safe for you, your baby and the planet!

The Joolz Day Sense Pushchair has arrived at Born!  This fantastic pushchair is both stylish and perfectly practical, and is designed to maximise comfort for you and your little one.


The chassis is beautifully styled with a streamlined feel to give a smooth ride.


The carrycot is roomy with a high quality supportive mattress, allowing air movement and ventilation and providing a peaceful, comfy sleep day or night.


The fabrics are made from an eco-friendly blend of organic cotton and hemp, to keep your baby warm in winter and cool in summer. T​hey are anti-allergenic too as they are resistant to bacteria, mould and UV sunlight - perfect for babies delicate skin.




But Joolz go further than the pushchair - concerned about sustainability and carbon footprints, Joolz have planted a Birth Forest to help fight deforestation and climate change.  Register your Joolz pushchair and the birth date of your child and Joolz will plant a new tree in the forest - you can even follow its growth on their website!

The packaging is recycleable - into an elephant! And when you buy the Day Sense, Joolz have included three gorgeous toys made from soft eco-friendly fabrics which can be used as cuddle blankets or be folded into different animals, perfect for encouraging interaction and imagination!

The pushchair retails at £899 and includes the chassis, the seat, the roomy carrycot, the shopping bag, accessory bag, raincover and the 3 fabric toys.  You can also accessorise further with the Day Sense Parasol at £39, the Changing Bag at £89 and toasty Footmuff, also at £89.


Contact us for more details!

Just a few more days left to enter our Stokke Steps competition

Have you entered our compeition to win a Stokke Steps children's chair?

It finishes in a few days so make sure you like our Facebook page and click on the WIN! tab to enter and be in with a chance of winning this fabulous chair worth £159 in the colour of your choice.

Head for the Hills with the ERGOBaby Ventus Lightweight High Performance Baby Carrier

Spring and Summer are the perfect time for putting on those walking boots and getting out and about with your baby. But whether you are hiking up mountains or strolling through cities, as the weather gets warmer, carrying an extra little person can get both of you hot and bothered.

The new Ventus Performance Baby Carrier from ERGObaby is an ideal solution.  Designed specifically for active families, the carrier is made from a high tec mesh fabric, making it very very lightweight and beautifully breathable - a great way to make sure that you and your baby stay cool and aerated.

But outdoor activities often demand a high level of support both for you and your baby. Does the lightweight mesh mean that the carrier isn't not as strong? Not at all - The fabric and mesh are premium quality and there is reinforced stitching and interfacing to give further strength.  We also love the way that the carrier has a high back, giving further additional support for your child's head and neck.

With contoured shoulders and padded straps and waist, it's fabulously comfy to wear - even if you have a petite frame. And whether you wear the Ventus on your front, back or hip, your baby will be sitting in an ergonomic position for their hips, pelvis and spine, so you can be assured that they are totally comfy too, no matter how far you walk!

The Ergobaby Ventus Performance Baby Carrier comes in a Graphite Grey colour with a sleeping hood tucked in the back pocket and at just £119.90 (including delivery), it's a great choice of carrier - you can use it with an infant insert from birth and it's so durable that you'll get years of use from it.

The Ventus is now in our Born stores and also available online at Borndirect. We are an Authorized Retailer of ERGObaby.

How Massage can help with baby's digestion

Anna runs 'The Gentle Touch' baby massage classes in Bristol. In this blog she explains the benefits of baby massage for digestive complaints. I found baby massage very useful when mine were babies, a skill that was passed down by my mother to me.  If you are interested in learning about baby massage classes see the contact details at the bottom.- Eva                                                                        

One of the most common reasons that parents come to our baby massage classes is help with their baby’s digestive complaints. Massaging the stomach with certain, careful strokes helps to move the milk and any wind around the intricate intestines, easing the pain, improving constipation and any cramps.

Another ailment common to many babies is gastro-oesophageal reflux. Reflux occurs when the muscle that controls food entering the stomach is not yet fully matured and so the contents of the stomach – food (milk) and stomach acid - passes back up into the food pipe (oesophagus). Stomach acid burning the oesophagus causes the baby pain, and they are frequently sick. It’s also possible to have ‘silent reflux’ where the baby isn’t vomiting regularly, but they will be uncomfortable and cranky.  In addition to the frequent posseting and / or vomiting other signs of reflux can be arching away from you during feeding, refusing milk, crying and waking frequently at night.

During the first year the valve at the stomach opening will grow stronger, and many babies will eventually grow out of their reflux. However, in some cases it doesn’t go away, causing far worse complications.

How does baby massage help?
Gentle massage strokes help to calm your little one who may be distressed and in pain.  Massaging the whole body will help to improve muscle co-ordination and tone throughout which can improve reflux. Whilst we cannot massage the specific muscle responsible for the reflux, massaging your baby’s skin across the whole body stimulates the nervous system, including the Vagus nerve. This nerve controls many aspects of the digestive system.

Baby massage also allows you to reconnect with your baby, who may be irritable and not sleeping well, so it can be a tough time for parents as well. A short regular massage can help you regain some of those loving feelings together.

How to massage a baby with reflux
Babies with reflux find it difficult to be flat on their back so lie them down with a cushion under the top half of the back so they are at a 45 degree angle. Listen to your baby’s signs and if they are distressed move to another position such as sitting up on your lap, or lying on your outstretched legs.  Use gentle massage strokes with an edible cold-pressed, organic oil, we recommend sunflower oil.
Babies normally all enjoy their legs and feet being massaged so you could start here to introduce them to massage and work around the body. Any strokes to the stomach area should be left to right, and clockwise as this is the way the digestive tract works. Leave at least 45 minutes after feeding to massage the stomach.

Some parents find it helpful to carry your baby during the day which keeps them upright, and research has shown that carried babies cry less, and crying makes reflux worse. If you’re breastfeeding you could look at your own diet and cut out triggers such as dairy, caffeine, citrus and rich, spicy foods. These can be reintroduced one by one to see if this affects the reflux.

Your baby’s back muscles strengthen as they grow and they gradually learn to sit up, which improves the reflux with more time spent upright.  You can practice a short amount of tummy time each day to allow them time to develop their back muscles.

If you’d like to find out more about the benefits of baby massage and learn a full body massage for your baby then come to one of our four week courses. Classes at various venues in Fishponds and Southville. Also available for 1:1 sessions or home groups with friends / antenatal groups. To find out more get in touch with Emma and Anna at  info@the-gentle-touch.com or www.the-gentle-touch.com

New Jack N' Jill brushes and toothpaste; teeth cleaning need never be a chore again!

Do you have a child who hates the taste of toothpaste? Are you worried about the ingredients in the toothpaste that your little one may swallow? Or maybe teeth cleaning is becoming just one more chore at the end of a long day!

Our new range of baby and children's natural toiletries from Australian company Jack N' Jill are bound to liven up anyone's teeth cleaning routine and are ideal for teaching your child about oral hygiene from an early age.

We especially love the 5 flavours of Jack N' Jill natural toothpaste, made from organic fruit flavour with organic calendula to soothe sore little gums. We're not the only ones who love it - the Environmental Working Group Skin Deep Database have awarded it a zero-danger rating - the only baby toothpaste to have achieved this status!

With a focus on keeping it safe and keeping it natural, the Jack N' Jill range is perfect for little teeth and gums and with most of their products and packaging being biodegradeable or recycleable, they're totally safe for the environment too!

You can try out the flavours next time you are in-store or view the whole range via our website.