STYLE FILE
COURTESY NEW BABY EXPO
Moby silk wraps, like the silver brocade version, right, run from $55 to $57. At left, wraps from Sweet Island Baby range from $85 to $100, with an average price of $90. During the New Baby Expo, all the Mei Tai baby carriers will be available for $85 each.
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Carriers keep baby close and parents fashionable
No one could have predicted 20 years ago that we'd be making a fashion statement today by carrying the right purse with the right pooch, but that is so yesterday. Today's mother of all accessories is a baby, wrapped in its own colorful pouch or sling.
New Baby Expo
More than 150 booths geared toward parents and babies:
Place: Neal Blaisdell Exhibition Hall
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Admission: $4.50 general at the door; free for children 5 and younger
Call: 239-BABY (2229) or visit www.newbabyexpo.com
Highlights
2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: Infant learning expert Robert Titzer will demonstrate learning activities to help parents stimulate brain development in their infants and toddlers.
1 p.m. Saturday: Baby crawling contest
1 p.m. Sunday: Hawaii's largest baby shower
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As Americans we're a little late to the phenomenon, as women from other countries have been wearing their babies for generations. Women are catching up with a variety of pouches, from neoprene slings that can go into the pool or ocean, to slings that can be coordinated with streetwear for the trendy mom, or those made with fleece, cotton or silk liners for baby's comfort.
The New Baby Expo taking place Saturday and Sunday will feature a variety of styles from more than five vendors.
In addition to making a fashion statement, slings help to promote bonding between parent -- and who says it has to be a woman? -- and baby. The slings give infants a feeling of warmth and protection, stimulating emotional learning, and parents have the security of knowing where their child is while shopping and running errands with hands free to get things done.
Look for slings from...
Green Pea Designs: Offering reversible baby pouches that will carry your child from birth to 35 pounds.
Sweet Island Baby: Carries nursing covers, Sweet Island Baby Mei Tai baby carriers, changing pads and burp cloths.
Moby (Mother and Baby): Makes wraps and distributes a 100 percent cotton, wraparound baby carrier available in 10 vibrant colors. The company also recently launched the Moby D, a luxurious version of the Moby with a center panel that is created from cozy fleece, hand-woven cotton or Asian silk brocade. Also offers Moby Knits, a collection of 100 percent cotton hats, blankets, sweaters and cardigans for babies, toddlers and parents.
WaterKiD: Offers Neoprene carriers for use in the pool or ocean.
USA Baby: Carries all types of carriers, from slings to backpack Kelty styles.
For more information about the benefits of "babywearing," visit
www.nineinnineout.org, for the national organization called NINO (Nine months In and Nine months Out)."