Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Fabric Choices
Follow this link to see our current selection of in-stock fabrics (click on "View Slideshow" when you get there):
http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLandingSignin.jsp?Uc=vzruxyr.9eulmg4b&Uy=f1zpzv&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=0
Please remember, if you don't see something that you LOVE, let me know and we will find the perfect fabrics for you. If you have a fabric in mind, let me know that too, I can probably get it for you. I love fabric shopping so bring it on!
To place an order, please email Dale Ann at familytais@sbcglobal.net.
Mei tai prices are:
$60 - single sided cotton print
$70- single sided brocade
$70 - two sided cotton print
$80 - two sided brocade
http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLandingSignin.jsp?Uc=vzruxyr.9eulmg4b&Uy=f1zpzv&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=0
Please remember, if you don't see something that you LOVE, let me know and we will find the perfect fabrics for you. If you have a fabric in mind, let me know that too, I can probably get it for you. I love fabric shopping so bring it on!
To place an order, please email Dale Ann at familytais@sbcglobal.net.
Mei tai prices are:
$60 - single sided cotton print
$70- single sided brocade
$70 - two sided cotton print
$80 - two sided brocade
Monday, August 14, 2006
A Few Examples of our Work
This is one of our ring slings. It was made with black linen with a Indian jungle/elephant print accent, which doubles as a pocket. The colorful rails make it easier to adjust and we added embroidery along the rails for even more pretty.
This is one of our first brocade mei tais. It is a Asian village scene on butterscotch cotton twill with a tan/gold ribbon trim embroidered with a variegated thread.
This last one was a double sided black cotton twill with a fun, retro Michael Miller cowkids fabric on one side and a cool, funky Alexander Henry print called Corazones on the other. The cowkids received a sweet red and white gingham ribbon trim, and the Corazones side has a dark red ribbon trim with black featherstich embroidery.
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
About Us
Welcome to the Family Tais family of baby carriers! We're Creating the Tais that Bond!
Family Tais were “born” when Dale Ann began researching baby carriers for her adoption trip to China. Many of the typical carriers she found on the market were designed for newborns or small infants. Since most children who are adopted internationally are older babies and toddlers, those just wouldn’t work. Then, she found mei tais (pronounced may ties) and ring slings, which are perfect for wearing babies of all sizes. She discovered that in addition to the practical reasons so many people wear their babies, baby wearing could help promote bonding and attachment for families created by adoption. She teamed with an expert sewer and experienced mother, her sister Jana, to bring you Family Tais: carriers that are both fashionable and practical for all families.
Family Tais were “born” when Dale Ann began researching baby carriers for her adoption trip to China. Many of the typical carriers she found on the market were designed for newborns or small infants. Since most children who are adopted internationally are older babies and toddlers, those just wouldn’t work. Then, she found mei tais (pronounced may ties) and ring slings, which are perfect for wearing babies of all sizes. She discovered that in addition to the practical reasons so many people wear their babies, baby wearing could help promote bonding and attachment for families created by adoption. She teamed with an expert sewer and experienced mother, her sister Jana, to bring you Family Tais: carriers that are both fashionable and practical for all families.
What Are Family Tais
Family Tais come in two styles: the mei tai and the ring sling. Both can be worn by moms and dads of all shapes and sizes because there are no straps or buckles to adjust. Either style is designed to help you comfortably wear any size baby or toddler up to 30 to 35 pounds.
A mei tai is a traditional Chinese baby carrier. It consists of a rectangular body with four straps that enable you to carry your baby on your front facing-in, your back facing-in, or on your hip. Family Tais are a modern version made from soft 100% cotton twill or denim. They have a cotton canvas interior for strength and durability. Family Tais have a decorative panel added to one or both sides. Either way, they are totally reversible. They have a lightly padded fold-down headrest to provide support in case baby falls asleep, and our waist bands and shoulder straps are lightly padded as well for your comfort. The decorative panel is framed with coordinating embroidered ribbon trim, and we offer optional embroidery stitching on the straps.
A ring sling is a long length of material that is looped around your body and held together by a small metal ring, much like a ribbon belt. Ring slings are also perfect for both front and hip carriers. Family Tais ring slings are made from soft, breathable linen with co-coordinating pockets and trim on the edges. All of our rings are from www.slingrings.com, and come in a variety of colors. They are seamless and tested to hold up to 250-300 pounds.
A mei tai is a traditional Chinese baby carrier. It consists of a rectangular body with four straps that enable you to carry your baby on your front facing-in, your back facing-in, or on your hip. Family Tais are a modern version made from soft 100% cotton twill or denim. They have a cotton canvas interior for strength and durability. Family Tais have a decorative panel added to one or both sides. Either way, they are totally reversible. They have a lightly padded fold-down headrest to provide support in case baby falls asleep, and our waist bands and shoulder straps are lightly padded as well for your comfort. The decorative panel is framed with coordinating embroidered ribbon trim, and we offer optional embroidery stitching on the straps.
A ring sling is a long length of material that is looped around your body and held together by a small metal ring, much like a ribbon belt. Ring slings are also perfect for both front and hip carriers. Family Tais ring slings are made from soft, breathable linen with co-coordinating pockets and trim on the edges. All of our rings are from www.slingrings.com, and come in a variety of colors. They are seamless and tested to hold up to 250-300 pounds.
The Benefits of Babywearing For Babies
Babywearing reduces crying: Research has shown that babies who are carried cry (on average) up to 43% less overall and up to 54% less during the evening. (1). Many families report that their newly adopted child cried for several days unless being carried. Family Tais can make this initial period of adjustment easier on everyone.
Babywearing stimulates mental development: Babies who are worn spend more time in a “quiet, alert state” when carried, which is the ideal state for learning. Their senses are stimulated by the world around them, yet they can be comforted by you quickly if the sights and sounds become a little overwhelming. This is especially important for newly adopted children who may have little experience with the bustling world outside of the orphanage.
Babywearing promotes bonding and attachment: Babywearing helps promote a sense of security and trust. Bonding and attachment do not happen immediately, but carrying your child close to you in a Family Tai carrier may help. It can help them get used to your face, your scent, your voice and your heartbeat, which can help promote the bonding and attachment process (2). Dr. Bill Sears, of www.askdrsears.com states, “Home to a baby is where mother and father are, and the sling is a constant reminder of baby's "home." It makes adaptation to new environments easier and travel more pleasant for the whole family. "
Babywearing in a Family Tai mei tai or sling promotes good physical development: Many of the major brands of baby carriers leave your baby dangling by the crotch. Mei tais and slings, when worn correctly, provide a pouch for your baby to sit in with her knees above her bottom. This position, which must be more comfortable, is much better for baby’s spine, hips, and pelvis.
1. Hunziker, U. A. and Barr, R, G. (1986). Increased carrying reduces infant crying: a randomized controlled trial. Pediatrics, 77, 641-8.
2. Anisfeld, E., Casper, V., Nozyce, M. and Cunningham, N. (1990). Does infant carrying promote attachment? An experimental study of the effects of increased physical contact on the development of attachment. Child Development, 61, 1617-1627.
Babywearing stimulates mental development: Babies who are worn spend more time in a “quiet, alert state” when carried, which is the ideal state for learning. Their senses are stimulated by the world around them, yet they can be comforted by you quickly if the sights and sounds become a little overwhelming. This is especially important for newly adopted children who may have little experience with the bustling world outside of the orphanage.
Babywearing promotes bonding and attachment: Babywearing helps promote a sense of security and trust. Bonding and attachment do not happen immediately, but carrying your child close to you in a Family Tai carrier may help. It can help them get used to your face, your scent, your voice and your heartbeat, which can help promote the bonding and attachment process (2). Dr. Bill Sears, of www.askdrsears.com states, “Home to a baby is where mother and father are, and the sling is a constant reminder of baby's "home." It makes adaptation to new environments easier and travel more pleasant for the whole family. "
Babywearing in a Family Tai mei tai or sling promotes good physical development: Many of the major brands of baby carriers leave your baby dangling by the crotch. Mei tais and slings, when worn correctly, provide a pouch for your baby to sit in with her knees above her bottom. This position, which must be more comfortable, is much better for baby’s spine, hips, and pelvis.
1. Hunziker, U. A. and Barr, R, G. (1986). Increased carrying reduces infant crying: a randomized controlled trial. Pediatrics, 77, 641-8.
2. Anisfeld, E., Casper, V., Nozyce, M. and Cunningham, N. (1990). Does infant carrying promote attachment? An experimental study of the effects of increased physical contact on the development of attachment. Child Development, 61, 1617-1627.
The Benefits of Babywearing For Parents
Babywearing is great exercise: Walks with your baby in a Family Tai helps burn calories and develop muscles.
Babywearing is comfortable: Family Tais lightly padded straps help distribute your baby’s weight evenly across your shoulders, back and hips, letting you wear your baby for longer periods of time with little to no discomfort.
Babywearing is stylish: In the past, baby carriers were either boring (black, grey, or tan) or cutesy (bunnies, duckies or cartoons). Family Tais offers comfortable, modern fabrics with style and flair! We love to work with our customers to find the fabrics that fit their lifestyles.
Babywearing is convenient: You will no longer need to haul your heavy, cumbersome car seat or stroller wherever you go. Family Tais can also double as a changing pad, a cushion or a blanket. They can also be folded and stuffed into your diaper bag when not needed. Try that with a stroller!
Babywearing is a time saver: Household chores, shopping, and other day-to-day activities can be accomplished when you don’t have to stop to tend to your baby. She is right there with you in your Family Tai, so it’s easy to comfort her on the go.
Babywearing is safe: Older babies and toddlers can be come easily distracted and wander away from you. A Family Tai carrier allows you to keep your child safe in busy or unclean places.
Babywearing boosts confidence: Laura Simeon of www.wearsthebaby.com writes,
“A large part of confidence is the ability to read baby’s cues successfully. When a baby is held close in a sling, a parent becomes finely attuned to baby’s gestures and facial expressions....Every time a baby is able to let his parent know when he is hungry, bored, or wet without having to cry, his trust in the parent is increased, his learning is enhanced, and a parent’s confidence is reinforced. This cycle of positive interaction enhances the mutual attachment between parent and child, and it makes life more enjoyable for everyone.”
Babywearing is fun! Whether this child arrived by birth or by adoption, you’ve worked hard to make her a part of your family. You deserve to hold her close, marvel at her beautiful face, and watch her learn to enjoy her new world. With a Family Tai carrier, she is right there, close enough to snuggle and kiss whenever you want.
Babywearing is comfortable: Family Tais lightly padded straps help distribute your baby’s weight evenly across your shoulders, back and hips, letting you wear your baby for longer periods of time with little to no discomfort.
Babywearing is stylish: In the past, baby carriers were either boring (black, grey, or tan) or cutesy (bunnies, duckies or cartoons). Family Tais offers comfortable, modern fabrics with style and flair! We love to work with our customers to find the fabrics that fit their lifestyles.
Babywearing is convenient: You will no longer need to haul your heavy, cumbersome car seat or stroller wherever you go. Family Tais can also double as a changing pad, a cushion or a blanket. They can also be folded and stuffed into your diaper bag when not needed. Try that with a stroller!
Babywearing is a time saver: Household chores, shopping, and other day-to-day activities can be accomplished when you don’t have to stop to tend to your baby. She is right there with you in your Family Tai, so it’s easy to comfort her on the go.
Babywearing is safe: Older babies and toddlers can be come easily distracted and wander away from you. A Family Tai carrier allows you to keep your child safe in busy or unclean places.
Babywearing boosts confidence: Laura Simeon of www.wearsthebaby.com writes,
“A large part of confidence is the ability to read baby’s cues successfully. When a baby is held close in a sling, a parent becomes finely attuned to baby’s gestures and facial expressions....Every time a baby is able to let his parent know when he is hungry, bored, or wet without having to cry, his trust in the parent is increased, his learning is enhanced, and a parent’s confidence is reinforced. This cycle of positive interaction enhances the mutual attachment between parent and child, and it makes life more enjoyable for everyone.”
Babywearing is fun! Whether this child arrived by birth or by adoption, you’ve worked hard to make her a part of your family. You deserve to hold her close, marvel at her beautiful face, and watch her learn to enjoy her new world. With a Family Tai carrier, she is right there, close enough to snuggle and kiss whenever you want.
Safety
Family Tais strive to make durable, safe carriers for you and your baby. However, keeping your baby safe is ultimately your responsibility. When you purchase a Family Tai carrier, you assume responsibility for keeping your baby safe and for the proper maintenance of the carrier. Always inspect your carrier before using. Please do not wear your baby if you find loose seams or rips in the fabric. While wearing, periodically check your knots to make sure they are tight and secure and that baby is comfortable. Be careful and aware of the extra space you and your baby occupy when in crowded places and going around objects. If baby is on your back, be aware of the objects around you within reach. Do not engage in any activity you would not do if holding your baby in your arms.
Caring For Your Family Tai
All fabrics are prewashed to help avoid shrinkage and bleeding. Your carrier should can be machine washed in cold water, unless otherwise noted. I strongly suggest washing your carrier in a lingerie bag or pillow case on the delicate cycle to preserve its beauty. All carriers should be line dried.
Babywearing Resources
Of course, always feel free to e-mail Dale Ann at familytais@sbcglobal.net for support or further instructions. Loads of Babywearing mamas with tips to share can be found at www.thebabywearer.com. More detailed explanations of the benefits of Babywearing can be found at www.askdrsears.com and www.wearsthebaby.com.
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