Last 2019, I finished my Babywearing Consultancy course with the School of Babywearing in UK. It was a surreal experience for me and my family because it was our first (and only, as of writing) international trip as well. Our course was at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I have sewn a lot of ring slings and breastfeeding blouses just to afford the course, and it was all worth it, especially with all the insights I learned from my tutor, Victoria Ward.
Pre-consultancy course, I have been a strong and passionate babywearing advocate since 2016. I don’t own branded slings,.all I have is my basic knowledge and few skills in my toolbox. In all those years, I only bought a ring sling from QB Collections (La Trinidad, Benguet, PH), and all of my slings are my products in EcoSnuggles. I personally sew all my slings–wraps, ring slings and meh dai, but I only sell stretchy wraps, woven wraps and ring slings. I already made a pattern for onbuhimo but I can’t seem to find good materials that can fit what I have in mind to make it safe and comfortable.
Watch: How to Use a Buckled Carrier (Front Carry) using Lillebaby 6-in-1 Airflow Mesh
Post-consultancy course, I now have this certificate and enough qualifications in me, that inspired me to move forward with my passion. I wanted to offer sling hire, since we don’t have it in here. I wanted to conduct sling meets to increase love and awareness in babywearing here in the Philippines, especially in Iloilo City. As a former college teacher, the passion of passing-on knowledge is still burning within me, and I wanted to transfer that from the scientific facts in Biology to the scientific facts and skills in babywearing—I wanted to educate people, parents, pregnant women, new-parents, doctors, nurses, everyone. I also want to create more babywearing educators so that we can build a network of sling specialists, thus making babywearing knowledge more accessible to many people.
Watch: Back Wrap Cross Carry & Celtic Knot Finish using Woven Wings Woven Wrap Size 6
I only have one problem. I only have EcoSnuggles baby carriers. Though, EcoSnuggles-made carriers have been around since the birth of my eldest son, 2016, and has carried a lot of babies not just here in Iloilo but also in other parts of the Philippines, it is not yet safety-tested (EcoSnuggles is a one-man team, so I lack manpower for mass-production, and I lack funds for safety testing). Yes, i always say this to my audience, clients, and followers, that for me, being in a third world country, babywearing shouldn’t be expensive for it to be correct. Yes, safety-tested baby carriers are a lot better since you can ensure the safety of your child when being placed on that sling–you can never put a price on safety–but, (1) what if you don’t have enough funds to buy one for yourself, and you need the assistance of a sling to carry on with your life as a mother and wife? I believe that babywearing should ease some of our burdens, and not to add up with things to worry. (a moment of retrospection–our Filipino ancestors just used whatever materials they have onhand as a sling, where they would carry their children on top of the mountains, or in the middle of the rice field). (2) everything that is being used with a child pose hazards when used improperly..and this also includes our slings, even if they are safety-tested when not used accordingly, may cause detrimental effects. Going back, I have tons of ideas bombing in my mind almost every single day as to how I can expand babywearing awareness in my country. But, as what I have said, I only have EcoSnuggles-made slings. Yes, I am proud of my handmade products, but first I don’t want going around doing all these events and activities parading my brand. I want my advocacy separate from my business. I don’t want people looking at me, thinking that I only promote babywearing because I sell baby carriers. Also, I thought that I’d be sort of a fraud talking about slings and carriers and their brand to inquiring clients without me having them tried on, or even held them at least. Moreover, I also want to promote safe babywearing through the use of safety-tested baby carriers (if and only if they have enough budget to buy one). Sooo, it made me look for safety-tested baby carriers and I can’t afford them to be very honest. I am not one of those Filipino mothers who belong to the upper class who can own several branded carriers..I belong to the majority of Filipinos. I don’t have the budget to buy one. I searched on some BST groups online and yet, even second-hand carriers are still expensive.
Watch: Didymos Silver Waves Woven Wrap in Front Wrap Cross Carry (with Great Additional Tips)
A little pause, a little step-back,. What else can I do to pursue my plans? I thought of asking help from sling manufacturers if they can help me with my plans at the same time promote their brand through photos online, and through in-person sling meets where I would bring their slings for potential clients to try on. And I am blessed that a few sling brands helped me achieve this goal.
They are the following brands (arranged alphabetically): Aruga Handwovens sent me a size 4, handmade woven wrap, known as Candy Cane. Didymos sent me a size 5, 100% Cotton Woven Wrap known as Silver Waves. LILLEBABY Phillippines sent me a 6-in-1 Airflow Mesh buckled carrier. Nanay at Ako Boutique sent me a Meh Dai, “Giraffe”. SaYa sent me two dual pouch carriers, their SSK and VTB. Soul Slings sent me three baby carriers but customs won’t release the parcel, asking me to pay almost double the price of all the three carriers combined, even if I sent them proof that I did not pay for those, that those were sent as a gift, with that, the carriers were then sent back to India. YakaPH sent me two dual pouch carriers. Woven Wings sent me a size 6, woven wrap, MR Geo Blue. And Zima.PH sent me a buckled LennyLamb onbuhimo.
Watch: How to Use an Onbuhimo featuring Zima.PH’s LennyLamb Onbuhimo
Aside from the sling meets and sling classes that I conducted where those slings were tried on, used and explored by attendees, I have met some clients who already bought the same baby carriers and just wants me to teach them how to use it. Other clients on the other hand, are eyeing on some brands and wants to try them on before they buy.
Watch: Nanay at Ako Boutique’s Meh Dai in Action
It wasn’t really easy asking for slings. A part of me thinks that maybe these businesses might think that I just want a freebie just because. No, I don’t consider myself as an influencer. My following number is not that high to be considered as one. I, on the other hand, consider myself more of as a mover, or a game-changer. Asking for help through their free slings took all my pride and ego all for the love of babywearing. And I will always be grateful for their trust and support.
Where are these slings right now? They are here in my house, safely kept and well-taken cared of. I offer sling tour where carriers can be tried on my Filipino mom all around the Philippines. Sometimes I grab them for personal use just to make them more soft and so that I can wash them regularly. But most of the time, I still use my own carriers so that the sponsored slings will still be in good shape come clients asking for that brand to look and try on. And I can’t wait for this pandemic to be over so that I can resume with my monthly sling meets.
Why am I sharing this to you? Simple. I just want you to know that if you have a plan, and if you want to make a difference, the universe will conspire and help you achieve that goal. Just do the work and welcome the Earth-based angels that will support you to reach your dream.
All I’m thinking right now, is that I hope one day I can pay forward all the goodness and trust given to me to future babywearing educators here in the Philippines, by sending them safety-tested EcoSnuggles products and more.
Special shoutout to one of my followers who never fails to like and heart my posts, who also shares them on her social media accounts..thank you Mommy Ana Charissa Dominggo-Evangelista for your support!! Please do support her amazing cloth diapering advocacy–like her page and follow her social media accounts! She is The Advocate Mama!
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