Got A Question? We Have The Answer For You...

How Easy Is The Hug-A-Bub To Put On?

While the Hug-a-Bub takes a couple of practise sessions, it pays off with hours of enjoying a happier baby and truly comfortable baby carrying. We liken the Hug-a-Bub to a hiking boot. It may take longer to put on than a sandal but you wouldn't want to be wearing sandals walking up a mountain! Our instructions are highly regarded for being easy to follow "instructions for dummies". We have taught thousands of parents how to tie a Hug-a-Bub using methodology taught to us by the best train the trainer baby carrier instructor in the world, Ulrike Hoewer of the Dresden Baby Carrying School.

What Is The Difference Between The Organic Pocket Hug-A-Bub And The Organic Lightweight Hug-A-Bub?

The main purpose of the pocket, other than to provide a contrasting colour, is that it turns inside out and becomes a storage bag for the sling fabric. Other than that, the Lightweight Hugabub functions in the same way as the pocketed style. The pocketed wrap does however offer more support for bigger or heavy babies, due the double layer of fabric. The Lightweight carrier can be cooler in hot climates and is best suited for use up to about 8 months or 10kg. The pocketed wrap remains comfortable for up to 14 kg or around two years old. Our certified organic wrap carriers are made from a softer, thicker, stretchier cotton interlock and are a substantially more comfortable option for anyone wanting to carry from birth to large babies or toddlers. While simple in appearance at a glance, the pocket component of the Hug-a-bub is the most complex, time consuming and costly part of manufacturing, thus the difference in price.

My Baby Doesn't Settle In My Hug-A-Bub. What Am I Doing Wrong?

Your baby will settle in a Hug-a-Bub if it is firmly tied to make them feel secure. Go back to the instructions and follow carefully, paying particular attention to the pulling of the fabric ties up at the shoulders and where they hang down (this tightens the carrier across your torso). As well, try the Hug-a-Bub again when your baby is fed and rested. And, go for a good walk. Babies get used to Hug-a-Bub quickly and it becomes a soothing and settling technique very quickly. As another option, try the Front Wrap Cross Carry Method, available on this website, or on You Tube, and some older babies might like the "Hip Carry with a Stretchy Wrap" by Wrapping Rachel on You Tube. Any problems not solved here, just give one of us a call. We have staff who are Certified Babywearing Instructors.

Does It Put Pressure On My Baby's Spine Like Other Front Pouches?

In many other 'pouches', a baby sits upright with all their body weight on their soft and developing spine, which may cause compression of the vertebrae. Unlike a front pouch, the Hug-a-Bub does not place your baby's coccyx in a load bearing position. Instead, your baby's weight is drawn in towards your torso, eliminating pressure on their vertebrae. The Hug-a-Bub has been thoroughly tested and is recommended by Chiropractors, Osteopaths and Physiotherapists. It is endorsed by the Australian Physiotherapy Association.

How Often Should I Wear My Baby?

Around the world, in many countries, babies are carried constantly while their mothers continue about their normal daily routines with no detriment to the baby. They report that it makes their babies happier and their lives easier. Research shows that babies benefit physically, intellectually and emotionally from being held. Let your baby be your guide, he will let you know when he wants up and when he wants down. There is no such thing as holding a baby too much as long as you are both happy to do so.

What Can I Do If My Baby Feels Restricted? If your baby feels restricted, try leaving one or both arms out of the straps at first. Wait until your baby relaxes before using the head support and wherever possible go for a short walk to settle them into it. For older babies try the Koala cuddle (face in, arms free)

How Do I Take My Baby Out? You simply part the front wraps that are over your baby's body, place your hands under their armpits and lift them directly upwards. The baby is always taken out of the Hug-a-Bub before you take it off. The Hug-a-Bub can be left on until the next time you want to put them in again.

Is It Suitable For My Premmie? Please seek medical advice to confirm that the Hug-a-Bub is appropriate for your premature baby.

Up To What Age / Weight Can I Carry My Baby In A Hug-A-Bub? Hug-a-Bub carriers are suitable for from 3.5 kg to 14 kg in weight - if you have a Hug-a-Bub, please check the instructions and product labelling for more information. There is no age restriction. Hug-a-Bub is comfortable for parents and carers because our carrier draws your child's weight into your body rather than dragging from your shoulders. While it is still comfortable to carry a 2 year old child in a Hug-a-Bub it was designed to allow parents to carry smaller infants for longer periods of time. Most infants over the age of 1 and a 1/2 years no longer desire to be carried as much, so wearing periods tend to be shorter and less frequent. While the Hug-a-Bub is most useful from birth until around 1 year, it remains comfortable for use beyond this age. Keep your Hug-a-Bub handy for the times when your older child may be teething, unwell and clingy, or has had an injury and is wanting to be held. You will be amazed how comfortable it can be even with a 3 year old.

What Kind Of Head Support Does It Offer? Hug-a-Bub supports a baby's head against your body in the same way as your hand cradles their head when you are carrying them close. Most carriers do not support the head but simply stop it from being able to drop backwards. The Newbie Love® from Hug-A-Bub features a soft head support built-in to the wrap. The other Hug-a-Bub products offer support for newborn or sleeping baby's head and neck using the soft, wide shoulder wraps.

Is A Hug-A-Bub Washable? The Hug-a-Bub® is made from 100% organic cotton and can be treated in the same way you would a high quality T-shirt. It can be thrown in the wash and dryer on a cool setting. Colours will fade less when dried out of direct sunlight.

Will The Hug-A-Bub Fade? Hug-a-Bub® fabrics are colourfast and can be washed in the washing machine as mentioned above. However with all 100% cotton t-shirt fabrics, fading will occur on darker colours from the sun and daylight. To achieve a higher fade resistant cloth, it would be necessary to use synthetic fibres. However, we believe that it is more important to have natural fibres against your baby's skin that it is to have a fabric that will fade less. We hope you agree. If fading is not desirable for you, we suggest you select a lighter colour where fading will be considerably less.

Does Hug-A-Bub Meet Safety Standards? There are no official safety standards currently applicable to baby carriers or slings in Australia or New Zealand at this time. Hug-a-Bub has passed the strict standards testing for carriers sold into the U.S. and Europe. It is endorsed by the Australian Physiotherapy Association, and named in the IDHI Hip Dysplaia Institute as a hip healthy carrier. It is applauded by physiotherapists, childcare professionals, midwives, occupational therapists and is used in special care nurseries in hospitals. When worn correctly, in accordance with the instructions, a baby cannot fall out of a Hug-a-Bub and there are no clips and buckles to break, pinch or chafe babies' sensitive skin.

Isn't It Too Hot In Summer? On hot days most of us do not relish the idea of having a hot sweaty baby wrapped to our body, but the Hug-a-Bub is like any cool cotton, breathable and comfortable even in summer. The fabric is no different to a T-shirt. It is light, natural, breathes and can be adjusted to cover less of your body and allow for air flow. During hot summer months you may find you use your Hug-a-Bub more frequently indoors, in the mornings and evenings. We recommend the wearing of cool, natural fibre clothing for both you and your baby. Try the Lightweight Hug-a-Bub which has the lighter weight of organic cotton, or try the Front Wrap Cross Carry method, and open up the fabric over the baby's body to help cool baby.