Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander poeples are advised that this article contain images and names of people now passed.

Skin cloaks were often the main items of clothing worn by Aboriginal people throughout south-eastern and western Australia as these temperate zones were much cooler than the northern parts of Australia. They were worn for warmth and rain protection, used as baby carriers, coverings at night and for burial. Cloaks were also used in many other ceremonial and spiritual settings such as initiation ceremonies, marriages, graduations, baby naming, and connection to country. Cloaks were highly treasured and told stories of belonging, community and spirituality, 

The cloaks were made from the skins of possums, kangaroos, wallabies, and other fur bearing animals.  Possum skin was commonly used on the south-eastern side of the Australia and in some areas of the south-western side, in  south-east Queensland to Tasmania and across to the south-western areas of Western Australia. Brush tail possums were the species most commonly used for possum skin cloaks.  Possum fur was prized as the fibres are hollow and the fur has excellent thermal properties to keep the wearer  warm or cool and the fur doesn’t freeze.

The process to make the cloaks were complex, labour intensive, and often time consuming with some variations in how they were made across the regions.  The cloaks  and sewn together with kangaroo sinew, and were often coloured with ochre.  In Australia’s south-east, Aboriginal children were birthed into a small possum skin cloak, made of four or five possum skins that were stitched together. Added skins and designs would shape the cloak over a lifetime and become a burial cloak upon death. Cloaks could comprise fifty or more skins. 

In New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia the skins were shaped into square pelts and then sewn together. In Western Australia the skin’s used were mainly kangaroo and the whole skin was sewn together with another leaving the tail to hang at the bottom of the cloak. The cloaks from Western Australia are called Buka or Boka.

With time, a cloak became more than an item of clothing. Designs were incised into the leathery side of the skin depicting symbols important to the wearer and their clan group and each combination was unique to an individual.  Designs could include naturalistic figures, cross hatching, wavy lines, diamonds, zig zags and other geometric patterns. Each family had their own design which helped to identify who the owner was.  Symbols marking important events or milestones such as initiatory rites of passage made the cloak a marker of identity and a visual biography.

With the introduction of European style clothing and with the annual issuing of blankets from the Crown in 1814 the manufacture and use of skin cloaks began to cease.  Some Aboriginal women adapted the blankets for use as a baby carrier.  However, the issuing of these blankets to the Aboriginal community  caused them to suffer more from the cold, and respiratory illnesses as they did not provide the same waterproof qualities and warmth as the skin cloaks.  

Early photo of mother with two children, Adelaide, South Australia, 1860s-70s.

Photo credit: Bernard Goode. (Ididj Australia) ​

There are more photos of mother from the Golburn region (Victoria) wearing their babies here - ​https://www.facebook.com/groups/1630898903860281/posts/3731087850508032/

If you have any more photos or information about babywearing with skin cloaks that you would like to share, send me a message and I'll add it to this post (or leave a comment below).

Sources and Further Reading:
https://www.facebook.com/NGVMelbourne/posts/for-many-people-around-the-world-this-week-might-have-been-their-first-time-seei/952647460231878/

​https://museumsvictoria.com.au/article/the-timeless-and-living-art-of-possum-skin-cloaks/

​https://netsvictoria.org.au/artist/possum-skin-cloak-story/

​https://aiatsis.gov.au/explore/possum-skin-cloak

https://australian.museum/learn/first-nations/possum-skin-cloaks-then-and-now/

https://www.facebook.com/ididjaustralia/photos

​https://www.southernnaturalparentingnetwork.org/around-the-world-in-a-baby-carrier/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-peoples-country-kin-and-cloaks

​https://www.abc.net.au/news/deeptime/topic/clothing-and-jewellery/possum-skin-cloaks/

https://waramisydney.org/2020/03/03/update-current-work/ This article contains lots of information about how the cloaks were made plus some historical details.

​https://theconversation.com/what-designers-can-learn-from-aboriginal-possum-skin-cloaks-38655

​https://www.facebook.com/ididjaustralia/

The Sun (Sydney) Sun 14 Oct 1945 Queues must go, bag and baggage

The Cuddleseat was invented by William Arthur Hancock (and Brenda Anderson Hancock is also mentioned in the patent). William Hancock worked at Kingsford Smith Airport, Sydney, as an aircraft technician and during World War II became a test pilot. The carrier took him six months to perfect. He developed the cuddle seat 'to help his wife in carrying their small son. When women began stopping his wife in the street and making envious inquiries about the cuddleseat, he decided to put it into production.' Toodyay Herald, 20 April 1945.

 A US patent (US2411721A) was issued in 1946, and a British patent (GB585378A) in 1947. It is described in the US patent grant as: 'With the prevailing difficulties due to the curtailment of transport, also the necessity for people, particularly women, to go out for essential food purchases and the like, which hitherto were delivered, it has been a tiresome operation for women with young children to cope with the carrying of parcels while holding a baby, and the present invention has been specially devised to meet the urgent need of effectively carrying a child in a comfortable and natural sitting position, without imposing undue strain on the person, and whereby safe control of such child is had while leaving the arms free. By the use of the present invention the weight of the child is distributed evenly about those body parts best suited for the purpose and the limbs are not cramped or restricted in a way to cause discomfort. The device is easily and cheaply manufactured and can be folded away into a small compass when not required for use.'​

​

Source  https://www.instagram.com/p/Bzg0QceAQWz/

Australia war brides with their Cuddleseats pictured above and below.  Above is Mrs. June Liabo of Chicago and her son Paul, nine months  (Acme Newspictures 3/26/46). The photo below shows shows Mrs Jonh McHose who came to California bringing her son Terry and the marketing rights to the Cuddleseat which she intended to popularise with American housewives. (Acme Newspictures San Francisco 1/18/46)

The Cuddleseat became popular quickly. In April 1945 Australian newspapers announced the arrival of the new carrier, including the Toodyay Herald which explained (in an advertorial) that 'Australia's baby-carrier, called the Cuddleseat, is becoming a favourite with American Service personnel as a present for the folks at home. Leading Sydney stores say dozens have already been sent abroad. Production of the cuddleseat began a year ago, and they are now being turned out at the rate of 2,000 a week. Its inventor, Mr. W. Hancock, of Maroubra, gets a fan mail from women who want to thank him for solving the problem of carrying babies and small children on shopping tours and in crowded trams.' (Toodyay Herald, 20 April 1945).  The Cuddleseat was  widely sold in the United States and Europe, as well as Australia.  Sydney Morning Herald, 17 June 1947.)  The carrier was also sold in Canada and New Zealand. One advertisement​ from 1951 claims that 100, 000 had been sold.

Happy Show Visitor - Mr E. Lyne solved a difficult problem with his cuddle -seat and baby Brian was the envy of many children in his 'grandstand' seat.  The Newcastle Sun, Thu 21 Feb 1946, Page 9 KEEN INTEREST IN SHOW RING EVENTS

This advertisement features Mrs Jonh McHose  who brought the Cuddleseat to the US - The box in the ad explains American Mothers Acclaim Cuddleseat "SAN FRANCISCO August 22 - The Cuddleseat Australia's gift to American motherhood, was offered the buying public today in an effort to make the nations babies airborne.  The Cuddleseat resembles a fishing creel, is a canvas sling finished in soothing  pastel colours. Mother may go shopping or persue other tasks requiring two hands or arms while her child dangles at her hip secure and happy"
The Daily Telegraph (Sydney) Thu 5 Sep 1946, Page 21

An American actress photographed wearing a Cuddleseat provided a boost. Kim Hunter (who played Dr Zira in Planet of the Apes) modeled one as she boarded a plane for Hollywood. The photo from the original news story wasn't republished but the newspaper article explains that" The photograph was prominently published in the New York Herald-Tribune, across 3 columns, .and bore the caption: "A special juvenile test at Idlewild airport... The publicity started  a minor mob scene at Gimbel's, the department store that sells cuddle-seats for five dollars (CA2/4/8) each. Gimbel's recently brought the pouches to New York from its San Francisco store, where the idea has taken on after five years of plugging. "

The reporter explains "With Miss Hunter and Sean temporarily unavailable, I got in touch with Robert  Emmett, Sean's father. He was surprised to hear that the cuddle seat originated in Australia, but said: "You can thank the Aussies for me. I felt guilty about sending Kim to the West Coast alone with the baby, so I went shopping to see how I could lighten her burden. One gadget I came across was a papoose-like contraption made of aluminium, but this faced the baby the wrong way and you couldn't tell what he was up to. "The cuddle - seat just filled the bill. I gave it a trial run in Central Park and, aside from feeling like a freak, found it very practical.. It also solved the baby-sitter problem for use, for now we just take Sean along with us wherever we go." Emmett added: "I do think the name *cuddle-seat' is a bit coy, though. Kim and I refer to it as 'the sling'"
The Daily Telegraph (Sydney) Mon 16 Aug 1954 Page 19​

In this interesting article - 'It's A Shoulder Style...' Sister Norma Chancellor (who conducts the feature Modern  Motherhood)  reflects on the populararity of the cuddleseat but emphasises that it is a revival not a new idea "During the war, when Australian mothers adopted carrier-seats for transporting their babies, they revived a custom that is centuries old. 

A FEW years back, a nimble minded airman, the late Mr. W. A. Hancock, equipped Australian mothers with canvas seats attached to shoulder slings, with which to carry their babies. Thus was begun one. of the most popular revivals in nursery history...Today in this country, baby carriers are looked upon, at least by city mothers, as being almost indispensable.  And that is likely to remain the case as long as shortage of domestic help compels mothers to take babies on daily expeditions entailing tram and bus journeys. 

What is more, the use of the Australian carrier has spread overseas. Cuddle-seats have been introduced in the. United States and Europe. New Zealand mothers have also adopted them thankfully, having given up, hope of ever again seeing trains and buses empty enough to take a stroller. I have described the baby-carrier as a revival, and that is what it is in modern communities. It is by no means a new device." The author then gives a brief rundown of some traditional ways of baby carrying around the world.

Norma Chancellor also notes that modern carriers are not as suitable for young babies as traditional ones and was concerned about safety and was even possibly aware of the risks of positional asphyxiation (although she was fine for the use of baby carrier when horse back riding). She goes on to say" The usual type of Australian carrier is suitable only for a child who is able io sit up strongly.

​We, whose job it is to  advise mothers, recognise the practical advantages of carriers in these days of queues and parcel-carrying, but we regard them with some misgiving, because we see so many examples of misuse. An infant's back needs to be supported when he is first able to sit up. So does his head, which is apt to flop about until the muscles are really strong. The risk of harm, if there is no proper support, is increased when baby falls asleep for, of course he then loses all muscular control. The ordinary canvas earlier does 'not give this support, and we do not recommend it for young infants"

 "Fortunately, this limitation has been recognised, and ingenious people have produced improved designs, which, may be more expensive, but are certainly more suitable for the everyday use to which so many carriers are put. Some of the newer types have supporting straps and stiffeners. Some are shaped, with high sides and foot rests. One I saw recently has a frame of light metal, and can be adjusted to carry baby in various positions from seated bolt upright to lying supine as in a cradle. It even has a hood, like that of a tiny pram, to give  shelter from the weather"

The author prefers this latter baby carrier invention (rather suggesting than any of traditional ones she praised earlier which arguably would be a lot more practical and easier to create amongst a time of shortages). The carrier looks like a portable bassinet with two canvas straps which rest over each shoulder "For travel on horseback,the infant's arms are also wrapped in the "cradle" for protection in the case of a fall. This carrier was invented by Mrs. A. C. Moores, made by her husband to her design."

She also shows the common attitude of that era that babywearing is for really only for practical reasons rather than for soothing or bonding "Maybe we'll return to a time when primitive methods of baby transport will not be necessary - when mothers will enjoy the convenience adequate transport, home-delivered commodities, and reliable inexpensive domestic help. But the golden age looks to be a long way round that corner, so mothers are plodding along, aided by their Australian versions of transportation  systems almost as old as motherhood itself."
The Syndey Morning Herald Tue 24 Jun 1947 Page 11 

The Cuddleseat was not universally popular, as seem in this article from the South Western Times (West Australia).  The writer bemoans  "Dear friends,--I have noticed that Bunbury mothers cling tenaciously to prams and strollers as conveyances for their young off-springs, and have evidently scorned methods of baby transport, so popular in other States.

I am referring to the various styles of "cuddle-seats," that are used so extensively now, for carrying babies.
When Australian airman Mr. W. Hancock invented his canvas shoulder style baby seat, he started something which swept throughout the world, and now baby carriers in various ingenious styles are looked upon by city mothers as being almost indispensable.

Of course, the comparatively uncrowded Bunbury streets, and the obliging and ever helpful 'bus drivers here, do not make baby carriers an essential, but I am surprised that I have not seen even one." South Western Times (Bunbury, WA) Thu 24 Jul 1947, page 6

​Message to Mothers Cuddleseat Advertisement - The Daily Telegraph (Sydney) Thu 8 Nov 1945 Page 6 

 Once the war conditions that had made this carrier so essential to many mothers eased so did the sales. Arthur Hancock died in 1947 at the age of 39. The carrier he invented continued in popularity but it didn't last. From what I could find large ads for the Cuddleseat are rare after the early 50sand the carrier has ceased production by 1960. Although the carriers were occasionally being used in this era still as seen in the photo below of Australian tourists taking holiday snaps in front of the town hall in Munich in 1960.  It is still an intriguing piece of forgotten baby carrier history.  Do you have any memories or family photos of the Cuddleseat or the other new carriers which were invented in this era?  I would love to hear from you.

 Below is a selection of some of my favourite Cuddleseat ads. There were many! See the links below to view even more.

These advertisements proclaim the practicality of carrying your baby while still being stylish (the carrier will not rumple your clothes and comes in attractive colours to match your outfits!)  You can protect your baby from rain, wind, and cold by wearing baby under your coat. Scientifically desginged so you can carry baby with a minimum of effort and strain, supporting baby in the correct posture. hands free (and approved by the Australia Mothercraft Society). You can get your shopping done and healthier, happier babies because of the "less handling" that will result! It was the modern thing to do.

There are ads for mini Cuddleseats so kids could wear their dolls and be just like Mum.  Cuddleseats were advertised as a great Christmas or Mothers day gift.   

The ad below explains the importance of bringing a Cuddleseat along to enable you to enjoy your first post war Christmas holiday. The Daily Telegraph (Sydney) Thu 6 Dec 1945 Page 19

The Cuddleseat will help you with your shopping and winter outings and even allow you to hold an umbrella if it rains.  You can wear the sling under your coat to protect baby from the cold and wind too.

Another ad extolling the convenience of the Cuddleseat for holidays and outings. You will have and easier day  'free from strain and aching muscles"

Some mothers day advertising from 1951. 100, 000 mothers cant be wrong! 

The Sydney Morning Herald Mon 7 May Page 7 (above)

This Christmas ad also shows off a cute mini cuddleseat for little ones to carry their dolls!

Some more Christmas advertising hightlighting why mums should get a Cuddleseat for Christmas.

Department stores adding their own branding to the Cuddleseat ads. These ads often mention that carrying your baby will make your shopping experience more convenient and pleasant.

The Advertiser (Adelaide) Thu 18 Jan 1945

The Sun (Sydney) Thu 10 May 1945 Page 7

The Newcastle Sun (NSW) Thu 14 Sep 1944 Page 4

Sunday Mail (Brisbane) Sun 23 Dec 1945

​https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/items/1455194
​https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1397733/cuddleseat-baby-sling-hancock-william-arthur/
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/148635351
​https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/1007129

Some new research has shown the positive effects of the close contact between infants and caregivers while babywearing, especially for vulnerable babies
The study focuses on coregulation which is the process by which the parents and infants autonomic nervous system influence and synchronize with each other. This system regulates heart rate, breathing and digestion. Parent and infant heart rates were monitored before during and after a babywearing session.

​It was found that babywearing strengthened the correlation between parent and infant heart rate and that babywearing may facilitate emotional communication by providing a a physically close environment which allows the infant and parent to respond readily to each other's emotional cues, especially touch. Babywearing also allows the parent-infant dyad to handle mental stressors such as pain and anxiety more easily by promoting a calming emotional state. The research article can be found here https://doi.org/10.1016/j.infbeh.2024.101996

Did you know there was a mini babywearing boom is Australia and New Zealand in the 1940’s? World War II caused a materials shortage and pram production fell by more than half.  There was also a temporary lack of available home delivery services, so mums didn’t have the option to just stay home. Several styles were invented by enterprising parents including metal framed baby carriers but hip carriers were was the most popular. While these were not as popular as baby carriers are today these designs were successful enough to be sold in department stores and were later exported overseas including to the United Kingdom and the United States.  The United States and the UK also seem to be have been affected by pram and also gasoline shortages to some degree (meaning more mothers had to take public transport). You can read more about these carriers in my previous post Mid Century Baby Carriers and Vintage Baby Carrier Advertisements.  I have come across some more interesting photos (or learnt some more information about some photos I shared before) since I wrote that article so here's an update.  Several are copies of press photos of the time. Captions were were written on the back of the photos although I'm not sure which newspaper they were published in originally.

Ausssie Mama And Son Model ''Cuddle Seat".  Mrs. June Liabo of Chicago, an Australian war bride, and her son Paul, nine months, introduces a new technique in baby carrying in Chicago.  A cloth sling, called a "cuddle seat"in Australia, goes over the mother's shoulder to facillitate carrying a youngster.  Mrs. Liabo is the wife of a former Marine captain and has been in the United States for 18 months (Acme Newspictures 3/26/46)

Like A Papoose, Only Different.  Ingenious idea from Australia that has been welcomed in America is the "Cuddleseat" a nifty contraption that allows a mother the freedom of both hands, and at the same time, supports her baby comfortably at her hip. So popular was the idea among busy housewives engaged in war work in Australia that one Aussie women brought marketing rights with her when she came to America with her Yank husband. She is Mrs John McHose, who demonstrates the Cuddleseat with her son Terry. (Acme Newspictures San Francisco 1/18/46)

-This photo is dated February 3 1943.  Shortage of baby carriages doesn't seem to bother Mrs. Jacobs Karro of Arlingto, Va.,who hit on this novel method of transporting 10-month-old baby David.  Carrying baby on back papoose style, she's shown boarding a streetcar in washington.  (Acme Newspapers Washington Bureau).   It was also published in another newspaper with a similar caption.

This mum is also using a cradle board to carry her baby (photo taken on 18 March 1945).  Two of these photos were on ebay but with different captions (perhaps from two different newspapers)

Here are some intersting photos I have found covering this era.

Danish mother carrying her baby on her back in a metal framed seat in 1953.
Mothers have always found ingenious ways to carry their babies. Metal straps though – ouch!
I have come across quite a few photos of this kind of carrier and they look strikingly similar to car seats of the era so I suspect that is exactly what they are.
​
The caption of the press photo explains – "Papoose Caboose -  Copenhagen: In a modern version of an old American Indian fashion, the mother carriers her 'papoose' in a seat strapped to her back.  Troublesome prams, which are always in the way in stores and subways, are unnecessary when the housewife shoulders her baby burden this way' Credit (United Press Photo) 11/25/53 

Complimentary baby carriers were provided by Tesco in  1970s, so mothers wouldn't have to leave their babies unattended.


"A Tesco spokesman said that the bid to best baby snatchers would cost £8000. Housewives Shirley Veritu and Christine Probert tried out the sling in a North London branch on Thursday (14-2-74) and found just one snag. They couldn't see what the little rascals were getting up to behind their backs."

This initiative doesn't seem to have taken off, though. Do you like this idea?

Photo: Trinity Mirror, February 1974

These photos are from a much earlier eara when traditional babywearing was more common.

This photo depicts two traveler women selling their wares while baby wearing (New Forest 1910)

These next two photo show babywearing using traditional carriers in New Zealand from around the same era. Babywearing in Ohinemutu in New Zealand, 1908. I don't have a source for the second image which is possibly a postcard. 

​So cozy! This photo of an Inuit mother and child was taken on King Island Alaska between 1915 and 1925.

Linen (flax) is one of the most sustainable fibres that can be used for ring slings. Flax requires minimal water and pesticides and will grow in poor quality soils. Between the textile and food industries every part of the plant is used with nothing going to waste.
​
Linen can be both lightweight and strong, and is great at absorbing moisture without holding bacteria, so is perfect for summer babywearing. The moisture wicking properties of linen will help you and baby to feel cooler on hot day. Linen softens up beautifully with use.

Linen colours pictured - graphite, nimbus, ice mint, natural and truffle.

Do not use fabric softener or bleach products - or detergents which include them.  Also avoid detergent with optical brighteners.

Unthread the ring sling for washing.  You can slip a sock around the rings so they do not knock about in the washing machine.  Wash on delicate cycle on cold with a liquid detergent. 

Hang dry and iron while still slightly damp, this is the easiest way to minimize wrinkles in your ring sling (although linen will always have a tendancy to wrinkle, I think this just adds to the beauty of this verstatile fabric) 

A linen ring slings will naturally get softer as you wash and wear it but to hurry it along you can steam iron, tumble in the dryer with tennis balls on air dry, run it back and forth through the rings, or sleep with it for a few days, leave it in a hot car, or sit on it. You can also braid your ring sling (but don't store long term like this to avoid permacreasing your linen). There is a great tutorial about how to do that here ​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L26Nqfr3g7c

Baby carriers were not commonly used in Western countries throughout most of the 20th Century. There was however a small and short lived revival of babywearing in the 1940's led by a shortage of new prams (caused by World War II). Quite a few brands of baby carriers suddenly appeared.  The Cuddleseat invented in Australia (by a retired test pilot) was successful enough to export to the US and the UK. These  small brands didn't last beyond the 1950's but left behind some interesting advertisements.

The ads encourage mums to babywear for the same reasons they do today, although easier queueing is a benefit not often mentioned now.  Using a baby carrier was the 'modern' and scientific way and as a nice bonus it would not wrinkle your dress.   One ad pointed out that using a carrier was like having your own private car. The Cuddleseat claimed to carry your babies weight evenly and could be used up to 2 years.  Using a baby carrier was seen as a great way to navigate public transport and for shopping, and left you with hands free to carry your parcels and handbag.  The ads were proud to proud to point out that the carriers were light, strong, easily adjustable and washable, and of course stylish, with several colour options available.

Cuddleseat advertisement  November 1953 (The Nursey World - UK)

1950's

1947

1947

Cuddleseats were not the only baby carrier around although maybe the most popular judging by the number of ads compared to the other styles.  There was also the Margaret Shaw carrier pictured below (previously named the Women's Weekly Carrier as it was fist available to buy through that magazine by mail order).  There was also the Cuddle-Bye plus a few other similar carriers which I haven't been able to find newspaper ads for but you can read more about them in my article Mid Cenury Baby Carriers and Vintage Baby Carriers

A hip seat style baby carrier (not sure it was ever comercially made).
Pix. Vol. 11 No. 17 (24 April 1943)

Tip: Wear a breastfeeding singlet/tank top under you t shirt and then you can pull up your shirt from the bottom. This is also really great for cooler weather.  Remember to always return your baby to an upright position and adjust your carrier after you have finished feeding.

Below is a video showing how to breastfeed a newborn in a ring sling.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RvgjJm0ruo
A video with an older baby
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UN8Eono1rlg&list=PL9hKPtJid7hSa2h_FVbkSPriC-20QvO2t&index=2
Some more tips and how to switch sides.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLJLFQnUCGY

I made a whale meh dai over 9 years ago.  It was one of my favourites, made from a Didymos Eisblau which is a gorgeous cotton, wool and silk blend.

Now that my youngest child is 10 it seemed a shame to have it lying around unused and why buy new fabric to make a bag when there is lovely fabric that could be repurposed? I made a bag for my sisters birthday a few years ago (it was the first bag I made) and she was very happy with it so I decided to make another for myself. The pattern I used is the Shine on Sling Bag by Little Moo Designs. The bag has a ring closure on the strap and a zipper pocket inside.   

This is the first time I have made a bag with wrap fabric and the fabric is quite thick so next time I think I'll change some of the interfacing as it made the seams quite bulky. I lined it in some dark blue starry fabric.  I had to piece the feature pocket as there wasn't enough fabric in the hood to fit, but I quite like the effect.  I also had to add some extra fabric for the other crossover front pocket as there wasn't quite enough fabric in the carrier. Overall I am quite pleased with it.  It's sturdy and the shoulder strap is quite cushy so will be great for carrying my library books. I'm glad this carrier has a new lease of life (which is white I love about upcycling).

This carrier has gone on lost of adventures with us including to Anakie fairy park and strawberry picking!

And now it will accompany me on new adventures as a bag.

I came across a vintage baby carrier on ebay called the Maral which led me to discover an interesting bit of babywearing history.  This carrier was patented in the 1969 in New Zealand and was part of a revival of interest in babywearing that occured in the late 1960's. Baby carriers were especially popular among Le Leche League members. 

Marilyn Campbell in 1969 ran Maral with her husband Alistair and also organised the first formal La Leche League meeting in upper Hutt. 

Diane Hildreth "Yes Maral. When I was with Parents Centre Upper Hutt we promoted them in our magazines. I had one for my son Iain when he was a baby. They were fantastic. You could wear them back and front, adjust the straps and they provided head support which others on the market did not. I could do the veges for tea, vacuum, do the washing, all while I had in safely close to me." (Facebook comment from You know you grew up in Upper Hutt, Zealand when you remember.........' on the 29/30 September 2017

Christine Oliver "All of my 4 babies were carried in a bright yellow one of these in the 1980s. I offered to sell them in Perth WA as I had so many queries about where to purchase but Marilyn was content to keep the business small and local." (Facebook comment Upper Hutt Heritage Facebook page on the 29/30 September

Photo by Wilfred Revelle Jackson 1970

Photo by  Revelle Jackson 1970

Maral baby carrier back and front view.

A different baby carrier from the same era from the Upper Hutt City Library Heritage Collections.  There is not much information about this one,  possibly handmade.

Some parents made their own carriers, the Le Leche League offered a pattern (printed in their magazine)
​https://dunedinbabywearinglibrary.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/may-tielllphoto.jpg

Do you have any memories of the Maral baby carriers or of babywearing in the 1960's or 1970's in New Zealand?

Sources:
https://dunedinbabywearinglibrary.wordpress.com/background
This is a comprehensive article covering the history of babywearing in New Zealand.
https://uhcl.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/21615
https://uhcl.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/2273?keywords=marilyn%20cambpell&type=all&highlights=WyJtYXJpbHluIiwiY2FtcGJlbGwiXQ==&lsk=0d1c146c0e7a22f218341709c97a0a8c
​​https://uhcl.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/9425?keywords=campbell%20baby%20carrier&highlights=eyIwIjoiY2FtcGJlbGwiLCIxIjoiYmFieSIsIjIiOiJjYXJyaWVyLiIsIjQiOiJjYXJyaWVycyIsIjEyIjoiY2FycmllciJ9&lsk=6a7a7743138d923d210d814d8a2f7f53

There are severeal carrier styles available.  Which one is right for you?

A meh dai has four long straps and a rectangular shaped body panel. This carrier style was inspired by traditional Chinese baby carriers. It is a very versatile carrier and can be worn on front, back, and even on your hip.

A meh dai is is supportive for long periods of carrying. This carrier style will  fit a fairly large age range so it's great if you have both a baby and a toddler. The relatively unstructured nature of the fabric panel means it is easy to modify through small adjustments. This carrier style is also great for sharing  between different sized wearers. 

The shoulder straps can be tied in different ways to vary how weight is distrubuted on your shoulders  and you can wear the waistband at your waist or at the top of your hip bones (where ever is most comfortable for you). You also can spread the shoulder straps over baby's bum for added support if desired. There are severeal different shoulder strap styles to choose from. Your can read about the different styles here. 

Most meh dais are reversible so you can potentially get two different looks in one.  

Meh dais have good airflow due to open the open sides so can be a good summer option.

To adjust your meh dai for a perfect fit you can roll the botton to make the carrier shorter or make it narrower by cinching the botton with a ribbon.  Built in adjustments (an optional extra) make this even more convenient.  The sides of the panel cinch down with a drawstring and the waist is sewn in a channel making it easy to cinch.  There is a velcro closure to make sure the panel stays in the right spot when fully extended and when not in use the velcro is covered by a piece of fleece so it won't pull on you carrier or clothing.  The waistband is quilted which offers great support without being bulky.  The waist can be be worn apron or non apron style (see this article for more information).

Meh dai's do take a little longer to put on than a full buckle carrier but not by much.  You will get very quick at putting your baby in with a  bit of practice.

Wraps vary in thickness so some wrap conversion meh dais can be somewhat bulky to carry around if the wrap it's made from is quite thick, but this is easily solved by bringing a bag if you have and up and down toddler, or you can tie the carrier up into a handy bundle with carry handle (see this article for instructions).  

Some people are concerned that long strap tails are at risk of getting dirty in muddy weather. However I found I could almost always find somewhere dry to tie the carrier on (and if not they are easy to wash).  Alternatively there are clever solutions like tucking the tails into your pockets or braiding the staps to shorten them (or even partly pre tying your carrier). You can find some more tips here.

A meh dai is easy to learn to use and while it's fun to explore fancy finishes with your straps you don't need to do this to enjoy your carrier. The basic carries are quick to tie and comfortable

A small advantage of the meh dai over the half buckle that it is a little quicker and easier to roll the waist to shorten the carrier (with a half buckle you have to take the buckles off and rethread them to do this otherwise they will be upside down). Your can also tie your waist straps though the shoulder straps for a waist free high back carry.  

A half buckle  is a hybrid baby carrier that combines the ease of a buckle carrier with the comfort and versatility of a wrap.  It is the same basic design as the meh dai but with a buckle instead of a tie waist.
A half buckle can be used in the same ways as a meh dai and feels very similar to wear.  The advantages are that it is a bit quicker to take off (and you will never accidentally untie the waist straps instead of the shoulder straps!) and the buckle can help you tie the waist a bit more firmly, which is useful when you prefer your waistband to sit at a particular spot.  It is also slightly less bulky without the long fabric waist straps.

A reverse half buckle has buckled shoulder straps and a tie waist (or ring waist).  Quick to put on and folds up fairly small so is a great carrier to have in your bag just in case.  Also great if you don't like the feel of a buckled waistband but want the convenience of buckled shoulder straps. Some people like the look and comfort of spreading the wide waist strap over their stomach. 

Pictured below is a revese half buckle with ring waist.

The poadegi is a traditional baby carrier used in Korea. The western version has a narrower blanket but can be used in a similar way.  Similar carriers are also found across South East Asia (eg the nyia used by the Hmong or the bei bei from China).  A podaegi has two long straps which are sewn horizontaly and a long blanket body panel.  It is similar in use to a meh dai without the bottom straps and with the added advantage of being able to be used for torso carries.

​A podaegi is the most versatile of the carrier styles and one size truly does fit all.  Where you tie the straps determines the height of the carrier so your baby will not grow out of the podaegi.  You can wear this carrier as a torso carrier or use the straps for shoulder support.  There are many ways to tie (you can use any carry that you would in a woven baby wrap as long as it is a carry where baby sits in the centre of the wrap).  You can wear your little one on your front, back, or hip.  Similar to a woven wrap you don't need a hood but you can add one if you prefer, or a headrest. Podaegis like meh dai's and half buckles are great for sharing between different sized wearers. There are only two straps to deal with so can be very quick to tie on. Fairly compact when folded so easy to carry around. 

A ring sling is a long piece of fabric, usually around 2m long with a pair of sling rings sewn in.  It is based on traditional tied on shawls or lengths of fabric used as carriers all over the world (for example the rebozo found in Mexico). 

Ring slings are great for newborns and small babies as it is very easy to get a customised and snug fit.  Ring slings are also great for sharing between different sized wearers. There is a small learning curve to get used to positioning baby and tightening the sling but soon it will feel like second nature.  Most ring slings I make are wrap conversions but I also offer linen ring slings. Ring slings made of linen can help to keep your baby cool in summer.  Linen is a very strong fibre so the fabric can be thinner than other fabrics typically used for ring slings, but will still hold your baby comfortably and safety.  This makes them perfect for hot weather and their lighter weight makes them very easy to adjust for beginners.  The only disadvantage is that if you have a heavy toddler you make prefer a thicker double layer linen sling or a wrap conversion for more cushiness on your shoulder.  Alternatively using a heavy weight linen instead does make quite a cushy toddler sling but you then lose the advantages of being hot weather friendly somewhat (contact me if you would like that option)

​A wrap conversion is made from a woven baby wrap cut to length.  If your wrap is a size 5 (4.2m) the wrap can be split into two ring slings (great for sharing with a  friend). 

Since ring slings are a one shouldered carrier it can be a bit tiring to carrier heavy toddlers for long periods of time but they are great for situations where your toddler is up and down a lot. A ring sling allows your toddler to rest tired legs on a long walk, or get a little bit of connection before going off to play again. They are also great for a quick trip to the shops or for school drop offs and pick ups. I also really liked ring slings for picking my sleeping baby up from their car seat- since they are so quick to put on baby will often just snuggle in a continue their nap. 

A ring sling is the easiest carrier to have on hand for when you need it. It folds up small so is easy to just pop in bag.   

Handy for breastfeeding on the go and the tail can be used as a cover up or sun shade.

Ring slings are great for nosy babies who aren't old enough for a back carry.  A hip carry gives your baby or toddler a good view of the world but they are still able to snuggle in for a bit or rest or sleep if they need to.  
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Woven baby wraps make great ring slings and can be converted into any of the other styles of carriers I make.  Woven baby wraps are specifically woven to carry babies so they have just the right amount of give to mold around your baby and are very strong and hardwearing.  If your wrap is not long enough I can add in some extra fabric to make up the extra length (depending on your chosen carrier style).  Further information about wrap conversions can be found here and if you would like to order your own wrap conversion or custom carrier visit my shop.

What if you are interested in a wrap conversion but don't have a wrap? There are some alternatives to buying a brand new wrap to convert (although that can be a good option if you are love a specific colour or pattern).  Used wraps are fine as long as they are in good condition. It is fairly easy to source a second hand wrap as you can often find a good deal on facebook groups or marketplace or on ebay.  Another alternative is to use Colimacon & Cie.  This is a woven fabric specially made for babywearing produced in France from organic cotton, and comes in a wide range of beautiful colours. I have a small selection in stock but can order in any of the colours. Some wrap companies also produce plain white wraps which can be dyed if prefered.

Linen makes breathable and light carriers and is available in a huge range of colours.  Linen is great for summer and packs up small and will also soften beautifully with with wear and washing.