1.19.2013

Babywearing Mom: SaYa Baby Carrier

For someone who is trying to practice attachment parenting, babywearing is something that you should learn and apply. Based from this site:

"Carrying or babywearing meets a baby's needs for physical contact, affection, security, stimulation, and movement (all of which encourage neurological development) while on the go."

I have already shared with you how much I love my ring sling. It's been a great help for me whenever we go out with Trev. However, when I was reading a parenting forum one day, I found out that some babywearing moms like another baby carrier better than the ring sling. They have good praises with the SaYa Baby Carrier. I got curious about what this baby carrier is. What can it do that the ring sling can't? Is it more comfortable than the ring sling? Will the baby be comfortable when worn in the SaYa? Well, so here I was again, scouring the internet for more reviews simply because I haven't seen anyone wearing a baby in a SaYa nor seen any display in SM North or Trinoma (that's the nearest mall in our place by the way). I found out that it's more expensive than the Next9 Ring Sling, being sold online and in select brick and mortar stores like Babyland, for Ph1400 for the Versatekk Blend (VTB) and Ph900 (or was it Ph950 I think) for the Semi-Stretch Knit (SSK). I have read quite a number of good reviews about it already and have seen some pictures of moms and babies in the SaYa, and they look happy and comfy. Babywearing is not just for the comfort of the babywearer, the baby carrier must be ergonomic for baby too for their optimum comfort and of course to avoid stress or  injury. Of course, no one wants to risk their baby's safety just for their own comfort, right? 

So, I thought, will I get one for us? But where and how? I want to be sure that my baby and I will like it so I wanted to see one personally first before I buy. Then one day, I learned that Mommy Mundo has a clearance sale in Fun Ranch Ortigas, so I decided to check it out. Sadly, the SaYa Baby Carrier was not on sale in any of the particating stores, although Indigobaby brought a sample for customers to have an idea how it  looks like and how to wear it. I checked it out too and so far, I was satisfied. They said they sell it online and didn't bring any for sale at the clearance bazaar. Sad. I checked on the other stores and I happened to stumble upon Momtrepreneur Shop. They said that they have my size in their store in Shangrila. I was so excited. I asked them to reserve it for me and I will pick it up asap. Good thing the bazaar was just in Ortigas and Shangrila was just a short cab ride. I went to Shangrila and checked out my find at their kiosk. I got the SaYa VTB which is Ph1400, quite pricey, right? Yes, but worth it. So, I went home happy with my loot. I got a few stuffs for Trev too that I  bought from the Mommy Mundo Bazaar.

Of course, when I arrived home and found Trev playing, I tried wearing him in, excited lang talaga! Haha. It was also a little tricky at first, quite confusing for a beginner because the two interlocking loops were like puzzle pieces to me, or was it just me. But anyway, I finally figured out how to wear it and put Trev in. And it was indeed so comfortable. Trev was happy and comfy too. He kept hugging me and putting his cheek on my chest like he wanted to doze off na. I knew it, he would love the SaYa! 

Although, the package came with a manual, I found the manual a tiny bit hard to comprehend (or was it just me again). The SaYa is a little tricky to put on at first so I read a few blogs for instructions on how to wear it fast and easy. Then I came across The Painter's Wife's blog and read her posts here and here. Her instructions are very comprehensive, I learned how to put on the SaYa easily. And like what she said in her blog, "with confidence and conviction", I am now able to wear my son using the SaYa baby carrier. Credits to her for sharing the very comprehensive instructions! Super like! :-)

Here's our first attempt with the SaYa carrier. Baby and mommy are happy! :-)


While watching hubby play in their bowling tournament. My baby dozed off already. Look at how comfy he is. :-)




Pagbigyan niyo na ako in posting this, I'm a fan of Miss Jenny Ong kasi and I regularly visit her blogs too. So, I was so happy to finally see these pictures taken by her husband and displayed at SM North Edsa. That's Miss Jenny Ong and her son, Baby Erik, in the background. :-)


Handsfree! :-)

I love the SaYa Baby Carrier! It made going out easy, and sometimes going to the mall with only Trev and me possible! You know how difficult it is to go somewhere like the mall, alone with a heavy and wriggly baby in tow. But yes, I can go to the mall with Trev basta I carry him in the SaYa. This, I can do better than with the ring sling (not that I can't do it with the ring sling, I could too. It's just that for me, using the SaYa when going to the mall or anywhere else for that matter, alone with Trev is much safer). And so, we're both maSaYa! There were even times when I had to go to my dental appointment in the afternoon on a weekday, that I had to bring Trev for obvious reasons, nobody's going to take care of him, haha! So I have to bring him along, of course with the help of the SaYa. So, with a bag on my back and Trev in front of me, we can travel from our home to SM North Edsa, walk towards Trinoma, then walk towards MRT North, ride the train until MRT Ortigas, then walk again from MRT Ortigas until Robinson's Galleria (whew! ang layo ng dentist ko, hay!). It's fairly easy when you have the SaYa carrier though. :-) Hubby just picks us up from his work after my dental check up. Well, Trev is a growing boy so he's getting heavier each day so, yes, that travel gives me a little back and shoulder pains here and there, of course, I wouldn't deny that. But the pain is more tolerable compared to when I am only carrying Trev with my bare arms, di ba?  And much safer for Trev too, if I may add. I couldn't have done that if I wasn't wearing him.

SaYa is also very versatile like the ring sling. I sometimes use it as a cover while breastfeeding Trev on my lap. I could also nurse Trev while wearing him in it. At first, I didn't know I could do that because Trev was like 10 months old when I started using the SaYa and I thought, what the heck, how am I supposed to nurse Trev while wearing him in the SaYa? He's so big to reach and nurse. I also can't do the pod position on him anymore simply because he's no longer a newborn and he would no longer fit in that position. But recently, I discovered that I can do it pala using the Yakap position. I just lower the sleeves to the fullest and pull the cross part of the seat just under my baby's bum and viola, Trev is lowered but still safe and comfy to nurse. Too bad, I don't have a picture to show you how. Like the ring sling, I could shop or window shop (hehe!) while nursing Trev discreetly in the SaYa. 

Oh, well, I have so many good things to say about the SaYa and the ring sling. I just love them so much and I think it's really a wise decision to buy those. Take note that this is not a paid blog, I just want to share how much goodness and joy these kind of baby carriers bring. I would definitely recommend it. :-)

11 comments :

  1. Hi! May I know your whats the size of your saya Vtb? Thanks! :)

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    1. Hi dear! I'm using a size 0 VTB. :-) Thanks for dropping by.

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  2. hello! I'm planning on buying a baby carrier, and balak ko nga itong SaYa.
    Anong difference nung SSK sa VTB? which one is better?
    I have a 3month old, almost 4months, daughter, at super iyakin niya, gusto laging nakabuhat eh mahirap naman kasi I won't be able to do anything pag ganun, so hopefully this kind of baby carrier will help. My baby is also in exclusive breastfeeding kaya mukhang maganda itong Saya kasi i read na it can be used as a nursing cover.. :)

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    1. hi mommy melda! as far as I know, most moms are using the VTB kasi mas stretchy siya compared with the SSK. SSK kasi is more on cotton kaya less stretchy pero mas cooler ang feeling. Yun namang VTB has the material na parang pang yoga, mas stretchy pero medyo mainit but still comfy naman for you and baby. :-)

      ang namention sa akin before when i bought my SaYa, if maliit pa si baby, okay lang yung SSK pero if medyo malaki na siya, mas okay daw yung VTB. pero since i wanted to use the SaYa nang mas matagal, I opted din talaga for the VTB para sulit. :-)

      very ergonomic siya, me thinks. comfy and safe, too. my baby and i can go malling kahit kami lang dalawa basta naka-SaYa siya. handsfree talaga!

      yep, i use it as a nursing cover, too. effective!

      it's really up to you, mommy, what you feel like using. pero i guess both naman are very good products, kahit SSK or VTB. :-)

      thanks for visiting my blog!

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  3. hello! I'm planning on buying a baby carrier, and balak ko nga itong SaYa.
    Anong difference nung SSK sa VTB? which one is better?
    I have a 3month old, almost 4months, daughter, at super iyakin niya, gusto laging nakabuhat eh mahirap naman kasi I won't be able to do anything pag ganun, so hopefully this kind of baby carrier will help. My baby is also in exclusive breastfeeding kaya mukhang maganda itong Saya kasi i read na it can be used as a nursing cover.. :)

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  4. Hi! Glad I found your blog.. I'm soon to be new mom :) May I ask where did you buy your saya? :)

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    1. Hi, sis! Firstly, congrats on being a soon to be mommy! Welcome to the club! Teehee! Anyway, I got mine from Momtrepreneur Shop when they still had a kiosk/booth at Shangrila EDSA. As far as I know, they have already closed that store but their online store is still open. There are a lot of online stores that sell the SaYa, sis. But if you prefer brick and mortar stores, I think Babyland has it, too. Just that I'm not sure if they have all the available size and designs. If you want online, I've seen Mayumi and Me, Indigo Baby, Momtrepreneur Shop, etc, selling it. Search their site on FB and pretty much you'll find them. :-)

      Good luck, sis! Happy baby wearing and have a safe delivery! :-)

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    2. And oh, thanks so much for dropping by! Appreciate it! :-)

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  5. Mommy, do you have a post on how to wear your baby to breastfeed na nakaupo? I want to buy a Saya kasi but I want to know first kung kaya ni baby na magbreastfeed. EBF kasi yung 6 month old baby ko eh. Thank you!

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  6. mommy, do you have a post on how to wear your baby na nakabreastfeeding position na paupo? im planning to buy a saya but want to find out first how to do it. ebf kasi 6 month old baby ko eh. thanks in advance.

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  7. @Jamiepauljorgie: Hi sis! Aww, I'm so sorry, wala po ako mapakitang sample sa'yo. Sadly, wala akong picture nung time na ginagawa ko yun. Huhu. :-(

    But when my little boy was still around 10 months old (he's 29 months now), ganito gawa ko pag breastfeed ko siya ng paupo siya: I just lower the sleeves of the SaYa to the fullest (maximize ko talaga yung tela sa shoulders area, walang tirang crumple), so todo siya talaga and covered yung arms ko til elbow, and pull the cross part of the seat just under my baby's bum downwards para bumaba siya til my breast level (stretchable kasi ang VTB kaya madali lang siya i-pull), for him to reach and nurse, and viola, my son is lowered but still safe and comfy to nurse. At first, medyo mahirap because big na baby ko that time and ang magiging itsura niyo is mababa talaga si baby while wearing and nursing him, but it's doable especially if di pa kalakihan si baby. :-) Although, frankly, I didn't do it all the time kasi lumalaki na si baby ko, and kahit ipull ko siya pababa, minsan di na abot ang breast, haha! So I preferred using the ring sling when I want to babywear and breastfeed him at the same time. :-)

    I am not sure if there are other techniques though to nurse a bigger baby while wearing him in the SaYa. Sana meron so you could try it, too. :-)

    At 6 months, I guess you and your baby can still do it. :-)

    Goodluck, sis. And thanks for visiting!

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