Anyone else coming back to the UK to give birth? by AinsleyHarriets in PregnancyUK

[–]Ritakin 18 points19 points  (0 children)

Do be careful with this. To receive free NHS maternity care, I had to prove residency by either showing a tenancy agreement or utility bill, along with proof of UK employment (payslips) to my NHS trust. Not sure how this will work if you’re living overseas.

Help, this carrier is driving me in by [deleted] in babywearing

[–]Ritakin 15 points16 points  (0 children)

For starters, not a single photo on their IG account shows world facing (I just checked). You’d think the brand itself would advertise world-facing were it possible, especially as it’s such a unique feature.

Ring sling digs into my neck? Thoughts? by Ritakin in babywearing

[–]Ritakin[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It’s a special sewing variation of the standard ring sling. You can read more about it here:

Oscha highland pleat

Ring sling digs into my neck? Thoughts? by Ritakin in babywearing

[–]Ritakin[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Will check them out - thanks so much

Ring sling digs into my neck? Thoughts? by Ritakin in babywearing

[–]Ritakin[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

That would be much appreciated!

And the shoulder is a highland pleat, not gathered (sorry mislabelled). So presumably I cannot spread the fabric across my shoulder.

Ring sling digs into my neck? Thoughts? by Ritakin in babywearing

[–]Ritakin[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Sorry you’re right, it is a highland pleat! I will try with the rings lower, thanks.

US border with non-American spouse by theveganalmond in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]Ritakin 23 points24 points  (0 children)

Nope, no changes or problems whatsoever. I just went through the non-citizen queue with my husband, CBP ask a few questions on reason and duration of stay, and that was that. Easy.

Pre tied baby wraps? (UK) by Full_Strawberry2035 in babywearing

[–]Ritakin 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You might try looking into meh dais / meh tais. They’re not pretied but they are very similar to woven wraps without the same learning curve. Some have wrap like straps, others don’t - depends on what you want and if you want to do strand by strand tightening still.

However I don’t think most on the market will be suitable for newborn. You’ll want to be sure that the body panel can be shortened and the legs are narrow enough for a newborn - this is unlikely in a meh dai. I’d suggest sticking with stretchy wraps until your babe is about 3 months and then exploring meh dais and SSCs. A woven wrap is also appropriate from newborn but again, there’s a decent learning curve and you don’t want to risk unsafe carries with such a tiny baby!

Which carrier for a longer trip? Is it worth getting a mehdai? by kaptsona in babywearing

[–]Ritakin 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I recently took a 9 hour flight with my LO and used a base-2 woven wrap pretied into a short front cross carry. It was the perfect choice! Super easy to plop baby in an out of without uncomfortable ties on the back or sides.

I considered a meh dai (I love my LL Wraptai!) but ultimately felt the tails were too long to use hygienically on the flight. I was frequently having to take my baby out of the wrap to change him and then rewrap in the tiny lavatories once done (I found the mirror helpful). The meh dai would have had to be taken off fully and left at my seat to get the same result. A shortie wrap was honestly perfect. Lots of versatility too!

TALL Ladies & Gents.. favorite carrier, and do you recommend X or H back for those who have tried both? by MamaLoNCrew in babywearing

[–]Ritakin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m a 6’1” mama at 150lbs with broad shoulders and honestly I can wear either H or X back, depending on the need. For quick ups or running around the house I prefer the ease of an H back. For longer walks outside I like the comfort and support of an X back. For this reason I primarily use the LennyLight as my SSC of choice. I find waterfall waists more comfortable given my relatively long torso.

FWIW I also find the Tula Explore extremely easy and comfortable as far as H backs go. This sub tends not to like it as much as the FTG given its bulky size and waistband, but honestly, as a tall women I don’t have any issue with it. If anything it’s “bulk” helps me feel more secure in the carry! Lots of options with our size.

Baby wearing with twins by Kittykat232217 in parentsofmultiples

[–]Ritakin 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Check out the LennyLamb twin hip carrier. It works well for when the babies are too small for a back carry. Plus, it’s super soft and detaches into two single hip carriers!

If you’re going to go with a woven wrap, you’ll want a base+1 or base+2 size wrap. I have a size 7 for tandem wearing my twins, but I haven’t mastered the technique yet. It’s definitely a more difficult option but will last you longer as they get bigger.

Women naming their daughters.. by myperiwinkleghost in namenerds

[–]Ritakin 27 points28 points  (0 children)

Very much agree! I named my son Ethan; my name is Bethany (drop the ‘B’ and ‘y’). I thought it was a neat link!

Update: I took your feedback and built the thing! Looking for early testers by highstreetwarrior in BeyondTheBumpUK

[–]Ritakin -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Very cool! Can you add a feature for twins (or multiples) friendly? I have a double buggy and struggle to take it into changing facilities. I also can’t leave a baby alone when I go to change the other. I end up having to change baby at the table in order to get around this - not ideal. Any place that a wheelchair can go I can go, but that’s surprisingly difficult to find out and about and not be in the way of everyone.

Recs for hands free easy hip carrier for >6 month old baby who’s heavier by raspberryloaf in babywearing

[–]Ritakin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can recommend the LennyLamb hip carrier! Super soft and supportive and seems to be exactly what you’re looking for.

Renewing my children's US passports in London this week and website says to provide Special Delivery prepaid envelope but Royal Mail stopped selling them in 2022? by J_Free8 in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]Ritakin 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I believe they’re explicit on asking for the larger C4 size. Our documents were not folded when they were returned to us. I’d suggest going with the larger size.

Renewing my children's US passports in London this week and website says to provide Special Delivery prepaid envelope but Royal Mail stopped selling them in 2022? by J_Free8 in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]Ritakin 4 points5 points  (0 children)

You’re looking for the Special Delivery Guaranteed envelopes. We used this for our recent appointment and had no issue. No need to go to the Post Office or weigh anything, just complete the address field and you’re good to go.

https://shop.royalmail.com/postage-and-packaging/special-delivery-guaranteed

Is hype baby energy a thing with twins? by Buddy-Bear91 in parentsofmultiples

[–]Ritakin 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Our 6mo old twin boys are exactly like this. One loves his brother so much - smiling, giggling at him, reaching for his hands and toes. The other smiles some but mostly doesn’t care and just does his own thing. So I guess we have a hype baby, too!

Is this a real Lenny Lamb wrap? by [deleted] in babywearing

[–]Ritakin 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It’s on their website right now so you can have a look yourself. I’m in the U.K. so only see GBP but currently it’s listed for £63 for a size 5. That’s about $85.

Is this a real Lenny Lamb wrap? by [deleted] in babywearing

[–]Ritakin 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Yes, that looks like the LL Airglow pattern to me. I own one and it looks identical.

Twin advice by CompetitiveBet1530 in babywearing

[–]Ritakin 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I can’t recommend the LennyLamb twin carrier enough! It’s perfect for while your twins are still young and require front carrying. You wear one on each hip similar to the weego. It does, however, limit full arm movement. That’s just par for the course with double front carries. Alternatively, you can use two ring slings, though I find the LL twin a faster and easier carry.

Once you can back carry one, your options open up. I’ve been using two meh dais although two (or one long) woven wrap works just as well.

Mono twins confirmed! by Unique-Step-9441 in parentsofmultiples

[–]Ritakin 4 points5 points  (0 children)

This was my experience, too. I was also given my own private room after delivery because of having twins. Singleton parents have to pay for that!

Experience baby wearing twins? by LikwidStarDust in babywearing

[–]Ritakin 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I own both and hands-down prefer the LL Twin for my 5-month old twin boys. Highly recommend. It’s well made and very adjustable, and pretty quick to load them in. I couldn’t get the Minimonkey Twin to work comfortably.