The baby wearing concept is pretty simple: Instead of carrying your baby, toddler, child in your arms, you carry them using a comfortable, sling, wrap or ergonomic carrier. It’s a tool that will save your back from back pain and which will provide the little one with the extra cuddles that she so desperately needs. There are tons of benefits related to babywearing and here’s the list with the Top 10 reasons why you should wear your baby in an article that I wrote for Eve.

The Baby Wearing Workshop and the Babywearing Library

On the 21st October 2015 I attended Becky Gauci Maistre’s Baby Wearing workshop. I highly recommend it to every new mum and mum to be! I’ve been babywearing for more than 2 years now and I was positively surprised to see that there were still new things to learn. Most importantly, Becky will help you find the best baby wearing option for you, and teach you how to use it properly and safely.

The workshop consists of 2 parts:

Babywearing theory ( 1 hour)

You will learn all about baby wearing safety and the TICKS rule for safe babywearing (tight, in view at all times, close enough to kiss, keep chin off the chest, supported back), how to take good care of your carrier, the do’s and dont’s of baby wearing including the different baby wearing methods (ring slings, wraps, soft structured carriers) and the ones not recommended.

Babywearing / Sling library ( 1 hour)

You will have the opportunity to try on various ergonomic baby wearing slings and carriers with Becky’s help, including the 5 Ergobaby carrier models (Original, Organic, 360 Ergo, Performance Ventus and Performance Classic) which have been donated to the library by our e-shop, Maltamum Shop, and which come in over 30 designs.

After the workshop, a follow-up email will follow that summarizes the key points covered during the course.

For more information, you can contact treeoflife@gmail.com and join the closed group on Facebook BabyWearing Malta

Becky has reviewed the Ergobaby 360 carrier and you can read her review here.

Who is Becky and how I got to know her

It’s been almost 2 years since I first met Becky. I had just recently became a mum, I was still a bit lost, terrified and upset over my birth experience, and Maltamum was at its infancy. Becky read my blog post with Erik’s birth story – vacuum extraction and reached out to me in private.

Becky was a mum of two young girls at the time, studying hard to complete her Childbirth Educator and Postpartum Doula studies, but still somehow finding the time to help others; she sensed I was distressed, angry and upset over my birth experience.

Becky herself had a traumatic birth experience with her first baby. Since then on, she embarked on a journey of knowledge and discovery, determined to help others avoid such an introduction to parenthood. Following a healing and empowering journey with her second child, she quit her PhD studies in Identity Management and decided to start training instead as a childbirth educator and post-partum doula. Since then on she also had her third child (home birth), became a Baby Wearing Educator and the founder of Baby Wearing Malta.

She also co-founded the Better Birth Coalition, which is now a member of The Positive Birth Movement, and Parenting from the Womb. She is the local chapter leader for Momma Trauma’s Sacred Circle – an international peer-to-peer group set up to assist mothers who have experienced a traumatic birth experience. She is currently beginning to get her ante- and post-natal services of the ground under the umbrella name Tree of Life.

Becky is particularly focused on assisting mothers who have had traumatic birth experiences, require information on birth after traumatic birth, be it natural or repeat caesarean, and raising awareness on how to have positive birth experiences. She also hosts and organizes baby wearing workshops in Malta for beginners and / or advanced baby wearers.

Wish you a lovely day, Liza.

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On the 26th September we had our 2nd Maltamum Party. This time it was more like a casual meet-up and our party was sponsored from Quattro Kids Play Cafe in Buggiba. They gave us the perfect opportunity and location to meet with other mums, enjoy a cup of coffee and a good chat while the kids played in a safe and super clean soft play area.

We were 60+ in total: mums, kids, and a few dads and grandmas. I was afraid that if we had invited more the place would get cramped but it turned out I was totally wrong. We could have easily reached Quattro Kids Cafe full capacity, which is 40 kids and 55 people sitting, without any issues. I’ll keep it in mind for next time

Here are some of the lovely comments I received from you

• A massive thank you and well done smile emoticon our kids really enjoyed it smile emoticon x hope to see you at next one – Michelle Cordina
• Thanks very well organised :)) – Annemarie Brincat
• Well done for a lovely party – Giselle
• It was lovely – Elaine Falzon
• It was lovely! Thanks so much for accepting us at such short notice…the kids loved it – Maria Flores
• We loved it Elisavet Arkolaki, thank you sooo much! – Jade Boye
• Thanks and well done for another well organised party smile emoticon And will definately be going to Quattro again, loved it! Hope to see you again – Amanda Cassar

Should you wish to read a review of our gathering head over to MamaMalta ‘s blog who was there with her little boy.

Don’t forget that as a Maltamum Cardholder you always receive exclusive benefits including a 10% off your bill each time you visit Quattro, for the duration of your membership.

THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING AND FOR YOUR POSITIVE FEEDBACK. TAKE CARE & SEE YOU SOON AGAIN

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There’s a ‪Babywearing‬ ‪workshop‬ organised by Tree of Life which will be held on Wednesday 19th at 9.45, followed by an open sling library session at 11.

The workshop consists of babywearing safety, explanation of the different types of baby wearing and one on one help choosing a babywearing method with trials from the library.

The library session will be 1 hour long and consist of the library being available to try on or compare the various types of babywearing. One on one help will be provided with regards to fitting by the Babywearing Educator Becky Gauci Maistre.

The post Babywearing workshop and carriers library first appeared on Maltamum.

On the 26th April 2015 we hosted our ‘1st Maltamum Party‘ to celebrate 1 year since the launch of the Maltamum Card; the privileges membership card that gives you tons of discounts and offers at local shops for unlimited times for 1 year. The Maltamum Cardholders were the VIPs of the day, entered for free with their families and received extra gifts from sponsors. You can order your Maltamum Card now here!

Thank you goes to all the mums, dads and little ones for coming along. You were all so positive and wonderful – the party couldn’t have been any better! Having received only positive feedback makes me believe you all had a blast

Comments from you lovely ladies <3

‘Very well served today at Funland St J’s We attended the Malta Mum 1st year anniversary party and from start to finish it was so perfectly organised, so much so that I have never in my life seen 70 odd children behave so well. It was amazing. The entertainment by Afterglow was superb (all bar ba ba ‘gray’ sheep LOL) the service by Funland staff second to none. They just couldn’t do enough. Thank you Elisavet Arkolaki, a wonderful morning’ – Patricia Graham on Are you Being served Malta.

‘Thank you for the wonderful party. My daughter has been talking all day about it:)) ‘ – Claire Scicluna

‘I just wanted to pop on and say a huge thank you To Elisavet and everyone who helped with the event today… Me and my children had a great time! Thankyou so much! Jacqui (yogabellies kidz)’ – Jacqui Hughes Cuthel

‘We had a lovely time! We loved meeting the Minion and the nursery rhyme show! Thanks Elisavet <3 ‘ – Lorinda Mamo

‘Well done Liza ‘ – Amanda Poole

‘It was great! Thank you xxx’ – Dudás Annamária

‘Thanks for the pack really happy ‘ – Erika Zammit

‘We had a blast, very well organised and too many gifts! Well done’ – Sarah D’Emanuele

‘Thanks a lot my daughter is really happy ‘ – Lorraine Farrugia

Special thanks also goes to our main sponsors for helping us make this party so successful!

Funland Malta for offering their premises and After Glow Events for the entertainment. Without your excellent services and amazing professional animators it woudn’t have been possible to make this party so successful.

Celebrations: Party Supplies for offering a lovely monster-themed party bag to ALL the kids.

Soap Cafe Malta for spoiling ALL our Maltamum Cardholders with an amazing soap bar and organic body lotion.

Valeria Zammit from Gallery of Vallery for covering the event, taking beautiful portraits of the kids with her digital camera.

Schmiles Malta with their Polaroid camera for capturing memorable moments on a polaroid for all our guests.

Yogabellies Kidz Malta, Eleprint and Bow and Ribbon for offering us numerous vouchers for our guests.

And all the other companies that offered gifts to our guests and which can be seen in full here.

PRINTING PHOTOS

Valeria Zammit from Gallery of Vallery is giving us a superb limited time offer -> you can order 1 picture to print for just 3 Euro or 3 pictures for 10 Euro (size 8×10). This offer expires on 6 May 2015 and you won’t have the chance to order them again. If interested you need to hurry! You can see all the pictures here .

More gifts for free for everyone till stock lasts!

I have a few more goody bags left for mums, including the party bag for kids you can see on this picture from Celebrations Party Supplies. Send me an email on liza@maltamum.com or text me on Facebook to arrange pick up from St. Julian’s in the afternoons or Sliema in the morning.

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Not long to go for the most anticipated event related to comics in Malta! The Malta Comic Con 2014 will be held on the 29th and 30th November at St. James Cavalier from 10am – 6pm / 11am-7pm.

Two action packed days filled with artists panels, discussions, films, workshops, games, tournaments, competitions, cosplay and much more!

The Malta Comic Con is a family oriented event in which children and adults can meet international artists that have a long experience in the Comics’ Industry. These artists have worked for popular labels such as DC, Marvel, Vertigo, 2000AD, Image, Darkhorse etc…

Maltese artists, retailers, international publishing houses and more will be exhibiting their works and selling their products at special prices for the duration of the convention.

The Malta Comic Con is an opportunity to learn more about comics but also to meet new like-minded people and make new friends.

For more details please visit their website : www.maltacomic-con.com

Click here to read more about last year’s event, Malta Comic Con 2013.

The post Malta Comic Con 2014 first appeared on Maltamum.

The Health Promotion Unit, Parent Crafts & Breastfeeding Clinic will be holding a free seminar on Saturday 1st November Meridien St Julians 9,30 am onwards. You need to call the breastfeeding clinic to confirm your space.

There are 2 concurrent seminars, one for expectant couples, and the other for new parents. Other members of the public are also invited, including grandparents! Registration is at 8.30am, seminar starts at 9am. To book, one can call Parentcraft services on 2545 5124/5123, or the Breastfeeding Clinic on 2545 4445.

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After last year’s great success the Mother, Baby & Child fair will again be held at the Hotel Phoenicia on 29^th & 30^th November. This year’s event will, by far, be the largest in Malta dedicated to products for families and expectant parents.The exhibitors range from midwives to banks, natural birth and parenting experts and importers of clothes and other requisites.

Some of the products on show will be available to the Maltese market for the first time ever, making the fair a real crowd-puller. About 60 companies will be taking part exhibiting more than 100 brands.

The range includes children’s furniture, toys and games, clothing and footwear, goods for babies, hygiene products, bedding, gifts and all types of products for expectant and breastfeeding mothers.

Entrance to the fair is free but a minimum donation of €2 per person for the Puttinu Cares Foundation is requested. Puttinu Cares is in fact one of the chosen supporting charities for the 2014 event.

As Kirsten one of the organisers of the fair says: “It is a veritable Aladdin’s cave for all mothers and mothers-to-be—and of course even for their spouses, friends and family who can buy, view and admire the products on show. In addition, there are activities planned throughout the days of the fair with talks, games and food available at all times, promising a really enjoyable and rewarding time.”

A series of highly motivating and interesting talks and workshops is lined up over the weekend of the fair. Anyone wishing to attend is requested to donate a minimum amount to the EB Butterfly Children Foundation. Pre-registration via the fair’s website (www.maltamotherandbabyfair.com) will secure a seat at the talks.

The location is easily accessible, with buses stopping just outside the hotel. For visitors who use private transport, the car park just outside the Phoenicia is very convenient.

The Mother, Baby & Child fair covers many aspects of a child’s life, development and upbringing and is not just a showcase of leading brands and services. It is an opportunity to increase knowledge about what’s on the market and what is best for you and your baby.

The fair organisers are themselves mothers of young children and know how time-saving such an event is. In fact their main idea behind the fair was to fill a gap they felt was missing when they were expecting their own children. The organisers match expertise and products with hundreds of potential customers. It’s a one-stop event for mother, baby and child.

This year’s main sponsors are: Hotel Phoenicia & Canbebe. Other sponsors & supporters include Webbs, Multi Mam, Yellow ink, Kandy Kids, Baby Style, Baby Talk Clothing, Mama Knows, Casapinta Design Group & Plasmon.

The Mother, Baby and Child fair promises to become an annual event that will draw the right crowd over a very well organised weekend.

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Maltamum supports the fair and families in Malta, and will be offering a maltamum card for free  to 3 lucky mums.

The free maltamum cards will be hidden within the VIP goodie bags.

The post Mother, Baby & Child Fair to be held for second year running first appeared on Maltamum.

On the 10th of September 2014, a cultural visit will be held with all proceeds going towards the Malta Community Chest Fund.

Below you can find the program:

08:45 – Meet at San Anton Palace (by main entrance)

09:00 – Bus transfer to Bugibba

09:30 – Visit the Malta Classic Car Museum

11:00 – Visit the Malta National Aquarium

13:00 – Return to San Anton Palace

The tickets are sold at San Anton Palace, Attard and at The Palace, Valletta. Prices: Adults €10, children between 5 and 12 €8, under 5 free. For further information you may phone 2122 6226.

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The Kingfisher Sport Fishing Association(KSFA) committee has decided that after some years of absence, its time to organize once again a fishing activity that is aimed to those children who love this wonderful sport apart from the usual competitions. This will be held at Sliema on Sunday the 31st of August between 7.00am till 10.00am.

Those children participating must be under the age of 16 and must be accompanied by an adult/parent/guardian. It will not be a competition and we expect that everyone participating must be fair. It has been decided that those children under the age of 11 can be helped by their accompanying adult on everything, whilst those from 11 to 16 can only be helped in landing a fish.

Since they need to know the amount of children participating, those interested need to inform someone of the committee by not later than Sunday the 24th of August. Their contacts can be found on ksfamalta.com or by sending an email to info@ksfamalta.com

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Dear all,

My name is Naomi Fenech and I am a postgraduate student in the Department of Sociology at the University of Malta.

I am currently reading for a Masters Degree by research in Sociology and am in the process of conducting the research for my thesis. I am looking for pregnant women over the age of 18 to participate in this research, preferably those giving birth before the end of September.

My research aims to explore the mother’s lived experience of childbirth focusing on issues of power, choice and decision making. The research for this thesis involves face- to- face in- depth interview between pregnant women and myself. One interview is going to take place before birth and the other after birth. No names will appear in the transcript or final report. Those interested kindly inbox me for more information. Your participation in this study is very much appreciated.

Once the evaluation is done and I have received my Masters degree, I will share with you the findings and results of this research.

Contact details: Naomi Fenech, Email: naomi_fenech@hotmail.com

The post Pregnant mums are invited to participate in a research first appeared on Maltamum.