McKinley Kid

The new version of the Scootababy will be available for pre-order soon.

Scootababy has undergone a makeover and we are so excited to be getting the new line later this summer. There are some differences between the original Scootababy™ and new design. Here are the major changes:

1. Added stretchy binding on the edges of the fleece shoulder - makes for an even better fit
   
2. Removed the binding on the shoulder straps to help them slide more easily through the buckles
3. The seat back is approx 1-1.5 inch taller  by popular demand
   
4. Waist belt webbing is approximately 2 inches longer to accomodate plus-sized babywearers
   
5. The construction of the seat is now three vertical panels, versus three horizontal pieces which makes it fit better and it’s easier to get baby deeply seated in the seat pouch
   

Other quality details that aren’t visible include interior reinforcement for the leg openings and an extra structural layer under the center print panel.  The lining will be the same in all of the new Scootababy carriers and is plush quilted microfiber.  Scootababy worked with a children’s clothing designer to bring consumers a gorgeous variety of prints.  I saw the new line at the Babywearing Conference and just totally fell in love.

Action Baby Carriers and Beco Butterfly carriers and in-stock and on the way, respectively.

The new Action Pack from Active Mom Carriers are amazingly comfortable and one of the new fabrics (the prettiest one) is named after me! My order is placed and I should receive them around the 15th of May. There are a variety of prints from which to choose and several solids as well.

The classic Freehand mei tai is back after being purchased by TogetherBe, the maker of Peekaru vests. The fabrics are gorgeous and this is such a wonderful newborn mei tai with the padding for baby’s head at the top of the panel. My order for these is placed and they will ship on May 15th.

May Beco Butterflys are coming soon . The release date forthe new prints and preorders is May 15th and they start shipping May 29th. This is my favorite set of prints for the Butterfly yet and I can’t wait until these prints become public!

The March/April shipment of Beco Butterflys is on it’s way to Anchorage!

These go fast, so place your order ASAP - turnaround time to you will be a matter of minutes if you have pre-paid for your Butterfly.

Ethan, Ava, and Cameron are returning prints, while Jack, Olivia, Isabella, Espresso, and Metro Black are new for Spring 2008.

We’ll be in booth #40, smack dab in the middle, at the Egan Center on Saturday, May 3rd, from 10-4. All of our merchandise will be on display, including the new Hiking MOM tai. You’ll have the ability to order anything that is out of stock; purchases can be made with credit card, check, or cash.

Here’s a little more about the Alaska Baby Fair:

http://www.anchorage.net/events.html?eventid=21152

In doing some research for my master’s degree in educational technology, I read an interesting study connecting infants worn as children to later success at finding friends on social networking sites. To summarize, Facebook, LinkedIn, and MySpace all conducted polls of their members born in the 1980’s (beginning of the significant popularity of BabyBjorn, Snuggli, frame packs, etc.) as to whether they were worn by their parents as infants and young children. The social networking sites then correlated the data with poll participant’s numer of “friends” online.

The results were that those with more than 100 friends were 75% more likely to have been worn in a baby carrier than their peers. The data overall showed significant ties between babywearing and success in social networking. A researcher at Harvard (the alma mater of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, worn as a child in Dobbs Ferry, NY, himself) believes that the social interactions to which a worn child is exposed when attached to the parent’s back, hip, or chest make him/her far more adept at relating to others. Research Robert Cynowa stated, “Babies who are worn in carriers learn how to relate better to others. Their relationships then grow even further through social networking sites. It’s really no wonder that we see the popularity of social networking grow as these Gen Y kids who were worn come of age. They are naturals at relating to others. Babywearing really does amazing things and we are going to look at the significant correlation between MENSA admission and babywearing next.”

Pretty fascintating stuff. I’m curious as to whether baby carriers getting better will show further increases in intelligence and social interactions. I know the newer carriers based on ancient designs are more comfortable but I sure hope they help Cormac be more successful later in life.

Our Friday open houses at McKinley kid are awesome! This is a great opportunity to shop ’til you drop and try on actual baby carriers before you buy them. Most of what we sell is actually here but a few items are available just for pre-order/special order.

For those of you in the Anchorage area, don’t forget about the Friday open houses! Look for pictures of the set-up (and Cormac playing) on my blog later today. It’s a great chance to come and “shop” and to get hands-on help with the carriers we have in stock.

We have THE cutest little baby and toddler hats now, made by V. Happy Hats, local Anchorage knitters. Most of these are the perfect size for an older baby so stock-up or buy ahead for the fall if you are in a warm climate!

Just for us!
new carriers JUST for McKinley Kid

I’m so excited about what’s coming this spring! We have our own, custom fabric, line of Kozy carriers AND a very special MOM tai in a design and fabrics especially for the needs of hikers. The outdoorsy MOM tais will make their debut at the baby show in Anchorage in May and the Kozy carriers at the Chicago Babywearing Conference. In the meantime, check out our in-stock MOM tais and Kozys!

SO much on sale
for a little spring cleaning…

We’re excited to give you a great deal. Visit the website (link to the sale section above) for great deals on pouches, mei tais, hip carriers, wraps, Baby Legs, and more. These are top quality carriers, not seconds or returns.