For every sling sold, Rockin’ Baby (one of our partner brands) donates a sling to a mother in need, making it easier for mothers to care for their baby while continuing to gather food and water for their families. Check out this guest post from Rockin’ Baby owner Kathryn Wiley.
As a mother, I value being able to have my children close. I put my role as mother first, and I believe that is what drives Rockin’ Baby to its success. For almost eight years and through five children I have come to love my role as mother above all. My husband and I chose to adopt before we tried to have any children biologically, and I remember thinking then about what it meant to become a mother. What kind was I going to be? I had no idea, but I knew that I didn’t want to read a ton of books or articles to learn. Rather, I wanted to follow my instincts of how to be a mother.
My instinctive desire for closeness led me on a search for different child carrying methods. I did not know anyone who had “worn” his or her baby, but it seemed so natural and so right. In my research online, I came across a Rockin’ Baby Sling. I received my first sling for my oldest son, Abel, as it was the only gift I requested for my baby shower. I took it with me to Kazakhstan, and loved the feeling of attachment that I received from wearing my son in a sling. Seven months later, I welcomed Cyrus into our family by birth, and wore both he and Abel as often as I could. I was the biggest advocate Rockin’ Baby had, because I felt beautiful and close to my children!
My husband saw how the sling calmed our babies, so he decided to try it out early on. Each of our children have a special sling, all of which I have retired one by one into special keepsake boxes. The first four have one sling, but now that I own the company, my fifth child, Aspen, has about ten! It is such a treat for me!
When I hear that some kids aren’t “sling babies,” it is difficult for me to understand. All of my kids loved it! My daughter, Sabina, came home from Kazakhstan when she was 19 months old. The sling was critical over the first several months, as I believe it helped her distinguish who her mother was during such a confusing period of time.
In August of 2010, I received an e-mail that changed my life. Rockin’ Baby was for sale! The Los Angeles-based company was ready for someone to breathe new life into it. Thrilled, I inquired immediately! In just six short months, I found myself the new owner. I could not wait to bring more mamas and papas closer to their babies. The TOM’s shoes and ONE-FOR-ONE business model had always inspired me, but I didn’t see how I could fit that business model into my newly acquired business. As soon as I knew I was going to purchase Rockin’ Baby, I began to see a connection in Haiti. Even though they have African roots in Haiti, they do not wear their babies in slings. With Haiti having the highest infant mortality rate in the Western Hemisphere, I knew there was something that Rockin’ Baby could do to affect change! I wanted to use Rockin’ Baby as a vehicle for change, and Haiti was where I began.
After partnering with different organizations, I took my first giving trip to Haiti in August of 2011 to actualize my Mother to Mother movement. It was amazing! To be able to provide slings to women who wanted to keep their babies close and who wanted to breastfeed their children was an experience I will never forget! Rockin’ Baby cannot wait for our next giving trip to Haiti this August where we’ll take thousands of slings down to educate and empower more Haitian women! Whether it is my child or someone else’s child, Rockin’ Baby is making a difference one mother at a time!
Join Roozt and Rockin’ Baby in the Mother to Mother Campaign.
Step 1: Like the Rockin’ Baby Facebook page
Step 2: Post on the Rockin’ Baby Facebook wall – what does “Mother to Mother” mean to you? Response must be 100 words or less.
Step 3: Share your post with your friends! The post with the most likes by midnight PST on Friday, June 8th, will win the sling of their choice!
