Product review – Ring sling by Soul Slings

This post is meant for someone as new to baby wearing as me and want to carry their baby in something that is easy to wear and safe to use for their baby.

Baby wearing is an age-old concept that has been used by labourers and farmers. It probably skipped a couple of generations to make a come back now and how. 

Source

There’s a school of thought that says a baby should not be held for too long – but I personally don’t resonate with that. I feel a baby needs the warmth and reassurance by touch if it’s mother and father, especially in the first 3 months of life, just look at this

This review is based on my very first ring sling that came to me as a gift by a dear friend Vaishnavi on my baby shower. She introduced us to this amazing world of baby wearing, that we now love so much. My sweet lime jacquard wrap conversion ring sling is by Soul Slings, a Bangalore based company who have some very good practices like employing local artisans and having a low environmental impact. The price is very affordable, starting at just Rs.1500 (less than $23!). They do ship worldwide so yay!

The fabric is 28 inches wide and 83 inches long and it’s made of 100% cotton in jacquard, which I love. The design is fab, it is gender neutral and has bright, bold colors. I don’t think they currently stock this particular print, so their pieces are almost like limited time only!

I had to hand wash before first use, which is a bit of a task. We once put it this in the washing machine by mistake and it did bleed into some other clothes 😞

A ring sling is super convenient once you get the hang of it. I was very nervous to use it on my new born. I went for a paid session to a Soul representative in Chennai to learn the usage on my then 2 month old. Wish this wasn’t a paid service, but I gained confidence in wearing the baby. We’ve gotten the hang of it slowly by wearing him more often. I can say baby and we have grown to enjoy ourselves in the ring sling, yep that’s Mommy and Daddy!

I find that it is much more airier than a structured carrier but the baby can get quite hot, so make sure they are dressed appropriately. I made the mistake once in Mumbai and carried him in a sleep suit 😰 thinking he would get cold.

Safety is the biggest worry when putting in a new born into a ring sling, as you want to support their neck and whole body thoroughly. My baby is a leg straighter so I was always nervous that he would maneuver outside the seat and fall right through. But with practice, we managed to get the seat secure. It is critical to get the seat right and ensure the neck is supported (until their neck is sturdy enough). The excess fabric or “pallu” hanging down can be used as an additional layer of seat or as additional neck support. There are tons of different positions but I’ve only used the basic snuggle hold or tummy to tummy position.

It’s important to thread the sling well. There’s tons of YouTube videos available. Make sure to practice without baby a few times. Make sure to thread the sling after every use so that your good to go the next time you have a cranky baby.

Another advantage of the ring sling is that you can also nurse in it, and use the extra fabric for cover if needed. I haven’t tried to actively use the sling while feeding yet but I’ll be sure to update the post when I do.

Since mine has major acid reflux issues and his tummy gets pressed on being worn, he’s thrown up a lot of times on being worn. This is not that great, and maybe one of the very few down sides of baby wearing.

Soul ring sling in mommy mixer groups

He loves biting and playing with the aluminium rings, though it isn’t a major problem, I like to cover it with a burp cloth or the excess fabric.

This carrier comes with a cute little pouch, and it’s is super easy to fold and fit in your bag.

We do experience some back pain on wearing for long durations and I think the key is to wear it as long as baby and you are comfortable.

There’s so much room for error when you start off, but like every thing else, start with wearing the baby a few minutes at a time and continue. My cue that I’ve worn it right is if baby is happy and not irritated after being worn.

Ensure you start with the slings high on the shoulder before baby gets in and make sure the fabric at the back is spread out well.
Other than the initial learning curve, I think ring slings are great for baby wearing. I highly recommend this to parents, especially for newborn babies.

What’s your journey been? Share your thoughts below.

Dee

Disclaimer: This review is completely my own based on my own experience. I have in no way been compensated by the company. I’m a novice baby wearing mama, do let me know if I’ve got any of the facts wrong. 

Easy pregnancy guide |Tips on life with a bump

Pregnancy is a wonderful phase in anyone’s life and it should be enjoyed to the fullest. These months are the preparation of a beautiful new life ahead that you never know existed. It is not only a mother’s prerogative to do her best before & during her pregnancy, but also the partner’s duty to ensure the smile on her face never fades away.

Being a first time mom, my baby has completely changed my life and my perspective in life. I’m blessed with a wonderful hugsband who has supported me every step of the way. I’m also grateful to have found a super-strict doctor who helped me reach my ultimate goal.

  Fantastic brand The Spoiled Mama

If you have the slightest itch that you would like to have a baby in the near future, reshuffle your lifestyle choices as soon as possible before you even get pregnant. Be the fittest, healthiest and happiest you can be. The best you can do is to do your best. Here I have penned down some tips on lifestyle choices with a bump:

1.Smile

Keep your days stress free and nights restful with a full nights sleep. We made every weekend a retreat into our beds where we made up for all the sleep we would be loosing once the baby gets here 🙂

Smile! Your baby will smile with you 🙂

Picture credit: RSN8

Hair & Make up: Debra Saniya Waqar

2.Stay active 

An active lifestyle is the key to a healthy life and it is extremely crucial during pregnancy. I worked till 2 days right before my baby was born and I was walking to work every single day! At my 6th month, I enrolled in an amazing yoga class ( Zen Yoga) that not only gave me a new perspective about myself but also gave me a lovely community of friends to interact with. The hugsband and I would also head out on long walks late at night, and this was an excellent stress buster.

This is not the time to start a new fitness regime, make sure you stick to what you know your body and endure. Make sure you don’t stretch more than 70% of your limit. This is an investment to a beautiful delivery and speedy recovery that one must not ignore. It is recommended to take it easy during the first trimester.

Make sure to consult your OBGYN before you start any fitness program.

3. Eat right 

This is probably the most important aspect during pregnancy. I was cooking up until late in my pregnancy and this kept me in control of what and how much I ate. I made sure to include healthy grains, green leafy vegetables and lentils that worked for our appetite. I let go of sugars as much as I could; I really did not want to land up with gestational diabetes, as my father’s side of the family has a strong history of diabetes. Make sure to snack on nuts and berries throughout the day to keep your metabolism up. This is not the time to over indulge in sinful food, unlike how the old adage goes. This is also not the time to go on a diet. Eat right, and eat frequent meals to keep your energy levels up.

Do give yourself a cheat meal once in a while, but try not to over-indulge. And trust me, all the controlled goes for a toss once you deliver – postpartum is when you actually are eating for two!

4. Capture the journey 

Make sure to capture your beautiful moments and places you visited while they were inside. While you are at it, embrace your belly and smile. You will surely miss being pregnant once the little monster gets out! Pen down your journey and when you read them years later, you’ll laugh at every silly symptom which would’ve felt like a mountain at the time.

Capturing memories at my maternity photo shoot with 2 fabulous photographers

5.  Clothing

I managed to stick to my pre pregnancy clothes throughout the first trimester. I then transitioned to looser tees, leggings and loose cardigans to work. By month 5, I went all out and bought very good maternity clothes mainly from ASOS that I wore till the end. Make sure to be comfortable in what you wear. You will need to dump all your heels for a while, it is just to be careful.

6. Read

I was glued on to every single development in the pregnancy and kept abreast with the help of multiple Apps and the handy book my sister gifted – “what to expect when you are expecting”.  What I really missed out is reading about what happens after the baby gets here! But I don’t think any books or apps could have prepared me to face my baby.

7. Spend quality time with your bed. Take care of yourself 

Make the most of your time before the bub gets here. Pile on all the sleep you can get. Take your long baths, I really really miss them now 😦 Get your nails done and a hair cut, maybe. Indulge in some certified pre-natal massages.

8. Build your support system

They say it takes a village to raise a child, and it’s so true. You need all hands on deck at least for the first few years. Build your support system of experienced mothers and other pregnant mothers so that you can gain knowledge from others experiences and share relevant information with your peers as well. The sooner you start, the easier it gets down the road.

9. Nesting

The nesting instinct kicks towards the end of pregnancy for most mothers, and some fathers as well. Roll with it. Make your home a welcoming haven for your soon to arrive bundle of joy. You will have absolutely no time or energy to make the effort once the baby arrives. You will have to depend on the spouse or other friends & family to fetch things for you.

10. Music 🎶

Listen to your favourite music throughout the journey. My baby for sure loves Coldplay! If your mind is calm and happy, so will the baby’s. I also heard a lot of Classical music like Mozart and Beethoven – you will find tons of playlists on YouTube; this is supposed to be very helpful for babies brain development. We managed to go for a Mozart concert in Vienna and this was truly a thrilling experience to have with the bump 🙂

11. Kegel exercices

It really helps to do Kegel (pelvic floor) exercise right from the start; in fact, Kegel exercises are excellent even otherwise – throughout your life! It is extremely helpful in the long run and you will be thanking yourself once you’ve delivered.

12. Moisturise 

Though there are plenty of stretch mark creams available, I feel a simple daily routine of applying moisturiser or oil to your bump, hips, back and legs really goes a long way. I used plain ol’ home – made coconut oil and I highly recommend this.

13. Spend quality time with your partner

Life as you know it is about to change. Get out on regular dates during the pregnancy, and find every reason to celebrate with a fun dinner at home. Cherish the quiet times. We were lucky to have lived in Dubai during the pregnancy and we managed to get out to some exciting places and late night walks in the sultry summer months.

14. Set your intentions right for the birth day

This is something I learnt over time from my previous Yoga training and from Claire, my pre-natal Yoga teacher at Zen Yoga. Set your intentions for the birth day and for your baby. Pregnancy and delivery are overwhelming terms but can be a beautiful experience if you tune your mind well. Labour & Delivery are tough, but are nothing but mind over body experiences that women have been going through since times immortal.

15. Find a suitable OBGYN and hospital

I know many women opt for home births and alternative birthing options but what works for the stereotypical pregnancy is a good OBGYN who will not necessarily be your friend, but will guide you through the right path culminating in a beautiful birthing experience. We found our guide in Dr. Paramjit Luthra at Medcare Hospital, SZR. She is a tough nut and can come across as slightly rude and in-your-face. But this really worked for us, as we did not need a friend who would applaud at every extra piece of cake that I ate but would be a strict goal keeper as she has your ultimate interest  in mind. If she was any more lenient, I would’ve probably gone overboard and probably had a tougher time during labour & delivery.

Read my post on travel tips during pregnancy here.

A new baby is a wonderful addition to any family. Enjoy this beautiful phase, before the madness sets in!

Cheers,

Dee

Disclaimer – this is a blog post based on my own experiences during my pregnancy. Please consider that every body, and every pregnancy is unique and what I’ve mentioned may or may not be applicable to you. This post may contain affiliate links at no additional cost to you

Featured image picture credits: Silvester Clifferd

BBC Good Food Show Dubai, UAE |Paul Hollywood

BBC Good Food Show Dubai

BBC Good Food Show Dubai was a 3 day event held at World Trade Centre, Dubai. From a super theatre that hosted 6 amazing Chefs to a cake design competition to book signing & interaction with the Chefs, the show seems to have been a super success.

This show was sponsored by known brands in the region including Maggi, Teka, Jones the grocer, Lurpak, Starbucks and more! We saw the sponsors with exhibit stands and the guests seem to be quite excited about some exclusive offerings and discounts on the day. The retail area was quite interesting but nothing exciting enough for me to buy!

Good food show Dubai sponsors

Our tickets included entry to the VIP lounge powered by Indigo Living lounge, where we got a beverage and a cosy area to rest at. This seemed like a pure sales tactic from Indigo, and nothing great really. But the furniture display was quite interesting, though I’m not sure influential enough for a customer to buy.

Good food show Dubai

Paul Hollywood, infamous judge on The Great British Bake Off alongside Mary Berry. He enthralled the audience with 2 dishes that he made look easy peasy! But gave some tricks & tips that we could take home. Hope to make the most of the inspiration from the show to my own kitchen soon enough!

P.S. : I have never baked by myself 😀 any more beginners tips are welcome. I always get cold feet when I need to attempt baking and always land up cooking instead

Paul Hollywood at BBC Good Food Show Dubai

Paul Hollywood at Good food show Dubai

Paul Hollywood at Good food show Dubai

Paul Hollywood at Good food show Dubai

The most exciting part of the evening was when we won a free license from MMI, which was quite unbelievable, as I am hardly ever lucky to win at spin-and-wins! The challenging part is to convert it within 10 days with all the required documents within 10 days!!

The cake displays were really cool and the winning cake design by Rowena Gratel was truly deserving, though I could not get the best shot of all the cakes. I really enjoyed the pretty giveaway by Teaforte, the tea is a must try!

Sample by Teaforte.com

Wish I could’ve witnessed the other chefs as well, but it was also exciting to just bump into Chef Atul Kochhar.

To sum it up, I’m glad we could spend a couple of hours here, spending time and interacting with many other foodies !

Me at the Good food show Dubai

#GoodfoodshowDubai

Salalah, Oman

Salalah, Oman

The most important point to consider while traveling anywhere in the middle east is the weather. A couple of days here or there could be a game changer!

The husband and I traveled to Salalah over the Eid holidays in September. We had a brilliant time, but this could’ve been a lot better if we had made it just a couple of weeks earlier – in the Khareef season. It was so sunny that we were exhausted at the end of every day. Best time to visit: July to September.

We ran short of time and could not get our Visas before our travel date. But since we had traveled to Oman just a couple of months ago, we were quite confident we would get Visa on arrival. Check out details on Oman Visa here. We were told By Oman Air (I specify the airline as it important to know!) at Dubai airport that Visa and immigration formalities would be done at Salalah airport. But when we arrived at Muscat, we realized after wasting a lot of time that we had to obtain our visa and clear immigration right there. Every passenger was annoyed and tired, the super late night flights don’t really help! I wish the staff was a bit more organized and capable of handling passengers. They had quite a casual attitude and we had to run to board the flight!

Done with all the negatives, here are a few things I loved about Salalah:

Stay

We decided to stay at a quaint little villa owned by Roy, a Brit expat who has lived in the middle east for over a decade. His wife and toddler were a much-needed dose of family that made us feeling very warm and welcome. The villa was very close to the Hilton.

Roy gave us the real download on Salalah, places to visit, places to miss, must eats, must buys and so much more. He was a friend, without whom the trip could have ended up blah!

F&B

– Food options are quite minimal – ensure you eat & stock up when you can 😉

– The hotels seemed quite over-priced and were not recommended even by local friends as food is quite average for the hefty price paid.

– Salalah Gardens Mall was one of the most civilised places in the city, with a small food court

– There are quite a few good F&B options on 23rd July Street

– Do not miss out on Oasis club, especially if you are over a weekend. This place by Salalah port is frequented by expats who live there and also those who are traveling. They have some very good food, beverages, some fun games like pool. They of course screen football matches all around the year. The outdoor seating is highly recommended!

Al Mughsayil*2

This is the place to be. Al Mughsayil is everything we were looking for – simple, private, beautiful, relaxing time. We happened to go 1 evening and decided we had to go back the next morning. Best time to visit is after 430 PM in the evenings and 6 AM in the morning. The landscape is breathtaking and the area is so peaceful that words and pictures can’t describe enough.

The Frankincense Museum

The Frankincense museum was a highlight of the trip. An amazing journey through the history of Oman and how the civilization came to be. After this, we opted for a buggy ride around the vast archaeological site that housed ancient ruins of the city, the mosque, houses, the palace, schools etc. Just during sunset, we went on a 30 minute water taxi ride around the whole area. Not the most romantic, given the noisy family of 6 whom we were stuck with. But the sights, the smells, the birds, the water still bring a smile on my face.

I picked up some souvenirs here because I wasn’t too sure where else I would find em.

The museum is located in the centre of the city and opens at 3 PM. You could easily spend 3 hours here, so ensure you plan well. 

Don’t forget to enjoy Tender coconut water which is very close to the Museum.

The mountains

We drove endlessly through the mountains and it was a peaceful drive. Not too much action, not too many vehicles. There were some spots with spectacular views. The tomb/ mosque of course had a lot of visitors and we kind of avoided it but went around anyway. I believe the mountains would be a lot more enjoyable during the Khareef season.

Anti-gravity point !

The last but not the least point, the Anti-gravity point. The freakiest, weirdest hour of my life. GPS directed us to the spot without an issue, and as we approached, we figured how famous this place has become – unlike stated in many online reviews. There were about 40 other cars trying to figure out exactly what we were trying to establish. I have no explanation but just a gut feel that is is just an optical illusion and that gravity remains unbeaten.

A few other tips:

– You can easily pick up a SIM card right after you collect your baggage. It is important to have access to GPS, as there are practically no road signs

– I highly recommend renting a car or getting one with a driver, depending on the agenda of your trip. There is no public transport at all, so God help you!

– Salalah airport. What a pain. When we were to depart after our trip, we entered Salalah airport on GPS and off we went! When the arrived at the destination, we realized we are at the old airport that was vacated over a year ago. The new airport is right behind the old one, but it takes over 25 minutes to reach. Again, we almost missed our flight, but I’m glad we had web checked in, so we could kind of get away.

Like every other place, I wish I could have stayed just another day to explore Salalah. But hey, hugsband says we can always go back (In Khareef season of course!)

Happy travels!

Ras Al Khaimah – road trip – weekend getaway from Dubai, UAE

So the husband and I celebrated a very special weekend and we decided to get away from the city in-spite of the heat! One of the emirates that we have unexplored is at 1 hour drive away from Dubai. So we headed out after breakfast on Friday morning and had a lovely drive through Shaikh Mohammed Bin Zayed road (E311) up north through Sharjah, Ajman in to Ras Al Khaimah.

 

We decided to stay over at Al Hamra Residence (Website)which is right next to Waldorf Astoria in southern Ras Al Khaimah neighbourhood of Al Hamra Village. The location is absolutely unbeatable and we were super excited that we managed to find something so conveniently located and right on the beach. The hotel was kind enough to give us a slightly early check-in and also a complimentary upgrade to a 1 bedroom suite! The view was brilliant too – looking out into the beautiful Arabian Gulf. The service was excellent right from the reservation process.

The room was self sufficient with an almost fully functional kitchen, just the cookware was missing so I guess most guests would use this for very basic purposes like we did – to heat up food and to chill your water.

Activities 

There aren’t too many activities to do in the summer months, except to chill by the beach and by the pool. Few guests were still doing some water sports but I don’t think I would’ve enjoyed it under such harsh sun.

F&B options were quite good as the Hilton, Waldorf Astoria and Al Hamra village has a few good options. Al Hamra palace itself has some very exciting bars and restaurants. The breakfast in the hotel was quite good.

I recommend this place to anyone who wishes to get away from the city over the weekend.

Like every other place, I wish I could have stayed just another day to explore RAK. But hey, hugsband says we can always go back! ❤

Traditions – the most beautiful part of Indian culture

Lakshmi Pooja

I’ve always been intrigued by how the word Tradition means such different things to different people. In a country like India with 50,000 gods, your neighbours tradition is irrelevant to you and in some cases, might be the opposite of what you consider. Something significant for the previous generation, might be completely irrelevant in ours. But we still strive to carry forward and take on what ever little we can.

But I think any tradition or ‘ritual’ was at some point developed with some logic. Whatever I see and do today, has been explained by my parents on how it benefits us in this age. And then there are some blind faiths that would have probably been relevant 50 years ago, but may not be any more. Whatever be the case, I think the word tradition is interlinked with ‘respect’. A silent prayer is nothing but bringing all your consciousness together and meditating for those few minutes.

I see so many youngsters who say tradition is not cool. But I find it really cool – to have the resolve to sit on the floor for hours, to put your heart into a small Rangoli, to chant prayers that you would have probably learnt decades ago.

I would like to pass on what ever I have seen during my time here. Let’s pass on whatever we can that will help our next generation understand life in a not-so-obvious way.

Roma|Rome|The Vatican|The most historic city in Italy

When in Rome, do the Romance!

Soak yourself with the beauty of the city. It is hot and crowded, but the art, architecture, theater and music will leave you spell bound. They say Rome wasn’t built in a day – it shouldn’t be seen in one either. I highly recommend a minimum of 3 days including The Vatican. Amid the big city madness, I highly recommend buying a 24 or 28 hr Romapass for all your public transport needs in the city.

The Vatican –

At The Vatican

We did the half day Vatican tour which I highly recommend. Being non-Christians, we had a very faint idea of the significance of the Vatican. Our guide explained details – by timeline, which helped us understand the history of the smallest country in the world. The whole tour lasted 4 hours and we were taken through The Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peters Basilica. We marvelled at the history of Italian artistes that worked hard to preserve Roman culture as we see it today. Every door, every corner is thoughtfully engaging.

Villa Borghese – Not sure if I should even list it here as the closest we got the Villa Borghese was it painfully large gardens. We walked for at least an hour from the closest Metro station and Villa Borghese was still a long way ahead of us so we decided to just ditch seeing the ‘museum’. Though I recommend advance booking for all those who would like to visit. The gardens around the Villa itself is very peaceful and this is a great way to spend a sunny afternoon (not in peak summer though).

Colosseum, Roman Forum – Since we had a Romapass, we could choose to enter 1 location for free and I’m so glad we chose The Colosseum. The line for those with a Romapass was 75 % faster than those without it so I highly recommend this to all. We opted for the audio tour of the Colosseum that helped us understand what a magnificent piece of architecture this is.

At The Colosseum

The Pantheon – The Pantheon is a very interesting structure in a very crowded part of the city. What takes your breath away is the sheer expanse of the single structure. I had read in many forums that one needs to be modestly dressed here as it is an active church, but I saw no one checking or imposing any rule.

Spanish steps – Spanish steps is a fantastic place to visit. A tiring but fun climb to the top, hundreds of tourists and one is obviously reminded of Audery Hepburn & Gregory Peck. Oh I did have my Audery Hepburn moment here.

Piazza Navona – The funnest part of Rome. The husband now dreams of buying a property right in the heart of Piazza Navona as he is equally smitten by this place. The whole festive atmosphere starting early evening makes for a lovely setting to spend a few hours just hanging out. The international travellers, the local youngsters, the old-timers and the entertainers – everyone has a part to play in Piazza Navona!

Get 5 % off this Segaway tour by Viator

Trevi Fountain – I can’t really include this on our list as Trevi Fountain was shut for restoration. But we did do the customary coin throwing over your shoulder. Hopefully, we go back to Rome real soon 🙂

Grazia Italia! Ciao !!

Like every other place, I wish I could have stayed just another day in Roma. But hey, hugsband says we can always go back! ❤

My First post!

So the Oxford Dictionary defines dexterous as: Showing or having skill, especially with the hands

Aesthete. Conversationalist. Culture vulture. 20-something. New wife(or not so new now?).

This is me, Dee.

After years of writing & trashing Drafts, here is my first post. Join me as I explore the world through my Blog.

I intend to pen down my thoughts on daily life as I flow with it – Food, Restaurants, Dubai, Travel, Fitness, Housekeeping…..