Picara Baby Carriers | FAQs about Picara Baby Carriers

FAQs and Information

About Our Company TOP
Picara Baby Carriers was created by Heather Pierini, a single mother who was searching for a comfortable, stylish and affordable carrier along with a way to make a living. After trying on carrier after carrier and feeling squished, uncomfortable or just fuddy duddy, Heather decided to try her hand at making her own. Over the last 5 years Picara Baby Carriers has evolved from it's parent company, MaMaMade Products, and become a vibrant, growing source for wholesale baby carriers.

Picara Slings
Our slings are made from the finest quality natural fabrics with heavy-duty aluminum rings from Slingrings.com for added peace of mind and security.

Picara Mei Tais
Our mei tais are fashioned after a traditional asian baby carrier with cushioned shoulder straps, super soft brushed twill body and a fashion fabric frontpiece.

Picara Wraps
Our baby wraps are a unique rib knit cotton that stretches widthwise, but not lengthwise to eliminate sagging common with knit wraps. This is a stylish, economical baby carrier option and certainly the snuggliest newborn carrier around.

Contact Information TOP

Mailing Address:	Picara Baby Carriers P.O. Box 3613 Turlock, CA 95381
Email:	info@picarababycarriers.com
Telephone:	1-415-948-3131 Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time

Privacy Policy TOP
Very simply, we do NOT sell or share our customer's private or billing information with anyone. You will only be contacted with confirmation of your order and shipping details (unless you elect to receive email from us regarding sales or special promotions). Payment privacy is also governed by the privacy policy of PayPal, our payment processing provider. You may go to PayPal.com to read their privacy policy.

What is your return policy? TOP
You may return your order for a refund or exchange within 30 days of receipt. We kindly request that your return be in unused condition. If you are dissatisfied with your carrier please contact us so we can refund, exchange or help you find a way to love your carrier.

You may return any item to:
MaMaMade Products/Picara Baby
P.O. Box 3613
Turlock, CA 95381

How should I wash my Picara Baby Carrier? TOP
All products should be tried on for comfort and size and then washed before extended use. Fabric processing chemicals can cause rashes in sensitive individuals. While we make every effort to insure that products are as hypoallergenic as possible, it is not possible to eliminate all chemical residue in conventionally processed fabrics. If you have purchased an organic carrier the finishes might have strong smells and are generally best washed before extended use.

Please wash all products in COLD water.

You may dry baby wraps in the dryer on low.
You may dry ring slings in the dryer on low or hang dry.
You will have best results hang drying mei tais. The straps tend to become very wrinkled if put in the dryer.

Some products that were made in late 2006 have a fabric that is now discontinued. The natural canvas had irregular shrinkage. If you have a carrier that shrunk in odd ways after washing, please return it to us and we will replace it at no charge.

How long will it take to receive my order? TOP
Your order of instock items will ship within 2 business days via Priority Mail.

Your order of custom or exclusive items will require a 4 week lead time.

Why should I wear my baby in a carrier? TOP
We at MaMaMade believe in the principles of Attachment Parenting. Attachment Parenting simply means following your child's cues: Offering your child the natural, gentle childhood he needs to grow into a peaceful loving adult. Here is a great article with 10 reasons why wearing your baby is healthy and developmentally beneficial: 10 Reasons to Wear Your Baby.

Other Important Attachment Parenting Resources:
http://www.attachmentparenting.org
http://www.askdrsears.com
http://www.drjaygordon.com

How comfortable are your carriers? TOP
Each carrier has it's own unique advantages and disadvantages.

If you have neck or shoulder problems, try the baby wrap or mei tai.
If you want a quick on and off carrier, try the ring sling.
If you want a sturdy all purpose carrier, try the ring sling and mei tai.
If you want the softest carrier, try the baby wrap.

Please feel free to email us with questions about the different types of carriers.

Is it safe to wear my baby? TOP
MaMaMade Products Baby Carriers are very safe and secure when used properly. It is up to you to follow instructions and read the safety and warnings. Use your common sense when using the carrier and it will be safe. Always keep one hand on your baby until you are comfortable using the carrier. Remember, baby's body may extend beyond yours when moving around door frames, hot items, sharp corners, and so on. Don't use a carrier while cooking. Hold your baby when bending or moving quickly. Don't forget there are no straps holding your baby in. We do not recommend using the carrier with an uncooperative child.

What is the appropriate age range for baby carrier use? TOP
Babies from newborn to about 35 pounds can be carried safely and comfortably in your carrier. Much will depend on the activity level of your child. The carriers can be worn in a number of different ways to accommodate children of various ages. See our instructions page for information on ways to carry children at different ages.

Links We Recommend TOP
http://www.mothering.com
http://www.askdrsears.com
http://www.drjaygordon.com
http://www.sleepingbaby.net (free do it yourself carrier instructions)
http://www.peaceathome.org
http://www.nospank.net
http://www.positivediscipline.com
http://www.thechildhealthsite.com
http://www.carseat.org
http://www.thebreastcancersite.com
http://www.thehungersite.com
http://www.therainforestsite.com
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com
http://www.freecycle.org
http://www.craigslist.org
http://www.abcfree.com

Held and Happy Baby Program TOP
MaMaMade Products is teaming up with non profit service agencies to provide carriers for at risk parents.

AT RISK PARENTS GET A HELPING HAND
Stressed out parents to be part of pilot baby carrier program

Turlock, CA, Dec 4, 2006:
    In January, 2007 groups of at risk parents in battered women’s shelters and parent resource centers will receive a helping hand, almost literally. These parents will attend a class offering instruction on how to use a variety of baby carriers and at the end of the class, they will get to go shopping and pick out their own brand new carrier.
    Parenting is a hard job, made more difficult by the additional challenges of poverty, addiction, abuse, homelessness and many other factors. Parents are usually supported by extended family, friends, religious community and neighbors. When these support systems are not present or are unavailable, parents can become extraordinarily stressed by the everyday challenges of parenting, leading to loss of feelings of competence as parents, less feelings of attachment to the children, and in the worst situations, possibility of abuse.
    MaMaMade Products has come up with a unique solution to this problem by offering at risk parents a free baby carrier and instruction. Partnering with local non profits, including the Margaree Mason Center in Fresno, CA and Parent Resource Center in Modesto, CA, MaMaMade Products is providing a program that educates parents about how to use the carriers, helps them pick a carrier and then gifts them with a new carrier.
    Babies that are held often are happier, cry less often, gain weight faster and are generally more securely attached to their caregivers. Baby carriers allow parents to tend to older children, attend to household chores, and be more productive, while keeping baby close and entertained. Carriers also allow the parent and child to bond more closely by allowing a lot of face to face contact missing with strollers or other baby gear. Research has shown that caregivers who are in contact with babies for long periods of time actually have higher levels of prolactin and oxytocin in their bodies, both of which help parents be more caregiving and attentive. While these things are important for all parents, they are critically important for parents whose support systems are missing or parents who are at risk for addiction and abuse.
    MaMaMade Products is a parent owned company founded in 2002 to support parent and child attachment. Their website, http://www.MaMaMadeProducts.com offers a variety of parent designed and produced items from traditional blankets to organic, fair trade baby carriers.

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If you would like more information or to schedule an interview with Heather Pierini please call MaMaMade Products at (415) 948-3131 or email press@mamamadeproducts.com.

MaMaMade Products
Held and Happy Baby Program

Objective:
To foster close, positive attachment between parents and children under age 2 by providing baby carriers and eduction to parents in challenging situations who are at risk for burnout, abuse, or attachment problems.

Overview:
Parenting is a hard job, made more difficult by the additional challenges of poverty, addiction, abuse, homelessness and many other factors. Parents are usually supported by extended family, friends, religious community and neighbors. When these support systems are not present or are unavailable, parents can become extraordinarily stressed by the everyday challenges of parenting, leading to loss of feelings of competence as parents, less feelings of attachment to the children, and in the worst situations, possibility of abuse.
As a company, MaMaMade Products is committed to improving the lives of children everywhere by giving parents the tools to parent more conveniently and effectively. Our carriers foster close attachment, make caregiving easier and even help raise the levels of oxytocin in the parent’s body, helping the parent feel more like cuddling.

The Program:
The Held and Happy program will accept applications from agencies providing services to parents at risk. Parents at risk are defined as parents with children under the age of 2 who do not have adequate support systems in place, teenage parents, parents in recovery for drug or alcohol addictions, parents in homeless shelters or temporary housing, parents in battered womens shelters. The agency must complete an application listing the number of parents and children participating, the requested dates of service and any follow up parenting education that will be provided as an addition to the Held and Happy Program.
The program will serve up to 10 parents per class, with classes being limited by agency space constraints and funding.

The Held and Happy class will have the following outline:
1. How holding baby helps
    A. Baby
    B. Parent
2. What carriers are available and how they work
3. Participants try on carriers, find which one fits their needs
4. In depth instruction on how to use carrier to build confidence.
5.   Participant is gifted with the new carrier of their choice!

How you can help:

For the Held and Happy Program to reach a wider population, we need community support. MaMaMade Products is happy to provide the educational services associated with the Held and Happy Program for free to any participating agency. You can sponsor a free carrier for a family in need for only $20.00. Your sponsorship is directly applied to MaMaMade Products to pay for the Held and Happy Program.

$25.00      Provides 1 carrier
$45.00     Provides 2 carriers
$85.00     Provides 4 carriers
$100.00     Provides 6 carriers

To sponsor a complete program for a specific agency or to sponsor a complete class, please contact us for more information.

All carriers are rated for use from birth-30 lbs allowing for one carrier to be used for up to 3 years.

MaMaMade Products
Held and Happy Program
Agency Application

Agency Name:
Address:
City, State, ZIP
Agency Contact Person:
Phone:
Email:

Type of agency, non profit, description of how we can help your program

How many parents do you anticipate serving with the Held and Happy Program?

What parenting education do you currently offer?

What follow up support can you offer for the baby carriers?

Cost per participant is $25 paid through community donations. If the agency and MaMaMade Products cannot solicit enough donations to cover the cost, exceptions can be made to offer the program once it has been scheduled. No class will be cancelled solely for lack of funding.

Thank you for your interest in MaMaMade Product’s Held and Happy Program.

Heather Pierini
MaMaMade Products
415-948-3131