About Us » My Babywearing Journey

When I had my first baby I bought a hug-a-bub, and I loved it. Until he was about 6 months old, and then I just used my arms to lug him around, or took out the pusher, which i didn’t really like. We went overseas when i was pregnant with no. 2, and my husband carried our then 17 month old in a frame backpack. It was fantastic not to have a pram, we could easily get through airports, markets, onto buses and trains. But i couldn’t use the backpack, it was way too bulky and heavy.

Then when K was 4 months old i tried on an ergo, and my life was transformed. I used it all the time, mostly for my little bubs but also for my toddler. It was comfortable enough, until I was pregnant again, and my husband didn’t like it at all. So I went online to find some other option and I bought my first mei tai, which was great on my front but not so good on my back.

Then on mothers day I was given my maya ring sling, and i was hooked. I used it daily throughout the rest of my pregnancy, and because i loved it tried other things. I bought a woven wrap, and I could do comfortable back carries again. Then I bought a maya-tie that both my husband and myself could use.

So my stash grew, and by December 2009, when my daughter was born, I had over a dozen different options for carrying my children. some I love, some my mother can use, some are loved by my husband most. TINOKI is about sharing the love with as many people in Australia as we can. I dream of seeing the streets of Melbourne filled with babies riding on their grownups.

Gabrielle