About UsWraps:Indigo Cocoons is a home based business located in Perth, Western Australia. The creator, Claire, wore her 2 children in other wraps and loved the convenience and closeness of it. She decided to make her own in response to the first wrap that she bought, made from cotton, which wore out after 3 years of moderate use. It just didn't seem to be value for money, so she set about finding a better fabric and came across hemp. Hemp ticked the boxes, and Indigo Cocoons hasn't looked back since!Some people have asked how we came up with the name Indigo Cocoons. The Cocoon part is for the cosiness, as well as being able to watch your child metamorphasise from tiny baby into preschooler by the time you are done carrying that child. The Indigo is for our indigo vat, for dyeing blues. It is also a mark of recognition and respect of a phenomena called The Indigo Children. Claire and several people in her family, including both children, are known as Indigos. If you are unfamiliar with the term, try http://www.indigochild.com
We only use natural dyes, with some wraps left undyed so you can enjoy the natural beauty of hemp. Using natural dyes continues the artisan tradition, as well as being dynamic, vibrant and so much more interesting than synthetic dyes.Indigo Cocoons use only our own designs, largely inspired by nature. Grasslands of the African Savannah, Moonrise over the Pacific Ocean, Sunrise over the Ocean, Summer Storms in Kalgoorlie, the red earth of the Australian Outback, Sunset, autumn leaves, bare winter branches. There are also designs of whimsy and fun. Your wrap can never be exactly copied due to each dye-lot being slightly different. Your baby is unique, and so should your wrap.Our small clothing range, Nappy/Body cream, and dolls have all evolved from originally not being able to find an exisitng products that suited. However as we made these products the simple joy of making them, and seeing the delight on people faces, young and old, has been inspiration enough to keep producing them. Indigo Cocoons has a strong environmental and social ethics policy, which is uncompromising. We will always seek the most sound, sustainable and gentle method possible. We always aim to empower and enrich our culture and world. We will not use any method to make a profit irrespective of the damage done. This even influences our choice of bank! We are very proudly Australian made and owned.This world of ours is beautiful, and it is a truth that we do not inherit it from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children. Doula ServicesIn 2003 Claire had the great fortune to read a book called 'Babycatcher' by Peggy Vincent. As the title suggests, Peggy was a midwife and obstetric nurse in California from the 1960s to 1990s. The book, a memoir, was a revelation and a profound call. It was that ultimate moment of "That is my calling, that is what I want to do". There were many stops along the way- TAFE and Diploma of Nursing and working in a General Practitioner Clinic as a Practice Nurse; Lactation Education Course; First child, returning to University part time and finally finishing my Bachelor of Nursing one month and one day before the birth of our Second child. As our second childs birth required an emergency caesarean, Claire became an active member of Birthrites: Healing After Caesarean Inc. This not for profit organisation is run by passionate women who really care about supporting womens choices in birthing. Whilst it is a community based support group with the major aim to support women who have had or will have a caesarean birth, Birthrites are asked to present to Student Midwives, Community Midwives, Doula Study Days. We are also involved in advocating womens choices politically where possible. It was through Birthrites that I took a fledgling appreciation of birth, a medical understanding of it, a spiritual recognition of it, and was able to then meld in womens experieinces. Attending the Birthrites stall at the Pregnancy Babies and Childrens Expo every year, meeting mothers, fathers, babies, grandparents, siblings, aunties, friends and more and talking to them about birth, their options, wishes, desires and tools to achieve this, is one of the biggest highlights of the year. Both stories of our childrens births will be uploaded onto this website soon. If you wish to submit your own story please email it to indigococoons@yahoo.com.au What do I think about Birth?Birth is the ultimate Rite of Passage. It is undeniable, it is testing, it is totally unique, and so richly rewarding. It is funky, surreal, magical, indescribable, ecstatic, and individual. You are not the same person as before the birth and this includes fathers and grandparents too!Birth is what you want it to be, and totally out of your hands as well. I believe that birth is more than just the physical 'parturition' of a baby. It is the birth of a mother, father, grandparents, uncles, aunties, and so on throughout our entire community. It is life changing, and a total celebration of Life. The chance to bring a precious being through you into this world is such a gift. I strongly and deeply believe that every mother and father should be supported, respected and honoured in their birthing choices- whatever those choices are. I believe that a Doulas role is to be that support, physically, emotionally, mentally. Doulas also get to share information and knowledge with the parents to help them choose the most appropriate options for them, at that time. What do I think about the Postpartum time?Cosy, loving, sleepy, sleepless, milky, nurturing, tricky, challenging, precious.The postpartum, or Babymoon, time is, in a different way, just a magical and difficult as birthing. No two people have the same experience but there are common themes just the same. Everyone has a challenge, and that challenge is rarely exactly the same. Some women have breastfeeding difficulties, others have sleep issues, some babies have reflux, and some will not be put down at all. Some women must return to work very early, some partners have long parental leave. No matter what the challenge(s) the love the family has for the newborn is immense and pwerful. No matter what difficulties are, or are not, there every family needs support and nurturing too. Thats where a Postpartum Doula can help. Having had 2 children, and 2 very very different postpartum experiences, I understand that families need someone to nurture them too. Even if that nurturing comes in the form of some washing hung out and a cup of tea. Or its sitting down and talking through some issues; giving respectful advice and suggestions where appropriate; being an extra pair of hands and fresh energy. Just as a birth space needs tending and respect, so does the Babymoon. |
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