ABOUT APAPÁCHAME

WHAT DOES THE NAME MEAN?

"Apapáchame" is a Spanish word that translates roughly in English to, "Pamper Me".

FOUNDED BY A WORK AT HOME MOM (WAHM)
Apapáchame was founded in 2007 by a WAHM named Lourdes Santaballa.

In a “former life”, I was a battered women’s advocate, low income housing property manager, and anti-racism activist.  When I became pregnant, I became very interested in everything related to natural childbirth, breastfeeding, and attachment parenting.

After my daughter was born in 2006, I started wearing baby slings, and everybody asked me where I got them.  I was also looking for a material that was cooler for a tropical climate.  I have always sewed as a hobby, but I took it on myself to search the net and learn how to make safe and affordable slings and find materials that were breathable, affordable, and fashionable.  I joined a number of fabric coops and sling sewing groups and the rest is history.

My husband, the only brother to five sisters, was raised by a single mother, and happens to also be skilled with the sewing machine.  The slings are designed, cut and started by me, but he is my partner and besides working full time outside the home, he often irons and sews the shoulders, or helps me out in general.  This way I am available for MY full time job, which is breastfeeding, raising, and generally caring for my children.  My son was born at home in March of 2008 and I am tandem nursing the newborn and the toddler.

The slings help out at home and on the road too.  I never used the car seat as a carrier and now only occasionally resort to strollers or the grocery cart with my toddler, but if my husband and I are out together, the two babies are always in slings (or the toddler is walking and holding a parent’s hand with the sling ready as a back-up).  I even secure my daughter to an adult chair with the sling when there aren’t infant high chairs available if we go out to eat!

Besides making baby slings, I volunteer for two non profit organizations.  One is a peer networking breastfeeding group, and the other is a humanized birth organization which advocates breastfeeding and attachment parenting and provides specific support to women who want to have a vaginal birth after a caesarean (VBAC).

Sewing is NOT political.  But the seamstress and her interests can be.  I am not partisan by any means, but I believe that baby wearing is a natural extension of my non-violence work and now my advocacy for breastfeeding and attachment parenting.

When you buy my slings, you are supporting my family and a Latina owned business.  This way I can continue to dedicate myself to my family and my volunteer work.

Here's what Lourdes has to say about slings and babywearing:

"As a breastfeeding mother and advocate of attachment parenting, I have always used slings with my baby since she was a newborn. Studies have determined that the use of baby carriers can reduce colic and crying in babies and stimulate their brain development and self-esteem. My purpose in making these slings is to form a small business in which I can share this movement which is so convenient and healthy. At the same time, we can look good and wear a fashionable sling!"

LOCATION
We are located in sunny Dorado, Puerto Rico. However, the internet allows us to reach all end of the Earth!

All slings come with a brochure and user instructions in English, Spanish or both.