Our Story

My name is Kaz and I’m the owner and designer of the sun protection brand Bambebi.

I live in beautiful sunny Perth, Western Australia, am originally from Ireland, and I’m a proud mum of a funny but crazy four-year-old.

 

How it all began….

One summer’s day I was out in the back garden with my baby girl. It was too hot to put her in clothes and she loved running around in nothing but her nappy. I lathered her in sunscreen, but she was so wriggly I wasn’t sure if I had missed a bit. I couldn’t relax, every 5 minutes I was trying to put more on her because I could feel how intense the sun was on my skin, I literally felt like I was cooking. Neither of us were having a good time, she was screaming because she hated getting sunscreen on, and my anxiety was at an all-time high because I was so worried I had missed a bit. Was sunscreen enough to protect her? I didn’t think so.

I think we stayed outside for 10 minutes when the fear of her burning got too much, and we gave up and went back inside.

I realised that if I was having this problem, I was pretty sure other mums felt the same way. With skin cancer on the rise, and the early years being the most important due to their young, sensitive skin, I knew prevention was much better than cure. Also, I didn’t know that sunscreen wasn’t recommended for babies under 6 months until I became a mum!! I had to find a solution to help families enjoy the outdoor lifestyle, without the stress of worrying about the kids being burnt.

I really wanted something easy to throw over her to protect her, but it had to be light and breathable to keep her cool and prevent her from overheating. She had to be more comfortable in it, than she was being naked.

I spent 18 months sampling different fabrics and finally found bamboo which has the unique quality of being naturally resistant to harmful UV rays. I sent the fabric off to be tested in an independent lab and they came back with a UPF rating well above 50, which means it prevents over 98% of UV rays from reaching their skin. And the great news is you don’t have to reapply!

There is no other natural fibre used for textiles that has this very valuable property, and once I felt how soft it was, I couldn't understand why everything wasn’t made from bamboo. It is amazing…. imagine if cotton and silk had a baby…super luxurious and soft. 

Not only is it lightweight and breathable but it is also moisture wicking, has antibacterial properties, hypoallergenic, and thermo-regulating, meaning it stays cool in summer. The oversized design means there’s plenty of airflow and they’re cute enough to wear from the beach to the café!

Now to come up with a name for my creation…

The name Bambebi comes from a combination of the words "Bamboo" and the Estonian word for baby "beebi", a small tribute to my wonderfully supportive Estonian husband and baby daddy.

I hope you love our ponchos as much as I do, and that they bring you peace of mind, knowing your littles are protected from the sun this summer.

Stay safe and don't forget your Bambebi!