Anyway, my fascination about baby carriers came about when I was pregnant with my daughter 7 years ago (right around now, in fact). I saw some different options (mostly WAHM-made-Work-at-home-mom-made) on my local mommy's board, and I was hooked. All the gorgeous patterns of fabric, the different options, and the versatility of it all. I became so entranced that I figured out how to sew them, since I couldn't really afford to try all the different ones I wanted to try.
Baby number one, on day 3 of life, day 1 home from the hospital, in her first carrier, a pouch sling, made by an amazing WAHM who has since stopped making carriers in lieu of other commitments, like homeschooling (oh, I understand that, oh so well):
My husband also took to babywearing quickly. It was a nice way for him to bond with a mommy-intensive baby who wanted to be held, and by default of who was usually doing the holding, nurse constantly. He would strap her on and start walking, and usually she would fall asleep for a bit. A side perk of this was all the attention he got from passers-by! Nothing like a cute dad and a cute baby sleeping!
Then baby number two happened, and baby wearing became a way to keep up with a rambunctious three year old, while keeping the baby close and safe. A bonus was that baby number two had (has) a dairy intolerance, and wearing him was one way to keep fussing (and I hope his pain) at a minimum, especially in those first two months when it took so long to figure out what was wrong to make him cry all the time.
(be kind--this is only about a week after birth, and I was so. tired.)
And another way to manage two:
Most often I have used a soft structured carrier in the past, as it is easy, fast and comfortable, but I also own a wrap (or two, hah), a ring sling made from a wrap, and a mei tai. I really enjoy wrapping tiny newborns as it is a great, secure way to keep a new baby close. I can't find any wrap pictures of baby #2 though (and I didn't wrap often with #1).
Most of the carriers pictured above I made myself, but this time, I'm not so inclined to do that. My birthday present from family members (they sent me money and I picked out the wrap) was a gorgeous purple wrap with tiny stars on it.
My other carrier wish is a Tula carrier in Tulip print or a Tula wrap conversion carrier.
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| stock photo courtesy of Tula |
Obviously I'm drawn to purples this time.
Some benefits that we have experienced from baby wearing are:
- convenience
- less fussiness
- mother-baby (or parent-baby or caregiver-baby) closeness
- hands-free (or mostly) breastfeeding on the move--great with toddlers and other children
- promotes healthy physical development (avoid flattened head syndrome, encourage good neck muscle development, promotes good digestion by being upright--good for a reflux or allergy baby)
Outside Resources about Babywearing
Here is an article with references about other benefits (or maybe, the lesser-known benefits) of baby wearing.
API's information on baby wearing is available here.
The Babywearer is a great go-to site for all things baby wearing, including a huge forum with tons of information about all different aspects of baby wearing.
And here is a jumping off page about the different kinds of baby carriers and how to choose what is best for you. Also information on how to make sure your carrier is safe and well-made.
These are some of my favorite brands of baby carriers:
Tula (soft structured carriers)
Natibaby (wraps)
Didymos (wraps)
Sleeping Baby Productions (ring slings)
Boba (commercially available carriers--you can normally get these pretty easily at Target, Babies R Us, etc)
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