I love babywearing

Welcome to The Breastfeeding Cafe Carnival!

This post was written as part of The Breastfeeding Cafe's Carnival. For more info on the Breastfeeding Cafe, go to www.breastfeedingcafe.wordpress.com. For more info on the Carnival or if you want to participate, contact Claire at clindstrom2 {at} gmail {dot} com. Today's post is about babywearing. Please read the other blogs in today's carnival listed below and check back for more posts July 18th through the 31st!

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I love babywearing. I researched various baby carriers extensively prior to Daniel's birth, because I knew I wanted us to keep him close as much as possible, and I believe in all the benefits of babywearing (for the whole family). I finally decided that since we weren't planning on buying a stroller, it would be worth it to buy several types of carriers so that Jaymz and I would have a variety to choose from. I settled on a woven wrap (Didymos), a pouch (Hotslings AP), a mei tai (Babyhawk), and a ring sling (Second Womb). I wish we could've gotten them all before Daniel was born, but we've purchased (and been gifted) them along the way. This is a bit of a review of our experiences with these. (Keep in mind, Daniel is just shy of two months old.):

The first one I tried out was the pouch, because we got it as a baby gift. I'm glad we got this one first, since I didn't want to have to struggle with a sling that had a sharp learning curve while I was already just learning to breastfeed and mother my new baby. It was great to be able to have him right there by my body and rest my tired arms. I really loved the pouch for those first few weeks, when he was still really tiny and sleeping most of the time.

Next, we tried the Didymos. My husband's math brain could understand the wrapping techniques better than mine could, so it took some coaching from him for me to get into using that one. I thought it would be my favorite right off the bat, but it took a little getting used to. Now I love it for days when we're going to be walking around a lot. Daniel feels secure and upright in it, and it doesn't stretch out and need to be readjusted much while wearing. It is a bit hot to wear on a warmer day, so I only wear a nursing tank under it most of the time.

I got my ring sling and my mei tai in the mail the same week, and Daniel loves being in the Babyhawk so much, the ring sling hasn't gotten as much use yet. The first day I had it, I did successfully nurse in the ring sling, after just a little bit of adjusting! I'm getting to know the ring sling better now, and finding that I want to wear it more. The fabric is so beautiful and it's seriously well constructed! I wore it during a trip to the farmers' market the other day, and loved it. It was easy to get on and off and I'm getting the hang of adjusting the rails. Daniel enjoyed napping in it very much, indeed! I'm already finding I'm wanting to use this more these days, but I think in a month or so when he has better head control, I will reach for this one even more often. Until then, we're keeping it in our diaper bag for those times when we get all ready to go (or have already driven to our destination) and realize we've left the baby carrier in the house...which happens relatively often these days.

For the stage Daniel is in right now, the mei tai has been the favorite for both Jaymz and me. It keeps Daniel upright and distributes his weight across both shoulders like the wrap, but is quicker and easier to tie on and adjust. It is also a bit cooler than the wrap on these hot Summer days! I bought the optional front pocket, and have found that to be very useful for holding cloth wipes and my cell phone when we're walking around. This carrier has been a life-saver when it comes to the colicky evening times when Daniel is very tired but is fighting falling asleep.

I recently bought some cotton jersey fabric to make a stretchy wrap, but I haven't gotten to it yet (despite the simplicity and ease of the project). If you want to try wearing your baby but don't want to spend a lot of money on a wrap or other carrier, this is a great way to get started!

Just for fun, here are the top 10 things I love most about babywearing:

1. I can eat(!) and do various household tasks while keeping my child close to me.
2. Nursing while babywearing is an acquired skill, and a very valuable one!
3. Strangers keep their hands to themselves when I'm wearing my baby.
4. When nothing else works, taking a long walk while wearing my baby is guaranteed to put him to sleep.
5. Carrying around the extra weight is a great way to get a little exercise.
6. I don't have to navigate doorways (or stairs, the train, the farmer's market...) with a bulky stroller (and I don't have to lug my car seat all over the place, either).
7. My baby can see and experience the world in a whole new way!
8. I love feeling my baby snuggled in to me...
9. ...and I know it's comforting to him, too.
10. Partners and other family members can do it too!

Try it out! You may find you love it as much as I do.

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 Here are more posts by the Breastfeeding Cafe Carnival participants! Check back because more will be added throughout the day.

• Sylko @ Chaotic Mama—Breastfeeding Carnival: Babywearing


• Emily @ Baby Dickey—do you babywear?


• Shelly @ Lousy Mom—Babywearing vs carrying


• Amy @ Anktangle—I love babywearing


• Claire @ The Adventures of Lactating Girl—Our Babywearing Journey


• Kimberly @ Monkey Tales Mama Thoughts—Wearing My Baby


• Lexi @ Life As A Mommy—Baby on Board - Literally


• Sarah @ Most Revealing—Do you babywear?


• Kate @ KateIsFun—Babywearing


• Melodie @ Breastfeeding Moms Unite!—Do you wear your babies?


• Renee @ Just the 5 of us!—Wearing My Babies


• Timbra @ Babes and Bosoms—Wearing her everywhere


• Natasha@naturalurbanmama—Breastfeeding and Babywearing



• And of course the guest poster on the Breastfeeding Cafe’s Blog today is Amanda Watsky—My Evolution in Babywearing