babywearing 101

I've had several people ask me about different carriers lately so I thought I'd share some of my favorites and give you all a brief description of the different styles available.  With all carriers there is a bit of a learning curve at first but practice makes perfect so stay with it and I  promise it will not only make your life a lot easier especially if you have more that one child but they are also a great way to bond with your baby.  They are a godsend for colicky babies too!

{slings}
A sling will take you through all stages with a baby.  When they are infants you can do the cradle hold and when they get bigger and don't want to lay down anymore use the hip carry position (my favorite).  There have been safety concerns with slings over the past several years because of misuse and design flaws which have either been corrected by the companies or they have shut down.  Always make sure that your baby is not too far down in the sling to where they can't breathe.  That is why the fit is so important.  I would rather have one a little on the snug side than too loose to where baby gets lost in it.  If you measure properly there shouldn't be any problems.  Size charts are available on all retailers sites.
As much as I love slings they aren't good for long periods of time because of the uneven weight distribution.  But don't let that keep you away from using them just keep in mind that you might also want to have a carrier to wear for longer spans of time. I do love that slings are easy to throw in a diaper bag.  I always have on in my car for a quick trip to the store! 

Serena & Lily's sling is gorgeous and has been on my want list for some time now.  It's currently on sale for a third of it's price so I'll be adding it to my collection very soon!

This sling from Peanut Shell is adjustable which helps to ensure that you get the right fit.  They also come in a traditional style sling.

The water sling by Karma Baby is so handy to have when at the pool or beach.  Hip carry is recommended with this one if you will be in the water.

 

Maya Wrap's ring sling also allows you to get a good fit.   Find instructions here on how to use one.

{wraps}

A wrap is my all time favorite way to wear a baby!  The weight is distributed evenly and it is super comfortable for me and baby.  I've noticed that out of all babycarriers this one seems to be the most intimidating to new babywearers because of the amount of fabric that is involved.  I promise you it does not take long to get the hang of it.  If my husband can figure out how to use it you can too!

The Sleepy Wrap is what I use and love!  I will tie it on in the morning and just pop Lyric in and out during the day.  It's my saving grace since becoming a mom of two.  There is a reason why it's called the sleepy wrap...babies go right to sleep when they are in it!  In comparision to the Moby Wrap which you might have heard of I prefer this one.  The fabric is stretchy and bounces back so you don't have to keep tightening it like you do with the Moby.  You can find instructions here and also watch video instructions.

If you still aren't convinced that you'll get the hang of tying the wrap yourself then go with the Baby K'Tan.  People swear by them!  It can be worn like a wrap but you don't have to actually wrap it on.  The one pictured above is made of 50% breathable mesh & 50% cotton to keep you and baby cooler.  Is your baby furry with four legs?  They have one for you too!  So adorable!

{structured carrier/mei tai}

Last but not least are the structured carriers and mei tais.  These are great for hikes, to wear on your back and are easy to get on and off.  The differnce between the two is that the structured carrier snaps on and the mei tai is tied on.

  

I didn't start using my Ergo until recently and I've been very happy with it.  Lyric is now 3 1/2 months old and big enough to be carried in it.  When she was a newborn I tried the infant insert and honestly didn't care for it.  It felt bulky to me and I was already so in love with my wrap that I decided to wait and use the Ergo when she got older.  This is now what I take on hikes and keep in the basket of my stroller in case she gets fussy on walks.  I like that it has a zippered pocket for my keys & things.  It's very user friendly too.  You just snap it on in two different places to keep the weight distributed evenly.

 The Belle Baby Carrier has been getting lots of press lately from all of there celebrity clientele.  I can see why people would like it too.  It doesn't look bulky and is a good option for forward facing carries.

Another adorable structured carrier is the Boba which is made by the creators of the sleepy wrap. 

Probably the most recognizable structured carrier is the Baby Bjorn.   We have two somewhere in this house but I don't use them because they are the older versions without the waistband and over time that can put a lot of strain on your back, neck and shoulders.  If you want to try this line splurge and get it with the waistband.

 

I used Baby Hawk's Mei Tai with Bishop and  really liked it but I see myself using my Ergo more this time around. The Mei Tai is better for smaller babies than the structured carriers but I still don't think it can beat the wrap.  Tying instructions can be found here.

I love to talk about babywearing and to help show mama's how great and helpful it can be! If you are new to babywearing it's easy to get overwhelmed and like I said practice makes perfect so don't get discouraged. You might go through several carriers before you find the perfect one for you! If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask.  If I hadn't seen my sister wear all three of her babies I might not be as comfortable doing it but I was fortunate to have a mentor in her.  The Baby Wearer is also a great resource for you.  Happy Babywearing!