If the carrier fits . . . . wear it! - Babywearing Plus Size Style

Happy Blog Day!

The last few weeks have been chock full of events - Expos, play dates, meetings . . . it's a sign summer is coming and we will all be getting even busier! Even me, your erstwhile blogger, so I thought I'd take advantage of a quiet evening and talk about something near and dear to my heart, plus size babywearing.

Tandem wearing my oldest 2

I've been plus sized my entire adult life, and though I'm working (successfully!) at getting healthier and slimmer, I know too well the frustrations of being bigger than average. My husband, too, has been there, done that. At his largest he was nearly 400 lbs and wearing 3XLT shirts. At my largest, I was nearly 250 lbs and wearing size 20, though I am sure that was snug. Despite our size, both my husband and I were intrigued by babywearing and determined to make it work for us. When we became parents in 2009, we started with an Ergobaby buckle carrier (SSC) - it fit him with an extender belt, and I was just able to make it work without the belt. Since then, we've discovered and used lots of other carriers, and I'm here to tell you that no matter what size you are, YOU can wear your baby. In all sorts of carriers, from buckle carriers, to mei tais, to woven and stretchy wraps, there is something in every category that will work for you, I promise. Not only do you have options, your options have options! I believe that you will find at least one carrier you love, not only because it works for you, but because you love the look and feel of it, too.  I'm going to walk you through the different categories of carriers and tell you what will likely work, and what (probably) won't.

First, the bad news.

Most of the things that will work for you aren't available in a brick and mortar store. A couple of weeks ago I shared a blog post about locally available carriers, and to be quite honest, though I got all of them to fit (and as of that writing, I was under 200 lbs and a size 16) - with a few of them it was a near thing. You can probably get a few to work for you, but your best options are available online, and there are plenty of them, so never fear!

The good news:

There are so many options, I am going to break it up by carrier type, explaining the good, the bad, and the ugly, including how to make some of these options less ugly, so to speak.

 

SSC/Buckle Carriers

Ashlyn and her daughter in an Ergo

This category includes Ergobaby, Boba, Beco, Kinderpack, Olives and Applesauce,Tula, Infantino Union, and a whole host of others.

The good: Buckle carriers are easy to use, and since these are often the option commonly chosen by daddy wearers, these tend to have generous length of straps and waist belts. Most of these aren't too bad on your wallet either; ranging in price from under $50 (the Infantino Union) to under $200 - most every other brand, unless it is a custom carrier (in which case, of course it will run you more) brand new. The only brand SSC that seems to run small in the straps is the Lillebaby. When I tried it, I barely got the waist to buckle. Every other carrier I have tried, I had waist length to spare. And I've personally owned an Ergobaby, Boba, Kinderpack, Olives and Applesauce, Babyhawk Oh!snap, and a Nana's JetPack, as well as having tried other brands available locally, and a friend's Tula.

Lillebaby
 tight, but it works!

** A word on strap length - many online makers offer Plus Size straps - Kinderpack offers this option, as do many others, though it may be labeled differently. Kanga calls their Plus Size carrier the Kanga XLT. Unless you are very plus sized, or quite tall, I doubt you will need plus straps. That "plus" bit only refers to the additional length of padding. The problem with extra padding usually comes in back carries, where you need a lot less length usually, and if you are short like I am, you need a LOT less length. With the plus straps you may not be able to get it tight enough to be comfortable for you and baby. I do know many plus sized parents that like the extra padding - but wanted to mention that you may not actually need that if you can't find it.

The bad: The price for a good carrier can be daunting to some, and it can sometimes be hard to find the carrier you want in the color or print you love. But honestly, that is true for any wearer of any size. Also, eventually you may want a different size or brand of carrier as your baby grows - buckle carriers are not the best birth-to-toddler option (though some carriers, like Olives and Applesauce, come close with built in infant panels for babies and wide seats for toddlers).

The ugly: Muffin-top. If you buckle this snugly around your waist, where most people wear it, you may notice some bulge above or below the webbing. If you are at all vain about how you look while wearing your baby, this may deter you from this choice of carrier. How to avoid this look? Buckle your carrier higher, around your ribcage/under your breasts. This is usually the slimmest part of your body and will look better. Another advantage is baby will be higher on your back which many find more comfortable, and baby may be happier being able to see over your shoulder. If you are like me and often wear layers for nursing, I usually will drape my top layer over the buckle, to disguise the bulge.

Mei Tai 

This category includes Babyhawk, Infantino Sash Mei Tai, Cat-Bird Baby (easily available), and other custom makers like Obi-mama, Bamberoo, and many Woven Wrap companies make a Wrap Conversion Mei Tai (Didymos, Hoppediz, and Lenny Lamb do for sure). 

Minde - tying Tibetan looks great!

The Good: Mei Tai are also super easy to use - just tie it on, and there are lots of options for ways to tie to adjust the comfort for you and  your baby. This is an easy carrier to move between different wearers since there are no buckles to adjust and it's truly one size fits most wearers and babies. There are tips to making a mei tai fit a smaller baby which also apply somewhat to SSC/Buckle Carriers. The price point is also pretty reasonable - ranging from around $30 for the Infantino to $200+ for custom wrap conversion options - you can find something in your budget.

The Bad: Strap length might be limiting somewhat, for what carriers you can do. Especially in the more custom options (or if you decide to sew your own) you can opt for longer straps to suit your needs.

The Ugly: Unlike an SSC, there are options for tying to avoid muffin top. There are some great tips for using and trouble shooting mei tai HERE.

Ring Sling

Rachael - this she sewed herself!

My favorite all time resource for all things Ring Sling Related is www.sleepingbaby.net - Jan Andrea has been doing this for years. If you poke around her site a bit, you'll find information on different shoulder styles, buy an inexpensive sling from her, send her a woven wrap to convert (if you see a ring sling done with an SBP or Eesti shoulder, it was done by her or by someone else using her instructions), and lots, and lots of DIY tutorials. Other great ring sling makers include Zanytoes, Sweet Pea Slings, Rocking Baby, Sakura Bloom, and Babyette.

The Good: Ring Slings are wonderful for new parents and new babies - you simply slip over your head and tighten. They also are a great carrier for toddlers who want up and down eleventy million times. What size do you need? I'd say no smaller than a medium, but you certainly do not need the size that corresponds with your shirt size. Basically, the extra length affords you a longer tail, which is pretty, and can serve as a handy nursing cover, or to wrap the rings if they get uncomfortable. Price - Ring Slings can easily be found under $100, even wrap conversion ring slings on occasion.

The Bad: Ring Slings are, by definition, a one-shouldered carrier. It will not be comfortable to use them for hours with a newborn or a long period of time with a heavy toddler. It may take some trial and error to find a shoulder style that you find comfortable. It's not generally recommended to use ring slings for back carriers (it's tricky to ensure the rings stay secure, though I know some wearers slide toddler from their hips to their backs for a minute or two to get them out of the way as they cook, etc ).

The Ugly: Some men aren't fans of ring slings - I think the find the draping fabric too feminine. That's the only "ugly" thing I can think of, as I find ring slings pretty universally appealing.

Woven Wraps



Amber is using a size 3 wrap

Woven wraps are wonderful. They are by far the most versatile of any sort of carrier, as they can be worn front, back, or hip, by any size or gender of wearer, for any size of baby from squish to preschooler. You will never need to "size up" for an older toddler the way you might choose to for a SSC or Mei Tai. (You may find different qualities in wraps appeal as your baby grows or you deal with variations in the weather, however).  That's great, I hear you say. What's the catch?

The Good: no matter if you are a size 14/16 or a size 22/24 or more, you can use most wrap sizes, from a size 2 to a size 7+.  The chart linked here gives you a good idea of what you can do with what size wrap. As you can see, any size can be your friend. I found as a new wrapper with a young baby, I preferred the length of a 7 to do multi-layer supportive carries. As my experience and baby grew, I preferred shorter wraps so I could secure baby faster. As an added bonus, shorter wraps tend to be less expensive. There are tons of different companies, fabric blends, and patterns to choose from, I honestly believe that there is something out there for everybody.

The Bad: Woven wraps have probably the longest learning curve of any carrier option. You'll sweat, curse, and cry. But then, if you keep at it, your muscles and joints will magically work together with your brain, and it will CLICK. And you will post pictures everywhere of your sweaty, tear-streaked awesomeness and we will cheer for you, because we have all been there. If we haven't (yet), we will stand back in virtual awe of your mad skills. Trust me. It's worth it. I admit, I'm mostly a buckle girl these days, but I am beyond grateful that wrapping is in my repertoire - it's a skill that's come in handy nearly every day since I had my second baby, and continues as my third baby grows into toddlerhood. For the plus size mama, especially if you feel your joints may be a bit limited in mobility, you might want to start back wrapping when your baby is a little older, like 6+ months, since bigger babies are easier to wrap (you don't have to try to reach quite as high on your back to do the passes needed to secure them). Unfortunately, wraps come with the most sticker shock - there are some budget friendly options - Little Frog, Storcheweige, Tekni Wovens has a beginner wrap option, and there is a Babywearing on Budget Swap on Facebook (everything under $100) - there are wraps that sell in excess of $300. Wraps also seem less budget friendly, because most people don't seem to buy just one. Yes, you can have just ONE wrap. (or two, or three . . .). Many of us DO have only a couple. The trick is to try some things to see what you like. The good news? Wraps have great resale value! and people love to trade!

The Ugly: there is no ugly in wrapping :) For many people I know, it's why they choose wrapping over other options, because there are lots of gorgeous ways to tie off a wrap that are flattering. Google Saltwater Tie off (done to finish a Double Hammock) or Sweetheart Tie (done with Back Wrap Cross Carry) or Taiwanese Carry.

You see, no matter what size you are, you can find a carrier that suits your personal needs, style, and body type. Babywearing can be the ultimate confidence booster as doing it often and successfully makes you feel like Super Woman, and that's a feeling that's flattering on every body shape.

Upcoming Events

 

Our weekend meeting is coming up on June 14th (a Saturday) at 10:00 a.m. at the LDS building on Assembly Street - come join us and check out our Lending Library where we can help you find a carrier that works for you.

Our June weekday meeting is Thursday, June 26th at 10:00 a.m. at the LDS Church on Broad River Rd. We'll be doing Yoga. And Babywearing. AT THE SAME TIME!  This will be a great time to bring your older kids who are out of school to join the fun.

Please note that both buildings are Peanut-Free Facilities, please choose nut-free snacks for your littles.

 

Also: Saturday, June 28th is the Midlands Baby and Kids Expo, where we will have a table set up to do demonstrations and troubleshooting.

Every Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. come join us in the Facebook Group for live chat with other local Babywearers - we talk about everything under the sun.

The Summer of Yes

Happy Blog Day, Midlands Babywearers!

As the month of May draws to a close and the thought of June and summer approaches, many of us are spending more time wearing our babies (and toddlers) than ever. Festivals, farmer's markets, vacations, errands, berry picking . . . there are plenty of opportunities to make use of those carriers. Whether you wrap, tie, or buckle, I'm sure you'll be doing lots of it this summer.

The more we wear, the more questions seem to come up, and I wanted to take this opportunity to go over a few I see commonly among our own community and those I (and maybe you) have seen on other babywearing pages, like Babywearing 102, Everyday Babywearing, Tandem Babywearing, and others. Most of the questions start out: "Can I babywear if . . . " or "Can I babywear when/while . . ." and the answer to many of these is yes. This particular post will offer brief answers to most of these (which usually is YES, you can!" and in future blog posts this summer, I'll delve into most of these questions more in depth.

Can I babywear while pregnant?

Jenna, rocking toddler wearing
while 30 weeks pregnant

Yes, you can! (Caveat - unless your doctor or midwife has put you under a lifting restriction due to pregnancy complications. In that case, please take your health care provider's advice over mine, or any other random person on the Internet)

How do you do babywear while pregnant? That depends. Have you been wearing prior to pregnancy? How did you do it when you are not pregnant? If you are already an experienced babywearer, continue as you did prior to pregnancy. Some adjustments you might want to make due to your growing bump are to wrap/tie/buckle above your bump whenever possible when carrying your toddler on your back. For some women, tying or buckling is more comfortable under the bump - try both and see what is most comfortable for you and your toddler.

Some toddlers are adverse to being on your back. Or they may decide to go on back carry strike. Or maybe you are not comfortable wearing your toddler on your back. You can still wear your toddler on your front, but of course it may become less comfortable/possible as your pregnancy advances. In these cases, you may want to move to a hip carry - ring slings are great for this, especially for toddlers that want up and down a LOT. Hip carries are quite safe while pregnant; as your pregnancy advances, you may notice the babe in the womb adjust his or her position when you carry your toddler on your hip - unless your heath care provider shows concern over your baby's position, I'd continue to wear your toddler as long as you are comfortable doing so.

Can I babywear if I'm plus sized?

Ashley and T
in a toddler/plus KP

Most people know they can babywear while plus sized; this question is usually a little more specific regarding certain carriers or lengths of woven wrap. As a plus-sized mama myself, married to a big and tall daddy who babywears, trust me, Yes, you can!

Plus-friendly SSC/Buckle carriers - Kinderpack, Olives and Applesauce, Boba, Tula, and many others are plus-size friendly
Brands I'd avoid: Ergo (unless you buy the extender), Lillebaby (unless you are on the borderline plus-size end), Baby Bjorn, and most others that you can buy in a store. I recently tried on nearly everything you CAN buy in a store in Columbia, and while I could buckle every carrier, it was a near thing in many cases, and I'm *only* a size 16.

Plus-friendly Mei Tai - the Infantino Sash, Babyhawk, and Catbird baby all work fine. Many Mei Tai makers (WAHM or Etsy, etc) offer different strap length options for plus-sized wearers, which make this carrier a great option.

Woven Wraps: You can use any size woven wrap. Yes, even a size 2. Your base size (what you can do most carriers, including a FWCC or Double Hammock in) is probably a size 7 or even 8. Yet, you can and should try other sizes. Wrapping with a woven wrap is much less daunting when you can use less fabric. In a size 2, you can wear on your front in a rebozo carry, on your back with Ruck Tied Under Bum or Rear Reinforced Rucksack Rebozo (RRRR), and many other options. Size 3 will let you do all of those and others, with different tie off/finishes. You can use a size 4 for most hip carries and most of the shorter back carriers, and a size 5 for all of those with a few different variations. Just because your body is bigger than average, doesn't mean your wrap collection has to consist solely of bigger than average wraps  - trust me - or better yet, come to a meeting and try a few sizes. You won't regret it!

Ring Slings: You probably want at least a size Medium sling. The benefits to a size Large or X Large is mainly in the length of tail. A longer tail is handy for a nursing or sleeping cover, wrapping the rings to cushion them, or just because it's pretty. Do not base your Ring Sling size on your shirt size! Pick one that's pretty and you'll love it.

Bottom line: Yes, you can wear any sort of carrier - the only limitation might be your budget (or your creativity, if you decide to DIY a carrier or two) I love seeing people of all sizes wearing their babies!

 

Can I wear while I travel? What do I pack?

Jennifer, at Disney

Yes, you can! Frankly, I don't know how anyone travels WITHOUT babywearing. In the airport, you may want to choose an option with no metal pieces, in case of x-rays, etc. Depending on the day, the airport, the mood of security, you may or may not need to take your baby off when you go through the various checkpoints, but being able to wear baby MOST of the time is still a great help when going to the airport.

What to pack? How much space to you have? - Just Kidding - I'm a minimalist, I don't want to pack everything I own, but I do want to be prepared. I'd pack at least one carrier per kid that might be worn, a water carrier if you are going to the pool or beach, and maybe a spare, just in case. Unless your baby or toddler uses or prefers a specific carrier, I'd pack my workhorse carriers that I know can handle a lot of use and abuse and nothing that needs babying, since you'll be using it in parking lots, airports, parks, and lots of other outdoor spaces.

Bottom line: a worn baby is a happy baby (most of the time), and everyone loves happy, traveling babies!

 

Can I wear while I work out?

Babywearing Yoga

Yes, you can! Actually, we are going to have a meeting just on this topic. The main thing to remember, or consider, is keep your common sense. Running, biking, horseback riding, and other very vigorous activities should not be attempted while wearing your baby. This is when the rule "If you wouldn't do it holding your baby in arms, then you shouldn't do it while wearing your baby" comes in handy.

That said, light dance, yoga, walking (even brisk walking), are all activities in which you can incorporate babywearing. It's a great way to keep your baby happy, add some resistance to your work out, and burn a few extra calories doing it! Come join us Saturday, June 14th or Thursday, June 26th to learn more about Yoga and Babywearing.

 

Can I wear both my baby and my toddler?

Melissa, using two woven wraps
wearing H on front and R on back

Yes, you can! Otherwise known as Tandem Babywearing, it's very possible to wear two babies, two toddlers, or any other combination at the same time. Now, this is probably considered an advanced skill - you want some experience wearing ONE baby before you go trying to wear TWO. Now, sometimes life throws you a curve - like twins - and you need to learn how to wear two babies at the same time in a hurry. Never fear, it can be done! just take it slow, ask for help if and when you need it, and you will be tandem wearing - like a boss.

How do you do it? Do you need one carrier or two?

You can wear two babies in one woven wrap. You need usually at least a size 6 (if you and your babies are small) but a size 7 or 8 is even better. You can use two woven wraps at the same time. You can use a ring sling and a woven wrap. You can use a ring sling and a buckle carrier. Or a mei tai and buckle carrier, or two mei tais, or two buckle carriers, or two ring slings . . . You get the idea. If you have two babies and two carriers, you can wear them both AT THE SAME TIME. 

The how really comes into play when figuring out the logistics. In general, I put the baby (or toddler) on my back that doesn't want to get down and up seventy million times. If you are using a woven wrap for the baby on your front, get that mostly pre-tied first (like a FWCC ), otherwise, put the baby and carrier on your back first, get them situated and snug, then add the front baby and carrier. Since it's much easier for the one in front to be put up and down seventy million and one times, this is the kid I wear on the front (unless the other one is needing to eat . . . in which case, boobie baby has the front seat out of necessity. The boobs don't work from the back seat) This has been a life saver for me, I'll be honest. I do not love wearing 50 lbs of kid in the South Carolina heat, but I love knowing that I can, if I need to. It's a valuable tool to have in your toolbox.

 

Speaking of breastfeeding . . Can nurse baby in my carrier?

Katrina, nursing T
 in a buckle carrier

Yes, you can! It's not the easiest and most natural thing in the world (but neither was breastfeeding for many of us), but once you figure it out - you and your baby will be so glad you did! This is one of those things where it is so much easier to show you than to tell you in a blog, so please come join us this Thursday, May 22nd at the LDS Church on Broad River Rd at 10 a.m.  - we'll explain, demonstrate, and troubleshoot with you how to get you nursing in your carrier.

 

 

 

Have other questions? Speak up! Our Facebook group is almost at 300 members, and we love questions. One of us is bound to have an answer for you, I promise. I'm also willing to bet that if you are brave enough to speak up , you aren't the only one with the exact same question, the ones that aren't brave enough to speak up will be so glad you did!

Newsflash: It's Hot Out There

Happy Mother's Day!

I hope everyone is enjoying Mother's Day, whether you are a mom of one, mom of several, a mom-to-be, a dad celebrating the mother of your child(ren) . . . . celebrate the women in your life. Today, especially since the weather is cooperative, I'm sure many of you are outside, grilling, barbeque-ing, picnicking, or otherwise enjoying the outdoors and all it has to offer. Here in the South, we love the outdoors, except when both the heat and humidity is through the roof - which unfortunately is half the year. How do you survive when your babies and toddlers still want to be held or worn? Can it be done - without one or both of you melting into a puddle?

I will not be the first, or last, to tell you that no matter what, you and baby will be hot if you are wearing them. There is no magic trick or secret carrier or special way that will instantly keep you and your baby cool as cucumbers in the South Carolina weather. Yes, you will be hot. but there are some things you should know that can help both of you keep as cool as humanly possible in 90+ degree weather with 100% humidity.

Most of these tips are common sense, some of them would never have occurred to me had I not known some awesome people who shared them with me.

 

Let's talk fabric

The more layers of fabric there are, in any carrier or woven wrap carry, the hotter you will be. Choosing a carrier with thinner, lighter weight fabric that breathes well is the first step in staying cooler in the heat.

Mei Tai

Mei Tai - choose one that has an unpadded body and thinner straps for optimal cooling - the Infantino Sash is one such, as is one by Cat-Bird Baby. Wrap straps provide more support, but will add stifling layers that will trap the heat.

Kinderpack with
Comfort Mesh at the Zoo

SSC/Buckle Carriers - choosing one with a mesh panel will improve circulation and help keep baby cool - Kinderpack and Bamberoo both have Kool Knit, Comfort Mesh, Solar Veil/Solar Weave panel options. Ergo makes a Performance Carrier that is one of my top picks for a carrier that is available locally - it has mesh in the straps that is helpful, plus a taller, wider body that the Ergobaby Original.

Ring Slings - any ring sling is a great option in the heat, since there is only

Ashleigh's Ring Sling

one layer (two if it's a double layer ring sling - Sakura Bloom, PeaPod Slings and others make double layer linen and silk slings) of fabric over baby. If your baby or toddler likes to be up and down frequently, a ring sling is a great addition to your carrier collection. It folds up small, and is useful for any stage - newborn through toddler. If your baby or toddler will be "up" a long time, a two-shouldered carrier will be more comfortable for both of you, though. Fabric options for ring slings that are popular include linen, cotton, and woven wrap conversions. Honestly, any of these are a great option and will breathe well.

Woven Wraps: as far as fabric goes, the top picks for hot weather wearing are usually linen and cotton. Both breathe well and do well in a lighter, more open weave. Look for Indios or Waves (these are patterns, available in various colors) by Didymos, plain twill weave (available by many brands, like Girasol), and some gauze wraps. Of all the gauze out there, the wraps by Wrapsody/Gypsy Mama are my favorites for sturdiness. You can make a DIY wrap out of certain kinds of gauze available at fabric stores, but these tend to be thinner and less supportive. Wrapsody Bali Breeze Gauze wraps are very affordable - new ones are less than $90.

Didymos Waves Tramonto
at the Zoo

Do not totally write off other fabric blends. Wool and hemp blends tend to be thicker and cushier on your shoulders, and more supportive for growing babies and toddlers. Since they are cushier, you can often manage a shorter wrap (less fabric!) for a longer period of time. I also like silk wraps in summer since they tend to be thinner. In general you can determine the thick or thinness of a wrap by looking at the GSM ( grams per square meter) - around 200 gsm is a thinner wrap 300+ is quite thick.

Molly and the Moby Wrap

Stretchy Wraps - these include the Moby and Boba wrap - honestly, these are both very hot carriers.Wrapsody Hybrid Stretch - this is a soft, breathable stretchy wrap that is supportive enough for back carries (the Moby, Boba, and K'tan are all too stretchy for back carries) - the Hybrid Stretch will cost a little more than the Moby or Boba Wrap, but like it's sister carrier, the Bali Breeze, runs well under $100 making it still a fairly affortable option.
Since they are stretchy, you need multiple layers to provide support, and the fabric blend traps heat. If you want something like this, a great option is the Baby K'tan which is also available in Breeze which is a very breathable, lightweight fabric. The main thing to remember with the K'tan is that you need the right size, which should fit like a snug t-shirt, and these carriers are most comfortable for babies under 15 lbs. Another option available is the Gypsy Mama/

More on Woven Wraps:

Less fabric is more cooling - In the summer (and spring and fall/Indian Summer) I love shorter wraps. Most people start out using a size 6 or 7 - this is your base size that you can accomplish most carries in, like a Front Wrap Cross Carry, a Double Hammock back carry, etc. As you get more experienced, many wrappers like to move to "shorties" AKA shorter wraps sizes 2-4, for many reasons.  It's less fabric, faster wrap jobs for wriggly babies and toddlers, and often these wraps are less expensive (since they are less fabric). Carries that are popular - because the are only one or two layers:

Melissa - Front Cross Carry

Front Carries: Kangaroo and Front Cross Carry














Laura - Semi FCC

Hip Carries: Rebozo (most often done with a size 2), Poppins, Robin's, Coolest Hip Cross Carry, Semi Front Wrap Cross Carry












Katrina - HJBC

Back Carries: Rucksack/Ruck (and all its variations), RRRR/Pirate's Carry, HJBC (Half Jordan's Back Carry - look for the symmetrical version), DHTAS (Double Hammock Tied At Shoulder), Rear/Back Rebozo

Torso carry in a size 3

Torso  - these can be done on front or back, and are great when you have sunburned shoulders. These can even, in a pinch, be accomplished with a beach towel. You will notice with a torso carry that baby sits lower on your back, right in your lumbar curve, so it can take some time to get accustomed to the difference, if you are used to wearing baby high on your back.


 

Wearing in the water

Water Ring Sling
 at Folly Beach

Yes, you can wear in the water. My favorite thing to use is a water ring sling - made by several reputable makers on Etsy, Zanytoes, and others. These are made from athletic mesh that dries quickly and is fairly inexpensive. I've used mine from squish through toddlerhood, and I love it. You can also buy a length of athletic mesh and use it like a woven wrap. Downsides: this is a lot of fabric that is going to get wet and heavy, and possibly quite hot, once you have all those layers. I wouldn't recommend this in a rebozo, as the knot will get difficult to adjust when wet. You can buy sling rings and get a short length and either sew your own or use it as a no-sew ring sling. The only thing, purely for safety reasons, is please do not wear baby on your back in the water. You need to be able to see your baby and make sure his or her airway stays clear, and that is difficult on your back.  Once you are out of the water, back carries are awesome.

Other tips for staying cool:

Frog Toggs - This is a large cloth pad available at Wal-mart and other retailers  in the camping section designed for keeping people cool. Cut in to smaller sections, dampen and place between you and baby to stay cool

Hydrate - make sure you and baby drink plenty, since chances are you will be sweating. Maybe get a handheld misting fan to keep you and baby cool.

 hat + shade + baby on back
= cool times at the beach 

Stay covered - hats, baby legs, long sleeves, etc will help avoid sunburn and keep you both shaded

Take breaks - when possible, switch positions, take baby down and let them move, rest, etc.

Wear baby on your back - for some reason, it seems less hot to have baby on your back. Maybe it's just less places for sweat to pool, but for whatever reason, many people find having baby on their backs is much cooler than wearing on the front.

 

The weather is warming up, and it's only going to get hotter - come join the conversation in our Facebook group about you like to stay cool in the South Carolina Heat. Better yet, come join us at our Ice Cream Social next Saturday, May 17th at 11 a.m. We'll be at Heathwood Park  - this is a great park with a water feature that the kids are sure to love.

You need a carrier TODAY - is there anything good in Columbia?

What a gorgeous day, Midlands Babywearers!

Minde at Soda City

I hope all of you are enjoying another fabulous weekend out. There was a lot going on this weekend. The Rosewood Crawfish Festival, the Grand Opening of Community Park of Irmo (by the way, if you have not been to this park, you must check it out. It's awesome), Strawberry Festival of Fort Mill, as well as the usual hang outs like Soda City, Riverbanks Zoo, and the Irmo Farmer's Market - all great places both to babywear and spot other Babywearers.

But, say you're new to babywearing. Or maybe you are a veteran, but forgot all your carriers at home, and you are traveling to Columbia from Aiken or Sumter, and need to buy one, like, now. Or, perhaps, you are a little wary of buying something off the internet that you can't try on. This blog has got you covered.

Caveat: before I get started and you spend any of your hard earned money on something available in a store that you can only try a minute before buying  . . . mention your dilemma on our Facebook group. We now have over 250 members, many either right here in Columbia and the surrounding area, many are scattered all over the state. One of them is bound to be near you, probably several. I am willing to bet big money that someone will let you borrow something if you only need it for a day. The parents in our group are some of the most amazing and generous people I've ever had the privilege to know. I really am amazed daily at the level of awesomeness in our group. And maybe you just want to try on something before you dive in and buy your own. That's just smart shopping. There is also our Lending Library - we have lots of great options there, including some of the better things available in local stores. Once you've been to a couple meetings, you are welcome to borrow from the Lending Library. Your first rental is free. Rentals thereafter are $5, and you get to try it for a month. It's a really great way to figure out what you like, and don't like, in a carrier before buying one of your own.

Ok, now to the nitty gritty. Melissa (our dedicated photographer and fellow babywearer) and I searched the Midlands (okay, just Harbison) to find out what was available in town to buy. We carted our collective four children from BuyBuyBaby to Target and made a final stop at Babies R Us, all in search of baby carriers. Let me tell you what you will not find. You will not find a woven wrap in baby store. You will not find the higher end buckle carriers like Tula or Kinderpack (though you will find some options that cost more than nearly any woven wrap or buckle carrier I've purchased). You can find a ring sling - but not at any of the stores we went to. Go check out KD's Treehouse. She carries Rockin' Baby Ring Slings. I've never tried this ring sling, so I can't review it personally. You can find a great review of it HERE - which boils down to: it's a great ring sling by a great company. Prices range from $70-$100.  You WILL find a whole lot of options in forward facing carriers. As I've said before, this is an okay position for a short period, but generally not a great idea for baby or you, long term. You will find a surprising number of ergonomic options at a reasonable price point, including a Mei Tai. You will find any number of pouches, of various levels of usability. So, as DJ Lance says, "Let's break it down!" (Sorry, my youngest kid's favorite show is Yo Gabba Gabba)

For reference: the baby model is 13 months old, 22 lbs, and about 30" tall and the adult pictured (me) is a size 16 and 4'11". The gaping tummy flub and interesting facial expressions are just bonuses for your entertainment. This was much harder work than I thought it would be!

Stokke My Carrier
Price: $219.99
ages/weight limits: 33 lbs

Stokke: we were not stoked at the price

Pros: This carrier tries to be ergonomic. It tries, really, really, hard. The back is t-shaped and the center panel, going between your shoulder blades, is a metal bar. Yes, it's removable. You can wear your baby facing in, facing out, and on your back. In that case, you remove the metal bar. The seat for the baby was ok. It was not the narrowest, but not the widest either. with the headrest snapped up, the panel is fairly tall, making this workable for a growing toddler, and it snaps down to accommodate a younger baby. It is snapped up with my 13 month old.
Cons: This is the most complicated carrier I have ever tried on. My baby and I were sweating by the time it was done, and I did need Melissa's help to get it situated. This is not a carrier you can easily figure out on your own, and no, the salespeople don't know how to use it, either. The clips are not buckles but safety carabineers like you use for hiking, etc. The metal bar going down your back was not helpful and was really uncomfortable. While you can wear baby on your back, the way that this is styled makes me think that only on a man with a ripped chest and 6 pack abs would look good in it. (but such a man would rock anything, really). Other cons: did you see the price?
Overall Review: If you need a laugh, or a workout, go try this on. I want to be kind, but this is a really hard carrier to like, especially at the price. I am sure, honestly, that there is a demographic that would like this carrier - the metal bar might be a boon to someone with a really bad back that needs that support. But I also feel, in truly ergonomic options, that you will not need that metal back support.
Where to buy: BuyBuyBaby

BabyBjorn ONE
Price: $219.99
ages/weight limits: 8-33 lbs
Pros: Of all the things BabyBjorn makes, this carrier is the most ergonomic. The seat is wide, it includes a waist belt for better weight distribution. It can be worn facing in, facing out, or on the back. The material can be wiped down for easy clean up.
Cons: Mostly the price. Nearly $220 is a hefty price tag for a carrier that has nothing to offer that other lower priced carriers don't already cover, and better. This was also an insanely complicated carrier to put on. I found learning to back wrap was far easier than figuring out this carrier, and the Stokke listed above.
Overall Review: If you like the brand, or your baby loves your current Bjorn, but is getting too big for it, and you want to stick with what you know, this is a good option - but make sure you fiddle with it at the store first, to make sure you can work all the various clips and connectors.
Where to buy: BuyBuyBaby and BabiesRUs (it's only $179.99 here)

Bjorn Comfort - not bad

Baby Bjorn Comfort Carrier
Price: $199.99
ages/weight limits: 13-31 lbs
Pros: in the wide leg position, this carrier is actually fairly ergonomic. It's a little cheaper than the ONE.  All the other pros of the ONE apply to the Comfort Carrier.
Cons: The buckles/clips on this and the other Bjorns I tried are unique to the line. they aren't the standard buckle clip so it takes getting used to so there is more of a learning curve.
Overall: a better price for a fairly ergonomic carrier. Not my favorite, but it was by far not the worst thing I tried.
Where to buy: BuyBuyBaby and Babies R Us

Ergobaby 360
Price: $159.99

Ergobaby 360: my baby has never
ridden facing out before

ages/weight limits: Suitable for newborns weighing 7 to 12 lb. when used with Ergobaby Infant Insert (sold separately) and by a baby up to 33 lb. or 36 months old
Pros: Ergonomically supports baby in a multitude of positions, including facing out. When facing out, the hips are actually pretty well supported in the 360, baby is not left dangling. It's fairly comfortable for the wearer, too. The shoulders have adequate padding. Wearing baby on your back in this would be comfortable, like most things made by Ergobaby. The width and height of the back would work for even a growing toddler.
Cons: With a young baby and the infant insert, this will get hot. Really, really hot. The all cotton is nice and breathes okay, but it is not the coolest carrier out there. And the waistband! it is VELCRO. Yes, VELCRO. It is insanely loud to remove. I am not a fan. On the plus side (literally) this expands nicely and fit m with plenty of overlap to spare, so it's plus-size and big-daddy friendly. But, seriously, Velcro? it makes it hard to wash because everything will stick to it, and Velcro always, always, eventually wears out. (that, among other reasons, is why many cloth diapers are made with Aplix instead, or better yet, snaps).
Overall Review: If you, or your baby, needs an ergonomic outward facing position, this is the carrier I would choose. Otherwise, there are other options available at a better price point.
Where to buy: BuyBuyBaby and Babies R Us

Ergobaby Performance
we liked how it performed

Ergobaby Performance
Price: $139.99
ages/weight limits: 7-33 lbs
Pros: Of all the carriers in Ergobaby's line, this is my favorite. It breathes (thanks to mesh in the straps and body of the carrier), it's taller and wider than the original, and the waist band is the longest. You could easily use this carrier as long as you need one for you child, in most cases. It is a really great carrier for the price.
Cons: The waist band support has a deeper curve, which I didn't mind, but depending on the wearer, and whether you buckle at waist, at hip level, or somewhere in between, you might find that awkward and uncomfortable. Only other thing (but it really applies to anything on this list) is the color is kind of boring. But you can jazz it up with custom drool pads :)
Overall Review: A great carrier, especially for the South Carolina heat. If you have the money to spend, I'd get this.
Where to Buy: BuyBuyBaby and Target

Ergobaby Original

I did actually try on the Ergobaby Original, even though I have owned and used one in the past. How it differs from the Performance: it is all cotton, the panel is shorter and less wide, and the waist band strap is not as long. My husband (who wore a 3XLT at the time) needed the waist band extender, and I was size 18/20 and could just barely use it without. We used it happily from the time our oldest son was 3 months old until he was about a year old. At that point, he leaned a lot when worn on my back and we bought another carrier with a taller back (and that came in a cuter print). You can buy one at BuyBuyBaby, Babies R Us, and even Target.

Lillebaby Complete: almost Completely perfect

Lillebaby Complete
Price: $109.99
ages/weight limits: 7-45 lbs
Pros: The Price! first of all. Secondly, no insert is needed for a young baby, you can snap it in for a better fit for a younger baby. The back was nice and tall and fit my 13 month old well. You can wear this facing in, facing out, on your hip, and on your back. It has a higher weight rating than the Ergobaby, so you can use it for an older or heavier toddler. For the money, this is a great carrier. Plus, if you have a store coupon (BuyBuyBaby often has 20% off coupons) you can get this for well under $100.00. WIN.
Cons: The only major con that came up was size. I'm a size 16 right now and I barely got this to buckle. That made me sad, seriously. This is such an otherwise great carrier, that I hate that I can not recommend it to all my plus size friends.
Overall review: for right around a $100 (or less, with a coupon) - this is a truly fantastic carrier for the average sized wearer.
Where to buy: BuyBuyBaby

Chico Coda: Could've been better

Chico Coda
Price: $89.99
ages/weight limits: 8-25 lbs
Pros: You can use this facing you or facing out. It is not the narrowest carrier I've seen.
Cons: It's only a front carrier. You can not use this on your back. It only goes to 25 lbs, which means many babies will size out of it before a year old. I find I wear my babies most often between the ages of 8 months and 2 years - when the either are not walking yet, or not strong enough to walk far, yet want to be held all. the. time.  It's also not very comfortable, for me or for my baby, since he's kind of held away from me.
Overall review: If you really want this sort of carrier, there are plenty at Once Upon a Child (in the same shopping center as Babies R Us) - for much less money. I know people are happy with this carrier for a while, and I'm glad there is an option for them. It's just not for us.
Where to Buy: Babies R Us

Balboa Sling - I don't know if
he didn't like the pink, or the carrier,
 or both

Balboa Sling
Price: $59.99
ages/weight limits: 8-25 lbs
Pros: this makes a decent hip carrier for an older baby, I would say the same for any pouch-type sling, of which this is one.
Cons: this is a sized carrier. Getting the right size for you is essential to making it work. The padded rails are supposed to add comfort but make it kind of difficult to adjust. It IS adjustable with some sewn in rings, however this is NOT a ring sling. Since the weight is borne entirely on one of your shoulders, it is not as ergonomic for the wearer as a two-shouldered carrier.
Overall Review: for the price, go to KD's Treehouse mentioned above and try a Rockin' Ring Sling. Ring Slings are a great carrier for newborn through toddler, that you can read more about HERE
Where to buy:  BuyBuyBaby and Babies R Us

Infantino Sash: We were smiling on t
he inside, promise!

Infantino Sash Mei Tai
Price: $34.99
Ages/weight limits - 8-36 lbs
Pros: The price! It's ergonomic. It has a wide enough seat to cover most babies and toddlers knee-to-knee. The fact that it uses ties instead of buckles means that some families will find it easier for both parents to use, even if they are very different sizes (no adjusting buckles, etc). It can be worn on the front, back, or hip. You can even wear a younger baby on your back in a high back carry, unlike most buckle carriers which recommend starting around age 6 months or sitting unassisted for back carries. It comes in a couple cute patterns. Did I mention the price?
Cons: Some wearers find learning to tie a Mei Tai has a slightly longer learning curve than using a carrier with buckles.
Overall Review: for well under $50.00, you can get a great carrier that will fit most body types and most babies and toddlers comfortably. If you need something now, for today only, it's definitely worth owning.
Where to buy: Babies R Us, Target, and Wal-mart

Baby K'tan - clearly she was a fan

Moby - the cat approved -

Other carriers carried in stores, that I did not try due to the age and size of my baby: Moby Wrap and Baby K'tan. Both will run you $40-$50 and are a great option for newborns and young babies. Both, since they are stretchy, will support your baby until they reach 12-15 lbs. If you can get the Baby K'tan sized properly for you (it should fit like a snug t-shirt), I favor it, since no tying is involved and it's much easier to use. You can buy both at BuyBuyBaby, and the Moby is carried most places that sell baby items, including Target.




If you need a carrier, today, you can find something great locally, at a good price in nearly any budget. BuyBuyBaby and Babies R Us do carry more brands including Beco and Boba online, and both of those buckle carriers come highly recommended.

If you purchased a carrier in Columbia, come tell us about it in our Facebook group, especially if you loved it.

Upcoming Meetings and Events:

Saturday, May 10th - 10 a.m. - Warm Weather Babywearing. We'll be at our usual weekend location, the LDS building on Assembly Street.

Saturday, May 17th - 11 a.m. - Ice Cream Social at Heathwood Park -  we'll provide the ice cream, ya'll bring the toppings, kids, families and fun.

Thursday, May 22nd - 10 a.m. - Nursing/Feeding while Babywearing. This is a joint even with La Leche League of Columbia, held at the LDS Church on Broad River Rd.

We hope to see everyone during at least one of these events!