Make it Work!

Good Morning, Babywearers!

It's been a busy weekend, and I'm sure many of you have been out and about babywearing - I've seen you at the Greek Festival, Chinese Moon Festival, Soda City, and all the other usual places like soccer games, grocery stores, Target and the Mall. Well, you know what I mean. I saw posts on Facebook - there's no way in the world I can manage to hit all that stuff in one weekend, even if I wanted to! But I love seeing the variety of carriers each of us use every day.

That's one thing I really, really love about Babywearers of the Midlands - we have parents that use SSC/Buckle carriers all the time, others that are all about wraps, we have moms that love their Mei Tai, and still others that can't get enough ring slings. And yes, we have families that own and use a variety of these carriers, depending on the situations (yours truly, for example). That's one thing that I think is really important about this group as it grows - we see that all carriers are welcome and we can geek out about just about anything. If you are prone to geekery, at any rate.

Update: 09/27/2015: As you can see, this post was originally written and published a little over a year ago. In that year, a lot has changed in the babywearing community regarding recommended safety practices and regulations. The most commonly given  new rule of thumb is: if it is not in manufacturer's instructions, don't do it!

 

Therefore I'm updating this post with some caveats to safety, and when these Make It Work Tricks are ok to do, and when they are not.

 

For ALL OF THESE TIPS - they are not long term solutions. They are things you can do to make a carrier work for a wear or two, not more than that.

Make it Work!

All of us have done it. Bought a carrier slightly too big for our baby. Maybe the baby was smaller than you thought, or the carrier bigger. Or perhaps you were gifted a carrier and you can't get a good fit. I'm going to focus on three "tricks" you can use to make a carrier work for you and your baby, at any size. You may have heard of them, but wondered what they were. They have become so common in the babywearing world that they have become part of the lingo, and often not given much explanation. They are: The Hair Tie Trick, The Blanket Trick, and The Scarf Trick. I'm hear to break it down for you, so you can make these carriers work for you!

Updated Caveat: If your baby and carrier size are serious mismatch - they baby won't fit in for weeks or months - sell or trade your carrier for one that's the proper size. Under each of these tips I'll explain why they are short-term solutions.

The Hair Tie Trick

Who? This trick is used to make carriers work for smaller babies and newborns. It can also be used on a toddler carrier to make it work more like a standard.

What? Used primarily on Mei Tai, because it doesn't usually place unusual stress on the seams. On Buckle Carriers/SSC, this is a short term, do once or twice solution.

Where? At the base of panel, above the waistband.

When? Use this when the panel of the Mei Tai or SSC appears to swallow your baby. Especially with newborns, you want to follow TICKS:

• T: Tight - carrier needs to fit baby snugly to your body
• I: In View at All Times
• C: Close Enough to Kiss
• K: Keeps Chin off Chest - need that airway open!
• S: Supported Back - you want baby upright, with back in C position when they are tiny.

Why? Because a carrier that is too large for your baby means that following TICKS is impossible; a too large body panel means that it fits your baby too loosely. Baby can slump down, out of view, and compromise her airway. It is of utmost importance that baby carriers, like car seats, fit your baby and are used properly at all times. This trick narrows and shortens the body panel making it work for a newborn or smaller baby. It makes it possible to keep baby in view and follow all the rules of TICKS.

How? Easy Peasy. Using a hair band, ribbon, or other loop of elastic, slip it over the waist band (the ties if using a Mei Tai, the webbing if using a SSC), and onto the lowest part of the body panel, above the waistband. This shortens and cinches the panel, making it comfortable for a newborn to be legs out, in an M Position. For more on Ergonomics (like M Position, C shaped Spine, TICKS, and other alphabet soup awesomeness, see HERE. )




an uncinched Mei Tai
See how it does not follow the rules
of TICKS?
(this was Demo Dolly. She was in no danger)



If you look closely,
you can see the hairband at
the base of this Mei Tai

See how well it fits, when it's cinched?



Using a hair elastic to cinch the base
of a Mai Tai







Using a Kinderpack's Storage loop
to cinch the base of a standard carrier



 

Updated Caveat - using the roll up strap to cinch the base of the carrier was a recommendation that even the manufacturer, Kinderpack endorsed not all that long ago. They no longer recommend this particular use of the storage strap, as it places undue and unusual stress on the seams that have not been tested to safety standards.  

The Blanket Trick

Updated Caveat: Only use this trick at the manufacturer recommendation. The only manufacturer that endorses this method is Lillebaby.  Why? most infant inserts sold with carriers not only boost baby up, they also support your newborn around the sides, to prevent slumping and leaning which helps protect that precious airway.  Furthermore, blankets smoosh more than the foam pillows used in infant inserts and can easily become dislodged.  Final recommendation: use this with a Lillebaby if your baby is not ready to be legs out in the narrow base setting. Other wise,  you may want to try and borrow, trade, or buy a carrier better sized for your newborn until they fit properly in the one you have.

 

Who? This trick is used to make carriers work for smaller babies and newborns.

What? Used on SSC/Buckle Carriers.

Where? At the base of panel, above the waistband.

When? Use this when the panel SSC appears to swallow your baby. Especially with newborns, you want to follow TICKS:

• T: Tight - carrier needs to fit baby snugly to your body
• I: In View at All Times
• C: Close Enough to Kiss
• K: Keeps Chin off Chest - need that airway open!
• S: Supported Back - you want baby upright, with back in C position when they are tiny.

Why? Because a carrier that is too large for your baby means that following TICKS is impossible; a too large body panel means that it fits your baby too loosely. Baby can slump down, out of view, and compromise her airway. It is of utmost importance that baby carriers, like car seats, fit your baby and are used properly at all times. This trick boosts baby higher in the body panel, and makes a narrower seat for baby, making it work for a newborn or smaller baby. It makes it possible to keep baby in view and follow all the rules of TICKS.

How? Buckle or tie the waist of your carrier in your preferred location. Most parents tend to do this a bit higher than their belly buttons when using carriers with a newborn, in order to get baby in a higher position. Roll a flannel receiving blanket, and place on top of the waist band. Hold the roll with one hand while placing baby sitting on it with the other. Bring the back of the carrier up, and put your arms through the straps and fasten the chest clip. Many people prefer this method rather than the manufactured infant inserts (like Ergobaby's) because it is not padded and therefore less hot. But please, if your carrier comes with an infant insert, use it, rather than this method. Or let us help hook you up with a cooler carrier! There are a lot of great options out there that are more breathable and work wonderfully for newborns.

Side view of Jackie and H, blanket roll

Front view - placing baby on roll



All done - Baby H is
 Snug, Kissable, Viewable, and Comfortable
and adorable, too!



 

 Scarf Trick

Who? Have a narrow based carrier (made by Baby Bjorn, Snuggli, Evenflo, etc)? This trick is for you!

What? This trick will turn your less than ergonomic carrier into one more comfortable - for both you and baby, by bringing baby's legs up into an M position, and securing baby more snugly to your torso.

Where? Like most of these tricks, around baby's seat.

When? This can be used for babies of any age or size that fit the weight limits of your narrow based carrier.

Why? Contrary to what some of you may have heard, using a Narrow Based Carrier is not going to cause your baby to develop Hip Dysplasia. However, if your baby is prone to this condition due to other medical factors, using a Narrow Based Carrier (NBC, from here. I'm a lazy typist), will certainly not help. This trick brings your baby into a more ergonomic position - that is, a position that is far more comfortable and natural for them, while at the same time, securing them more snugly to your torso, which makes it more comfortable for YOU, the wearer.

Why does it work?  In most narrow based carriers, even when baby is facing you, they are harnessed such that they are really hanging in front of your body, only connected by the shoulder straps (and maybe waist band, if your NBC has one). The baby's weight is pulling away from your center of gravity which in turn, pulls on your shoulders and can hurt your back. This is especially evident if they are up for a long period of time. As far as your baby goes, ever notice - particularly with a newborn - how when you hold them upright, their tiny legs tuck in and up, like a frog? When you are holding them, your hand or arm is almost always under their bottom, supporting this frog-legged position, so that it almost looks like an M with the baby's knees being the top points of the M? You want your carrier to mimic the position you would hold them, in arms, as it feels most natural and comfortable for both of you.

How? There are two ways you can do this. The first, and most common, is to use any scarf that you could comfortably tie around you and baby. Bringing babies legs up into an ergonomic position, use the scarf around the both of you to secure the baby's legs in that M position, tying the scarf in the back.  The second method, you need a couple yards of a narrow strip of cloth. With baby in the NBC, you use the strip tied almost like you would a Moby wrap, bringing baby's legs up into the M position, and the fabric crossed behind your back. This method might be a bit cooler than using a scarf, and may overall feel more supportive than the scarf alone, since it also helps distribute the weight of baby better across your torso and shoulders.

Ashleigh, using the 1st scarf trick
She tucks the scarf up under baby's bottom
to create an ergonomic seat before tying in back.

Chris, using the 2nd scarf trick
She starts like the first scarf trick,
creating the seat, then bringing the ends of the fabric
crossed in back and over her shoulders
before tying under S's bottom.




 

 

Hopefully, this has helped you find ways to make your carriers work for you, or perhaps you can take this knowledge out in your community to help your friends, family, and neighbors use their carriers in a way that makes them more comfortable.  I know so many people give up babywearing because they can't find a way to make the carriers they have work for them, and they don't want to spend more money on another carrier without knowing if they can make it work. If you, or someone you know, wants to try out some options, please invite them, come with them, drag them to, one of our meetings. Ok, maybe not drag them. We are so blessed with what we've been able to add to our Lending Library, and we want to share the love! Plus we love seeing new faces and getting to know each one of you better.

 

Our Lending Library has grown so much over the last year since this was originally published! please contact one of our Librarians, and we will be happy to help you find a carrier that fits and works best for you and your little one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Yes, You Can! Borrow From our Lending Library

Happy Blog Day!

International Babywearing Week is fast approaching  - it's October 5th through 11th - and we have so much fun in store for you! You will be hearing a lot about fundraising efforts in the weeks before, and during the week itself. We have T-shirt sales already in progress, a refreshed logo and more t-shirts in the works, and some fantastic prizes that we are working on how to raffle off . . . I mean, really. It's going to be a week-long blitz of babywearing awesomeness.

 

I know all of you are curious about why we fund raise and where money goes. The majority of all proceeds are used to purchase carriers for the Lending Library. Some funds are used to purchase business cards. Others are used for miscellaneous things that the group needs to get the word out about us, like printing fliers, or other advertising costs (a few publications are free, but many charge a nominal fee to print anything about our events or the group itself).  Unlike other groups, we are independent of any larger organization (we are not a Babywearing International Chapter, and International Babywearing Week is not a week sponsored solely by BWI). Since we are independent, we do not charge any membership fees. No portion of the funds we raise is dedicated to a larger body. It all stays local, to benefit existing members and grow our group.

The Lending Library

Shakespeare is often quoted:

Neither a borrower nor a lender be,
For loan oft loses both itself and friend,
And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry.
Hamlet, Act I scene 3

Melissa and H borrowed this wrap from Jackie.
H loved it so much, Melissa had to get one of her own.

But you know what? Shakespeare is wrong. Yes. Wrong. At least when it comes to loaning baby carriers. We have gained so many friends through the loaning and borrowing of baby carriers. It's this generosity of spirit that I think has really helped to grow our local babywearing community. I have heard so many parents, close to giving up on babywearing, say: What I have doesn't work for me. My back hurts. My baby hates it! Help! And a babywearing friend steps in, says, hey: try THIS, or this, or this,  and somewhere along the way, the different carrier clicks, and the parent, once so close to giving up, is now a babywearing convert and outspoken advocate. That, my friends, is why I love our group.


So what is the Lending Library, exactly?

The Lending Library is a group of carriers "owned" by the group, for the sole purpose of having members try them, borrow them, and return them. Our particular library started mostly from personal donations of the leaders and a few generous members. We've solicited major brands for donations and discounts, and a few have graciously responded. Tula offered us a discount, and thanks to our last fundraiser, we were able to add both a standard and a toddler sized Tula to the Library. Boba generously donated a Boba 4G to our Lending Library just in the last month. We've also won or had donated a few woven wraps. Slowly, our Library is growing.

How does it work?

Can anyone borrow a carrier? Just about. We do require you to attend at least two meetings, or play dates, or a combination of both. Why? We want to get to know you! We also have a responsibility to make sure that you are borrowing a carrier that will work for you (i.e. not borrowing the Toddler Tula when you have a 4 month old), and that you know how to use it before you take it home. We certainly don't expect you to be an expert in its use prior to borrowing it, but we do need to know that you can use it safely, and we expect you to get better as you practice.

How much does it cost? Your first rental is FREE. Subsequent rentals cost $5.00. Whether it's your first or fourteenth rental, you do need to leave a deposit for the replacement value of the carrier. This can be in the form of a check (which is not cashed) or other means (we've done debit card numbers, for example). The check (or other form of deposit) is returned to you intact, when we receive the carrier back.

How long can a carrier be loaned? Right now, the loan term is one month. 30 days to play with, explore, familiarize yourself with a carrier. To figure out if you want to buy one of your own. To determine what does, and does not, work for you. For example, maybe you borrowed the Tula, but after a couple weeks, you realize you don't really like how the shoulder straps fit. Or maybe you took the Kinderpack home and discovered that no matter how hard you try, you just can't get it comfortable. In other words, enough time to really know the carrier and make some solid decisions.

Why do people do more than one loan? Well, for some, because the first thing they tried didn't work for them. Others are just curious. Some parents borrow our carriers as they work to save up for one of their own. Yes, you can buy some carriers more cheaply (like any one of the Infantino line), but often times, after trying on something different, a parent may realize that it really is worth the extra money to get a more expensive carrier.

What's available in the Lending Library?

A view of our lending library
(plus a few additions from our leaders)

The list below is the full list of what is in our Lending Library.

Woven and Stretchy Wraps:

from top left: Hybrid stretch, NB Feathers, Didymos Jonas
NB Snowflakes, Little Frog woolie (not LL), NB Raspberry (not LL),
dark purple wrap, and Didymos Geckos

Moby-(Chocolate)
• Sleepy Wrap-(Off White)

Both the Moby and the Sleepy Wrap are very similar. These carriers are best for newborns through up to about 15 lbs. If you are very deliberate with your wrapping, you can comfortably carry even a toddler in stretchy wrap. The main complaint I hear about either is that they are hot to wear, due to the material content (it is not very breathable) and the fact that a supportive carry is several layers of not-very-breathable fabric. For Front Carries Only.










Wrapsody Hybrid Stretch- (Brigid/green)

The Wrapsody Hybrid Stretch is one of my favorite options for those on a budget. These are soft, moldable, with just enough stretch, in the right direction, to make for a comfortably supportive carry, yet not so much stretch that they get saggy at a certain weight point. Also, unlike the Moby or Sleepy Wrap, the Hybrid Stretch is thin and breathable, making it much more comfortable to wear in our South Carolina heat. This is the only wrap with stretch that is safe to use in a back carry.

Brady using the Breeze

• Wrapsody Breeze- (Kimber)

The Wrapsody Breeze is a sturdy gauze wrap. It is very breathable and a great choice in the summer. This wrap is never going to be as soft as the Hybrid Stretch (which feels like a well-loved t-shirt), but it is incredibly supportive, even with heavier toddlers. Safe for front, hip, and back carries.

Ellevil Jade long 4 -

Ellevill Jade is a 100% cotton wrap, so it is easy to care for, on the thinner side, and is well broken in (read: soft). Ellevill wraps are known for having long tapers (tapers are the ends of a wrap, often cut at an angle. When laid out, most wraps are shaped like a parallelogram). The longer tapers make for smaller knots when you are tying, which some people do prefer.

Natibaby Graphite Feathers 4-

Emily in Feathers

Natibaby Feathers is a linen blend wrap. Linen is slightly pickier to care for (but don't worry - you don't need to do anything regarding care/washing for wraps while they are in your home), but it's incredibly supportive and breathable. Linen is a top choice for parents with heavier kids who live in hot climates, and this is fantastic addition to the Library for that reason alone. Natibaby wraps in general have a dense, flat weave which makes them a bit slippery, but the linen in this wrap gives it enough grip to make sure that your passes stay in place.

What you can probably do with a size 4 wrap. Note that the mama in the link is a tiny 114 lb person. I'm size 16 and I can actually do most of what's on her list with a size 4, too, albeit with shorter tails.

Hoppediz Acapulco 6-

Hoppediz Acapulco

Hoppediz is a less well known European brand that makes sturdy cotton wraps.

Natibaby Winter 6

Chris, in Winter

Natibaby Winter is a wool blend wrap. Don't let the wool scare you away! Wool isn't just for winter;
this is not a super thick wrap, and the inherent properties of wool make it a great choice for all seasons, since it wicks away moisture and breathes well. Wool is also notoriously smooshy and comfortable on the shoulders. It does require special care and handling while washing, so please, please, do NOT wash this wrap.

What you can do with a size 6 wrap - for the average parent, this is the base size; in other words, what you can do beginner multi layer carries like Front Wrap Cross Carry and Double Hammock in.

 

Didymos Geckos 7-

Katrina, in Geckos

Didymos is one of the oldest woven wrap manufacturers, and Geckos is one of their famous jacquard weaves. Jacquard weaves are great, because they are sturdy, not prone to pulls or snags, and are very supportive. A size 7 is great length for most plus size moms and some dads to start with. It's my preferred size to do a Front Wrap Cross Carry, Double Hammock, and Tandem Wrap in.
 
What you can do with a size 7 wrap.
 




Ring Slings:

Emily in the SBP linen

I love Ring Slings. They are my favorite carrier choice for newborns, due to how easy they are to use, and I am loving ring slings again with my 24 lb 17 month old, who wants front snuggles and to get up and down a lot to explore. We have 2 very different ring slings available to try.

• Sakura Bloom Double silk (orange and Brown) -

Sakura Bloom slings have a gathered shoulder, are very classy and comfortable. This is a natural/raw silk so has a dull sheen and a bit of grip to it. The double layers make it supportive, but may also make it less breathable.

Sleeping Baby natural Linen-

Sleeping Baby is the gold standard in compliant WAHM businesses. This sling has her standard pleated shoulder and is made of oatmeal colored linen, which is a great choice for it's breathability and light weight.

Katrina in Ellaroo MT

Mei Tai:

• Kozy mei tai- (echino owl/tiger)
• Baby Hawk mei tai (star trek)
• Ellaroo- (blue and tan striped)
• Infantino Sash-

All regular Mei Tai are an affordable option that many parents prefer as a go-to carrier. Less expensive than woven wraps, but with similar versatility, and as easy to use as a buckle carrier/SSC, but without the adjusting of clips and buckles. Mei Tai can be used newborn through toddler.



Pouches:

• Hotslings pouch- (Brown with white polka dots, size 4)
• Peanut Shell pouch - size small aqua with brown dots

Pouches are a convenient option for many parents because they fold up small and easily fit in any diaper bag. They are sized though, and must fit the wearer in order to be used safely. These are best used in upright tummy-to-tummy carries with newborns or in a hip carry with older infants and toddlers.


Soft-Structured Carriers:

All of the SSC available in our Lending Library

We have quite a few SSC to choose from, and are always looking for more; they are by far one of our most popular Lending Library items. Why so many? because different carriers fit different bodies and babies differently. What a tall, fluffy mama might find incredibly comfortable, may not fit a petite mama as well, and vice versa. Each carriers shoulder straps and waist fits differently, making trying these before buying one imperative, in my opinion, especially since many of these can't be found in big box stores.

• Ergo (tan with bugs and butterflies, matching infant insert and belt extender)

The original Ergo is a gateway carrier for many parents. The newborn insert is generally used from birth to 3 or 4 months. The purpose is to lift the baby up inside the carrier and provide a narrower seat for a smaller baby. Ergo can be used for front, back, and hip carries for most infants and toddlers, though many parents choose to "size up" to a different carrier in toddler-hood due the short back of the Ergo being problematic for leaners.

• Ergo Sport (Black)-

Like the original Ergo, the Sport is usable as a front, back and hip carrier. What makes it different from the original is more breathability in our hot climate.

Justin, in the Angelpack

• AngelPack--(animal print)

AngelPack is a smaller SSC, some would call it more of a buckle-tai in that the shape of the body is
not as structured as most SSCs, it is more flat and rectangular like a standard mei tai.

• Standard Tula (Spotted Love)-

This Standard Tula is a popular lending item due to the brand's increasing popularity. Tulas are known for their slender shoulder straps and structured waist bands. Standard Tulas fit beginning around age 3 months until sometime close to a year, give or take, depending on your baby.

• Toddler Tula (Prepster) -

The Toddler Tula will fit most 2 year olds, on up, and is popular for many of the same reasons as the Standard size. The main drawback I personally find with the Tula line is that the shoulder straps are sewn onto the body of the carrier, making crossing the straps in back when front carrying impossible.

• Boba 4G

The Boba is a new addition, generously donated by the company. I personally owned a 3G and loved
it - it had a higher back than my previous Ergo making it a good fit for my toddler. I also liked that the waist and shoulder straps were longer, making it a more comfortable fit for my plus size self and extra-tall husband.

Things we are looking to add to the Lending Library:

A Kinderpack - many of you have them, have seen or heard of them, and want to try out their awesomeness. Unfortunately the company itself no longer does Lending Library discounts, so we are on the look out for one at a killer price. If you know of one, please message one of the leaders on Facebook. We did have one in our Library, but it is an older version that has seen a lot of love and is no longer available for lending. We are trying to keep the Library as current as possible, so when you try something and love it, you know what you are buying is very similar to what you already know and love. Ideally, we would love to have both a standard and a toddler sized Kinderpack in our Library.

Woven Wraps: Right now we are on the look out for good shorty wraps. So far our requirements seem to include: different colored rails for ease of use and be made of a sturdy cotton, hemp, or linen blend.

Ring Slings: Ring Slings are also very popular. Any carrier we include in our Library must be made by CPCIA compliant company, so we can not offer any DIY ring slings for loan.

If you have other suggestions of things you'd like to see added to the library, let us know!

Upcoming Events:

 

Thursday, August 28th - Ring Slings and Rebozos - Join us at 10:00 a.m at the LDS Church on Broad River Rd to learn about, troubleshoot, and tweak your Ring Sling and Rebozo knot skills.

 

Saturday, September 6th - Ergonomics of Babywearing - Join us for a special joint event at Capital City Chiropractic. This is a great event to invite new or potential babywearing friends. This starts a little earlier at 9:00 a.m.

 

Saturday, September 13th - Our usual monthly meeting at the LDS Institute on Assembly St. Join us at 10:00 a.m. - You won't want to miss what we have in store!

 

Thursday, September 25th - Our usual monthly weekday meeting at the LDS Church on Broad River Road. We can't wait to share with you what we are planning!

 

International Babywearing Week - October 5th - 11th - We have several events planned, some in person, some will be online only. This is going to be a great opportunity to share the babywearing love, you won't want to miss a thing!

Yes, You Can - Wear Your Baby Facing Out

Happy Blog Day!

As summer draws to a close and many of us look forward to crisp, cooler weather and sending children off to school again, or for the first time, or gather homeschool supplies, I find myself looking backwards - reminiscing over moments from this summer and summers past. It always feels like I did not do enough with my children over the summer. Time goes by so quickly, and the long list of activities I had planned often does not get anywhere near half way done.

Me, wearing two of my three kids

When I am out and about with my three, often wearing one, or sometimes two, of them, there are two questions I get frequently that are hard to answer, yet no matter how often I'm asked, they don't get any easier to respond to. The first question: "where did you get that?" is challenging because the answer is not simple. I vaguely answer "The internet . . ." because explaining Facebook buy/sell/trade groups and various European and American baby carrier makers is not a succinct reply or at all what the curious parent expects to hear. I wish I could say Target. Or Babies R Us. or BuyBuyBaby. These stores do, in fact, sell baby carriers, I just haven't ever bought one there. (But I did try them on! see reviews of the ones available HERE).

The second question I am almost always asked by new parents is, "can you face the baby out in that?" and for the carriers I have owned, the answer, generally speaking, is NO. Which 90% of the time, turns the new parent off entirely. They are no longer curious about what I have to offer, because they insist that their baby loves facing out, and hates facing in. I'll be honest. In the past, I rolled my eyes a bit. I have three kids and have never worn them facing out. Why haven't I? A few reasons.

1) It looks uncomfortable to me, both for me and for the baby.
2) In most carriers where the baby faces out, they are leaning away from the wearer, which really changes your center of gravity and takes a good bit of adjusting to.
3) Until recently, in most carriers where facing out is an option, when baby is facing in towards you, their seat is no more ergonomic than it was facing out.
4) My babies, and toddlers, have all been perfectly content to ride facing me, and once they were older, they were happiest on my back.

The top reasons I hear why parents want a facing out carrier:

1) Baby wants to see and interact with their environment
2) Baby doesn't like and/or seems uncomfortable facing in.
3) Economics - they were given or found one inexpensively and it works for them.

Before I get in to the facing out options, let me give you my ergonomic spiel first. Ergonomics is about comfort, both for you as the wearer, and for your baby or toddler, the wearee. Having a carrier that provides a good seat - that is, it is supportive for your little one across their pelvis and most of their thighs, so that their weight is distributed over a wider base - is far more comfortable for your little one. It's also more comfortable for you, because when baby faces in, their weight is distributed across your torso and hips, and makes wearing your baby for longer periods more comfortable for you, the wearer. A carrier with a wider base of support will also last you longer as your child grows and continues to want to be held or worn. There are tons of other Ergonomic things I could talk about, but I'll link you here for further reading.

What's in a name?



Baby T looks happy to me

You might have heard them called Crotch-Danglers, Front-Packs, or the newer Narrow Based Carrier. I like Narrow Based Carrier (NBC) the best, as it's descriptive without being judgey or having other negative connotations. Nearly all carriers you buy in a big box store fall in this category. Baby Bjorn is the most well known, but other NBCs are made by Chicco, Infantino, Evenflo, and other brands. They all work basically the same, with an X across your back, and a front pack that you slide baby into and snap on the support. Many of the newer versions include a waist belt to help distribute baby's weight better across your hips and torso, so that baby's weight isn't just pulling on your shoulders.

 

Dispelling Myths

Mr. Robinson and Baby B

You might have heard a bit about hip dysplasia and these NBCs. Using a Narrow Based Carrier will not cause your little one to develop hip dysplasia. If your baby already has, or has a medical condition that pre-disposes them to hip dysplasia, you may want to avoid Narrow Based Carriers so that the issue is not exacerbated. But there hasn't been, to my knowledge, any studies proving that hip dysplasia is CAUSED by the use of NBC's.

 

Caveats:

I would not use a NBC in the facing out position for long periods of wearing, especially once your little one is asleep. You and baby will be much more comfortable if baby is facing you, and able to curl into your body to rest.

Mr. S and Baby E enjoying the zoo

I would not use a NBC in the facing out position for a newborn without good head control. Facing out, there is nothing supporting the newborn's head and neck. The instructions in any NBC will agree with me on this.

I would use a NBC in the facing out position for an older baby who wants to see things, especially if I was not yet ready to try back carries.

Ashleigh and Emily demo'ing the NBC

I would use a NBC in the facing out position if I was going to be sitting a lot, like on a bus or train. In my experience, my babies do not like being worn facing in when I'm sitting.

This reads a bit like a Dr. Suess book, but you get the idea There are times and places and situations where facing out can be preferable. So what are your options?

What to buy:

If you want a carrier that can face out, I would get one that is as ergonomic as possible in other positions. This means that there will be some adjustments you will need to make to the panel to get it to fit best depending on how you are wearing it. This may be a pain, but I think you'll appreciate the versatility and longevity of a carrier that is more ergonomic for both of you.

Carriers that meet this criteria: Lillebaby, Beco Gemini, Ergo 360, and the Bjorn ONE. Of these, my favorite (and I've tried them all on, except for Beco) is the Lillebaby. It's the most affordable, at right around $100 brand new, and was by far the most comfortable to put on and easy to figure out. The Ergo 360 is not bad, the main deterrent is a wrap around Velcro waistband. There is nothing positive to say about that waistband. NO.THING. The Bjorn was surprisingly comfortable, once I figured it out. I mostly just found it unnecessarily complicated after the relative ease of the Lillebaby and the Ergo.

Bjorn ONE. decent carrier, price could be better

Ergo 360 - note the waistband -

Stokke - over $200 of unnecessary complications

Chicco NBC - Not our favorite

Can you face out in other carriers?

Stretchy wraps. I've seen this done, and generally I would not advise doing it. When I've seen it done, baby is often very low, the fabric is far too loose, and it just does not look safe. If you can manage a high, snug carry. . .maybe. But mostly I'm going to say, NO.

Woven wraps. I've seen posts. And there is this YouTube video.  (Even Babywearing Faith, who is a well known guru puts this caveat on her video: "I do not normally recommend outward-facing carries; hip carries and high back carries are better options for babies who want to look around. If you REALLY want to do an outward-facing carry in a woven wrap, this is a good way to do it.") I tried it with my 17 month old. He was not a fan, and neither was I, but if you were desperate to have a baby facing out? Maybe . . .  but if your baby wants to see things, come to a meeting and let us help you with hip and back carriers. You and baby will be much happier. Not to mention more comfortable.

Mei Tai.  You would need to cinch the base like you would for a newborn or young baby, but sure, you can forward face in a Mei Tai.

cinched mei tai with hairband

cinched Kinderpack

SSC/Buckle Carriers. Again, you'd need to cinch the base, but it can be done.








Bottom Line: If your baby really wants to face out, I'd buy a carrier designed for that purpose. I've tried, or had friends try the make shift versions, and their babies and mine were not nearly as happy or comfortable as they were in carriers designed for forward facing.


I know many parents whose first carrier was a narrow based carrier, and some of them look back on that purchase with regret. I hear "when you know better, you do better" quite often. If you are one of those parents, take heart. You were wearing your baby. In a safe carrier! You reaped all the benefits of babywearing: you got to bond with your baby, you were hands free, you had a happier baby, you were able to get things done, you might have even figured out how to nurse in your NBC. These are all good things. No. These are GREAT things. Fantastic, even. You, my friend, are a babywearer; no matter if you were using a narrow based carrier, a cut up table cloth, a hand-me down ring sling, an Ergo, a Tula, a Didymos woven wrap, a handwoven woven wrap, or a gorgeous custom creation made by elves in Poland. Babywearing is about wearing your baby. It's not about the carrier.

For those of us that have owned or started with a narrow based carrier and then moved on to other things, that's fabulous! I know you and baby are more comfortable in a more ergonomic carrier. I know you want to get the most out of your babywearing experience. I know other parent-baby dyads that have tried more ergonomic options and keep coming back to the NBC because that is what their baby is happiest in. Who am I to argue with a safe and happy baby?

Did you start with a NBC? What did you love about it? What did you hate about it? Share your experiences in the comments, and upload your pics in our Facebook Group. We love pictures!

Upcoming Events:

 

Ring Slings and Rebozos, Thursday, August 28th and 10 a.m. Read more on how to use Ring Slings here, and Rebozos, here.

 

Ergonomics of Babywearing - a joint event with Capital City Chiropractic - at 9 a.m.

 

As always, we will continue to have online chat on Wednesday evenings, time is variable. Generally between 8 and 9 p.m. is when we start, and we continue until no one is chatting anymore. Join the conversation! It's a great way to catch up midweek.

 

Play dates happen whenever and wherever people want to meet. Mention it in the Facebook group, and we will make it happen. If you need a leader there, or have a specific question you want help with in person, let us know, and we'll figure it out.

Multitasking 101: Feeding Your Baby While Babywearing

It's Sunday, Midlands Babywearers!

What a long weekend it's been - I hope ya'll have enjoyed it as much as our family has. There has been a ton of things to do this week, and I hope you enjoyed some of them. We spent a day at the Lake Murray Dam beach park, went blueberry picking, walked around the zoo, and watched a lot of fireworks. With all of this time out of the house, you better believe we spend a good bit of it babywearing. At one point  I had a sleeping toddler on my back, a nursing one on my front, all while trying to shop for discount organic produce. It was one of those times I was so grateful for having babywearing in my parenting toolbox! *for those that do not know: 14 Carrot on 378 in Lexington puts all of their produce on sale every Thursday and Sunday afternoon from 1-5 p.m. Discount is 30%*



We get a lot of questions in our Facebook group about how to nurse in a baby carrier. We even partnered with La Leche League recently and had a meeting devoted to that topic, and most of the pictures I'm sharing are from that meeting. Nursing a baby (or bottle feeding for that matter) while wearing your baby is a skill that once learned, you will wonder how you ever managed without it. I truly believe anyone can nurse in a carrier, no matter how big or small your breasts are, the size of your baby, or what kind of carrier you have. That said, it is a skill; one you need to practice a bit to get the hang of and figure out what tips and trick work best for you and your baby.

 

 

*a note for bottle feeding moms and dads: this post is for you, too. While many of the positioning techniques are aimed at a nursing mother needing to find that sweet spot for feeding her nursling, most bottle fed babies prefer similar positions for eating and you will likely find those suggestions helpful.

Getting Started

You will notice when nursing in any carrier, lowering and loosening the carrier is usually one of the first things you do in order to bring baby into a better position with the breast. Even so, please keep TICKS in mind:

Tight (your carrier will likely be looser than normal while baby is feeding, but should still be snug enough to be secure)
In sight at all times
Close enough to kiss (this can be fudged a bit while baby is eating)
Keep chin off chest (take note while baby is eating that you can see/feel sucks, swallows and breathing)
Supported back

Once baby is done eating, it's best to bring baby back up to kissable level and snug up your carrier, so that baby doesn't slouch down in the loosened carrier. You want to ensure that baby is in a position from which you can easily monitor their airway and breathing, especially newborns and younger babies that don't communicate as loudly or as readily as their older counterparts.

A note on clothing: Most find it easiest to wear either lower cut tops or button downs and just pull boob over the top when nursing in a carrier. As I go through nursing in each type of carrier, I'll include tips to helping to stay discreet while nursing in a carrier, for those moms and situations that prefer to be more covered.

Before I begin, if you are a member of Babywearing 102 on Facebook, they have already done a handy file on this topic HERE.

Ring Slings

Emily demonstrating
nursing in cradle hold

Ring Slings are one of my favorite carriers to nurse in. They are relatively easy to wear, there is not a lot of fiddling and adjusting to do between nursing and not-nursing positions, and they are great for both newborns and toddlers. Cons: you can only easily nurse from one breast while wearing (in order to nurse from the other side, you need to take the carrier off, adjust the rings, put baby back in . . . ), and it isn't completely hands free, especially for newborns or women with large breasts (true for nursing in most carriers, unfortunately).

With a newborn: you can nurse in cradle hold or upright. In cradle hold, you will loosen the top rail enough (by lifting and separating the rings) to tilt baby to the breast opposite the rings. Baby should be laying perpendicular to your breast, just as he would as if he were in your arms for cradle hold. You may feel the need to support your baby's head with your hand or arm on the same side as the breast that is being nursed from. Now your hand that is on the ring side is free to help your baby latch, support your breast, or do other, non-nursing related things (like shop, or hold your coffee, or eat!). While this is not completely hands free, it is much easier than nursing with a babe in your arms while you walk  around or do other things that need doing. Nursing upright: if your baby has a big more head control, you can nurse baby upright while in a ring sling. Your baby is most likely already upright in the tummy-to-tummy position when you are using the ring sling. You want your baby to maintain that same position, just lower, and moved to the side a bit, for nursing.

With an older baby or toddler: If you are using a ring sling for your older baby or toddler, you are probably wearing them a little lower and more on your hip. Nursing from this position is fairly simple: just lower/loosen the sling until baby is at the right level to nurse, get baby latched, and then snug up the sling by tightening along the top rail and center of the sling to make things more secure.

Tip for discretion: use the tail of your sling as a nursing cover to hide the top part of your breast if desired.

Video HERE (sorry, embedded video isn't working for some reason. grrr)

Mei Tai and Buckle Carriers



Katrina nursing in a SSC

With either of these carriers, you want to buckle or tie the waistband lower than you normally wear. If this is your first time trying to nurse in a buckle carrier or mei tai, first hold your baby at nipple level, upright, without a carrier on. That will give you an idea how low you will be wearing your carrier. Now, I'm a very short person - 4 foot 11 inches - and I'm pretty big chested (38F) so trust me, I understand how challenging finding the sweet spot can be, and it will change as your baby grows.
Once the waist is secure, seat your baby and secure the shoulder straps, allowing enough slack to adjust your clothing and room for baby to lean to which ever side he is nursing from, but not too much that he is no longer secure. Once you are in a good position, allow baby access to the breast and you are pretty much hands free.

Jackie shows how
using a hood provides added coverage

*tip* - even with older babies and experienced nursing moms, you may find it helpful to use one hand to support/aim your breast for baby. Some well endowed mamas use a rolled up receiving blanket or burp cloth under their breast for more support.

As with any carrier, once baby is done nursing, bring him up to kissable level again by lifting him up and tightening first the waist band and then the shoulder straps.

*tip*  babywearing seems to work really well for babies to release gas - especially burping. You may want to keep a spare cloth handy for any spit up that might occur. And relax, all carriers are washable, and breastmilk and formula will definitely come out.

*tip* for discretion - sleeping hoods that come with most mei tai and buckle carriers make great nursing covers. They also support baby's head if he starts to drowse while eating.

Video HERE

Woven and Stretchy Wraps

nursing in FWCC

You will most likely be doing some variation of Front Wrap Cross Carry (or Pocket Wrap Cross Carry) if you are starting out trying to nurse in a wrap. Whether you are using a woven or stretchy wrap, the idea is the same. I like to start with baby at a kissable height, nice and snug, and then I untie the tails at my waist or back to let a little slack, and then bounce baby down until they are a good nipple height, and then tie the tails again.











Hip carries are also a great alternative in a shorter woven wrap (like Robins or Poppins) because baby is generally already at the perfect nursing height.

Laura nurses in a rebozo carry using a pink wrap

Video for nursing in a semi FWCC
Video for nursing in a stretchy wrap
Video for nursing in Robin's Hip Carry

*tip* for bottle feeding in any carrier: instead of angling baby in towards your body, angle them slightly out so that they can easily get the bottle.

Bottom line - you can do this! Keep practicing, and it will become second nature - it helps to get really comfortable with your carrier first, and with nursing in these positions before trying to combine the two skillsets.  The more you do it, the easier it is, before it just is part of what you do. I remember the first time I tried putting my baby in a 5 point harness. I fumbled so badly my hands were shaking and I was sure the nurse looking over my shoulder was judging me. Now, I can practically do and undo a 5 point harness one-handed with my eyes closed. Nursing in a carrier is no more challenging a skill to learn.

Upcoming Events:

Want to get your hands on, and babies in, some of these carriers? We will help you find what works best for you at one of our meetings or play dates. Meetings are held twice a month - one on Thursday, one on Saturday.

Saturday, July 12th at 10:00 a.m. - Come join us for babywearing yoga. Our Thursday meeting was a great success and I can't wait to join the fun at the Saturday meeting. This short session is suitable for all fitness levels and ages. There will be ample time after for discussion and questions. You will find us at the LDS Institute of Religion, 610 Assembly St, Columbia, SC 29201

 

Thursday, July 24th at 10:00 a.m. - Intro to wrapping.  - We'll be leading the grown ups through basic front, hip, and back carries, and our Junior leaders (the daughters of Chris and Jackie) will be showing any children that want to learn how to wrap, too. Check out how to make, and where to buy, kid carriers HERE. You will find us at the LDS church on 7449 Broad River Rd, Columbia, SC

Every Wednesday night, at 8:30, is our live chat. We get online to catch up with each other and see what's going on - both babywearing and not-babywearing related.  

We also have play dates scheduled on an as requested basis, stay tuned in our Facebook Group for more details.

 

 

A walk down memory lane, a look at where we are now, and a glimpse of the future

Happy Monday, Midlands Babywearers!

What better way to perk up your Monday than with a blog post? I hope everyone's weekend was as busy and fun-filled as ours was. We had a great meeting on Saturday, birthday party after, and then our family spent the night at the Big Mo watching How to Train Your Dragon 2. If you've not been to the Big Mo with your family, it's worth the drive. There is no more family friendly movie viewing venue than this landmark drive-in. There is playground equipment for the kids to scramble on while you wait for the movie to start, reasonably priced concessions if you don't bring your own food, and the price can't be beat ($8 per adult for a double feature, $4 for kids 4 and up, 3 and under are free). I spotted at least one other fellow babywearer out there, using a ring sling. My only caveat is that you should bring bug spray. But that's the South, right?

 

Memory Lane . . .

Chris,
at one of the earliest meetings

Back to business - you all may or may not know, but Sunday, June 15th marked our six month anniversary! On one hand, I can't believe it's been only 6 months! We've grown to well over 300 members in a very short time frame, and I think we feel so much more established than that 6 month time frame implies. It wasn't too long ago a group of us met at Saluda Shoals and began planning this group. There was a babywearing community already in existence, but it seemed stagnant at the time, and we wanted to get more involved and make it more dynamic, and grow!

So, we gathered again, and again, and through a lot of discussion, thought, and prayer, Babywearers of the Midlands was born January 15th, 2014. We couldn't be more proud of this open, welcoming, and positive group of parents that form our local babywearing community. We are awesome because YOU are awesome. The generosity and kindness we see everyday in the Facebook group astounds me. We love you guys!

This blog has been my personal pet project - In the last six months we've covered different carrier types, like Ring Slings, and SSC/Buckle Carriers. We've talked about how to wear in all types of weather (Hot and Cold), Babywearing basics, including where to buy both online and locally (and how to afford it), how to care for your carrier, why we wear (both ergonomically and emotionally.) We've covered babywearing for newborns and for toddlers, babywearing for dads and plus size moms. We've shown you front carries and back carries. And yet! this is only the tip of the iceberg! There is so much we can talk about when it comes to babywearing. We could talk about it all day long - I almost feel like I'm writing a babywearing version of Green Eggs and Ham. (I could wear him here or there, I could wear him anywhere!)

Katrina, wearing T at the Zoo

I've gotten personal and I would really love if some of you would, too. There is something so fascinating about hearing someone else's journey. If any one of you want to talk about your babywearing journey (whether you've been wearing for 6 months, 6 years, or 16 years), we would really love it if you'd want to do a guest post and share it with us.

 

Where we are now . . .

Especially for those new to the group, this is what we do. We have two Official meetings each month.  Each meeting has a specific topic which we spend about 30 minutes covering, then the meeting opens up for questions, carrier troubleshooting, and lending library rentals. Meetings generally last about 90 minutes total, but have known to both go longer and shorter than that.

Our Saturday meeting is held at the LDS Institute of Religion located at 610 Assembly St, Columbia, SC. There is ample parking, we bring toys for the toddlers to play with, and there is really no time limit on our use of the building.

Our Thursday meeting is held at the LDS Church located at 7449 Broad River Rd, Columbia, SC. We have use of the large gymnasium area, and all of the church nursery toys are available for our use, and again, we don't really have a limit on the time we use the building.

Both buildings are peanut-free facilities, so we always ask that you choose any snacks and drinks you bring with your children carefully. Both meetings start roughly at 10:00 a.m. and last as long as needed to make sure everyone is helped. It is our goal that no one walks away from a meeting with questions unanswered. That's one reason why we have as many admins/leaders as we do, and why we encourage peer-to-peer help. Don't be afraid to ask questions, and don't think that you are unqualified to answer. We are all Babywearers with experience and knowledge to share. As leaders, myself, Jackie, Chris, Emily, and Ashleigh, feel it's our responsibility to bring structure to the group, to maintain a harmonious vibe, and generally oversee things.

Melissa, Chris, and Emily at a play date

We also schedule play dates as often as we can, sometimes as much as once or twice a week. These are opportunities to socialize, get informal help, and try out carries and carriers outside of the formal meeting structure. There's usually at least one or two leaders present at play dates, and we try to vary the locations, to cover the wide area that is the midlands, including the Northeast, Irmo, and in the future we'd love to schedule some play dates further afield to meet the Babywearers who live on the outskirts of Columbia.

Every Wednesday evening, around 8:30 p.m., we have a live chat where we talk about everything going on with us, babywearing or not. It's a fun time to catch up with friends that sometimes have a hard time making it to meetings, due to work or family logistics, and or just talk with some other adults.

If you ever want to schedule a play date, post on the wall in the Facebook group, and we will work it out. This also goes for things like "Hey, I'm headed to the Zoo! anybody want to join?" type things. We love things like this - it helps us get to know each other better, builds friendships and community. All good things!

 

A Glimpse in the Future



A peek at our promotional flyer

As we grow, we are developing a more public presence. This is both exciting and terrifying for us, as we join the public stage. It's great that we are being asked to have a voice in the local community, and it's even better that we are seeing babywearing become more common in the Midlands. We love babywearing (obviously), and we love to share it, too! To this end, we've been asked to join the Midlands Baby and Kids Expo later this month (June 28th). We'll have a table and do a live demonstration on babywearing. It looks to be a huge event, with lots of vendors and attendees. We hope to see many of you there, and possibly meet some new Babywearers. We did a smaller event in April, in conjunction with the Great Cloth Diaper Change, and this looks to be at least double in size. We are very excited to participate, and looking forward to doing many more events like this in the future.

Come check us out!