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.

Yes, You Can! -Make Your Own Baby Carrier

Happy Blog Day!

Leader Chris, leading the invasion
of Isle of Palms

Yesterday, some of us headed to Isle of Palms in a Babywearing Beach Invasion; those of us who stayed here appeared to have invaded Soda City - I saw lots of fellow Babywearers there, some I knew and some were new faces. I love seeing people babywearing!

Today's post is a guest post written by Rachael, a local mom who has started making carriers for her own personal use. She's kind enough to write up a guest post detailing the ins and outs of DIY baby carriers.

Even if you don't plan on making your own carriers, I recommend reading this to get an idea of things to look for if you ever shop for carriers on Etsy. The next blog post will go into more detail on Etsy sellers, what to look for, and what it means to be a member of BCIA (which is optional, but open to all), and compliant with CPSIA regulations (which is NOT optional). It's important to pay attention to details like materials and construction when purchasing WAHM (work at home mom) made carriers. Many of the makers out there make quality, safe, products that we'd happily recommend. There are others, I think that perhaps just do not know better, or choose to not educate themselves, that are not worth buying. Educating yourself on DIY carriers gives any consumer at least a basic idea in what to look for in a carrier made by a WAHM/Etsy/Facebook only seller. In addition, it helps to research BCIA/CPSIA compliance and what to look for. These regulations are new, and many sellers are still working on full compliance.

DIY Babywearing

Caution: Continue on at your own risk, DIY babywearing is both fun and addictive.
People DIY for different reasons. It can be for fun, because it's more affordable, or just because you want to. DIY is what really got me into babywearing. I made my first osnaburg wrap and fell in love with wearing and have not stopped since. Helping people wear their babies is very important to me and many other members of Babywearers of the Midlands, so this blog post is here to help you on your journey of DIY babywearing and hopefully answers some frequently asked questions.

Regardless of your reason for wanting to DIY, we can all agree that the number one thing is safety. Always look over your carrier for wear and tear, especially in areas of frequent use like where the fabric slides through the rings on a ring sling. Also, check all seams and stitching for ripped or torn stitches before each use and after each wash. For each DIY category I will list acceptable and non acceptable materials because they can differ from carrier to carrier. You always want to use high quality thread like Gutterman, and a brand new needle appropriate for your fabric and sewing machine.

 

DIY stretchy wrap

Amber, using a DIY stretchy wrap

Materials: Any jersey knit fabric (think Moby wrap)
These are quite possibly the easiest DIY carrier to make. Buy the fabric, cut the fabric to 30 inches wide, hem or serge the edges, which is optional because this knit won't unravel. These wraps are not safe for back carries. I personally did not make one because I had a Moby, but I hear good things from those who have made!

 

 

 

 

DIY Woven Wrap

Materials: Jaquard woven tablecloths (Mahogany brand are popular for shorties), cotton gauze, 100% linen (not the thin stuff, the thick kind you use for making pants), or Osnaburg found in the muslin section of most craft stores.

Not acceptable: quilter's cotton, regular muslin, anything thin that can pull apart easily.

These are also extremely easy to make if you can sew a straight line. If it's a little crooked no one will notice, trust me. If you split a Mahogany or any other 60X120 tablecloth, you only have to make one hem and you're done. Any other material can be tricky because you have to buy more length than you'd like to end up with. It will shrink after the initial wash. I don't like to think too hard about it. If I want 5 yards (roughly a size 6 wrap) I buy 6 yards, or a little extra, because you can always cut it smaller.  Fabric generally comes 45-60 inches wide on the bolt so you will have to cut it down in width too. I prefer wider wraps so I shoot for around 30 inches, but anywhere from 26-30 inches is normal. I currently have three different DIY wraps. I have an osnaburg wrap dyed purple and pink, a 100% linen wrap in a size 5, and a Mahogany table cloth shorty.

Mahogany Table Cloth (TC) shorty

The top is a 100% linen wrap and the bottom is an osnaburg wrap.

Ring Slings

Materials: Jaquard woven fabric (Mahogany tablecloths), 100% linen or 100% cotton woven tablecloths (Target tablecloths are popular in the DIY babywearing world), osnaburg  fabric, 100% silk, or athletic mesh (water ring slings)

DON'T USE: quilters cotton, gauze, anything that rips or tears easily or is thin.

Tablecloth Ring Sling

When it comes to making ring slings, Jan's tutorial at Sleeping Baby Productions (http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/sling.html) is considered to be one of the best. She even includes video tutorials for those visual learners like me. Her website includes information on materials to use. In my opinion, you should only use rings from Slingrings.com as they are made specifically for babywearing ring slings. They are safety tested and made smooth so they won't snag and jeopardize the baby's safety. They are affordable, come in many sizes and colors, and will be delivered to your mailbox within a week. I prefer to use the steel rings for everything but athletic mesh, but that is mostly personal preference.

 

Here's where I admit my tablecloth addiction. I ADORE my tablecloth ring slings. I find myself buying tablecloths when I don't even have rings on hand to make a sling. If I know you and you're pregnant, don't ask me about babywearing because I will make you a ring sling. But really, ask me about it because I want to make you a ring sling.
 

 

Mei Tai's, SSCs, and more.

Rachael and her DIY mei-tai

These I am grouping into the same category because they use the same main material for support. You always want to use a heavy duty bottom weight fabric, like duck canvas, for the straps and body pieces of  mei tai's and SSCs. I have never ventured into the SSC creating realm because I am too lazy to find the proper buckles, but I absolutely adore my home made mei tais.

There are a handful of good tutorials out there. I picked two I liked and combined them together. I will list a few good ones below.

Aside from the materials, the next most important part of making a mei tair or SSC is understanding which parts are weight bearing and need reinforcement. The straps should be attached with x-box stitching and the bottom should include multiple rows of stitching.

 I really enjoy the mei tai because you can have fun with it and customize it how you want.

This is the first mei tai I made. It's duck canvas for the body and straps with a decorative quilters cotton panel on the front, with a fleece lining to make it soft and snuggly for baby. We rocked this thing all winter long.

 

Hobo Mama's mei tai tutorial http://www.hobomama.com/2012/03/how-to-sew-mei-tai-baby-carrier.html

You're Sew Crafty's mei tai tutorial. Shows a contoured waist, straight waist, and wrap straps. http://youre-sew-crafty.blogspot.com/2012/12/table-cloth-mei-tai-tcmt.html

 

Resources

If you have any questions about DIYing your own carrier please do not hesitate to ask us at Babywears of the Midlands, but you can also find valuable information at:

DIY babywearing facebook page for info about all things DIY.
 

Dyed baby carriers facebook page for info about dying your own carriers.  
 

Sleeping baby productions

 

Thanks for reading this blog post. Happy babywearing!

 

Upcoming Events

 

 

Tuesday, July 29th - Come play with us at the Clemson Children's Garden. This is a great play area with lots for kids to discover and plenty of shade.

 

 

Rachel - Ring Sling

Laura - Rebozo

Saturday August 9th - 10 a.m. at the LDS Institute of Religion on Assembly Street - we'll be demonstrating and trouble shooting how to do a rebozo knot and how to use ring slings - both great options for short carries that don't use much fabric and are therefore great carries/carriers in the summer heat.

 

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.

 

 

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!

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!