Happy Blog Day!

Today is the kick-off for International Babywearing Week, and we couldn't be more excited for what we have planned for y'all this week. Meetings nearly every day this week, joint ventures with BWI Columbia, giveaways, online only events . . . there is a way for every one of our 400+ members to take part.

Recent BotM Zoo Invasion

 

The theme this year is Share the Adventure. This really hits home for me, and I think, should, hit home for most of you. If we were all in a room together and I asked you to stand up if the generosity of a friend or stranger helped you to begin or further your babwearing journey, I would bet big money that not one of you would be sitting down. Somewhere along the line, someone introduced you to the idea of babywearing. Along the line, another someone probably helped you perfect the use of that carrier, or introduced you to a different one that you liked even better. And another person perhaps showed you a different way to wear that carrier. We don't exist in a vacuum, and babywearing is such a community effort. If you haven't already, please check out this fantastic video a local mama made featuring our local babywearing groups:






Babywearing connects us, as parents, with total strangers, all because of a tool in our parenting toolbox. I'm reminded of myself, a few years ago, when I bought my first new car. It was a Toyota Scion XB. The cars weren't all that common then, and still aren't now (which is a shame. They are AWESOME cars). Whenever I'd see another one on the road, we'd wave and honk at each other. Completely silly, of course, but just the fact that we owned the same vehicle forged a connection, albeit brief, between total strangers. Babywearing is much the same - you see a babywearer out in public and nudge your spouse or companion, "Look, honey, she's wearing a Kinderpack!" and shyly wave, or even approach this complete stranger, gushing like you are meeting a celebrity, "I love your carrier! It's a Kinderpack, right? Your baby looks like they love it. Do you like it?" Maybe you invite them to a babywearing meeting. Maybe you never see them again, but for that moment in time, you know you met a kindred spirit, and that is always a remarkable thing.

Rachel, Sharing the Adventure at Finley Park

Now, if I were to ask you how many of you have shared a carrier, or knowledge of carriers with someone (friend, family, stranger) - would all of you still be standing? I know most of the 400 of you, at least in passing, and I'd wager to say yes. Since the first month we launched Babywearers of the Midlands, we've heard stories and seen how generous each of you has been with your personal carriers, loaning them to friends, even giving away, for free or very cheaply, your own carriers to friends or strangers you knew needed them.

Jennifer shared the adventure
 with her husband

You've shared your knowledge within our Facebook group, answering questions, posting pictures, meeting one on one with people that can't make it to a meeting. This sort of peer-to-peer help is what the babywearing community is based on. Historically, that's how it has been done. None of us here are professional babywearers. We don't "do" certifications. But I, and the rest of the admin team, believe each of you has expertise to share. You are experts in how to use the carriers you have. You are the expert when it comes to your own baby and what they prefer. (another analogy, if you'll forgive the churchiness of it, is the idea of the priesthood of believers - that is, in our case, just by being a babywearer, you are an expert, just as by being a believer, you are a priest, and all believers are equal under God). It also means that each one of us, no matter if we have been wearing for a week or a decade, has more to learn. New carriers are being developed, there are new safety standards to figure out, there are new manufacturers and cottage businesses cropping up all over the place. Babywearing is a hot topic right now, and that is truly amazing.

Me, with borrowed Green Wool Fish

One more personal anecdote before I get into what's coming up this week. A few days ago, I posted a blog on how great wool is. Confession: I've never owned it, or really had the chance to play with it for more than a few minutes. I've played with wool wraps owned by friends, and wrapped with the lending library Snowflake wrap, but I've never really tried to really get to know wool. I've been terrified of felting (at one of my very first babywearing meetings, I saw a felted wool wrap. It was devastating). But, since doing the blog post, I've decided to take the plunge and at least give it a shot.

On a different Facebook group, I asked for suggestions for wraps for my nearly 3 year old daughter that loves green.  Many people chimed in with their suggestions (Everything from Yew Indio, to Kokoskaa Fern, to Didymos Pfau in various shades of green), but one person, who used to live here in Columbia but has since moved to Nashville, actually said she'd let me try hers, and mailed to me a wrap a couple days later. So, as a result, Green Wool Fish is visiting, and I have learned something else new.

What have I learned? It really is the smooshiest fiber. And yet, it threw me for a loop when I first tried to get my youngest up, because it has a stretch and moldability to it that I'm not used to (both are wonderful things, by the way) but I had to re-wrap several times (which is not something I do much of anymore) before I finally got both him and I in a semi-reasonable carry. I can't wait until my daughter gets home from visiting her Nana and I can wrap her up in its smooshy greenness! Hooray for generous friends, and Sharing the Adventure!

Upcoming Events

please see the event links for complete details

 

Monday, October 6th - Join us at the Richland County Public Library (downtown, on Assembly Street) for Storytime. In between the two stories, we'll be discussing the benefits of babywearing and will be available to answer questions. This is a great opportunity to take advantage of one of RCPL many free events, meet new friends, and share a bit of babywearing knowledge.

 

 

Tuesday, October 7th - Join us at the LDS church on Broad River Rd where fellow babywearer Kara will lead us in a Crossfit workout, all while babywearing. Wear comfortable clothes, bring your carriers, and babies, and get fit together! There will be toys and room for older children to play as well.

 

 

 

Wednesday, October 8th - Join us for an afternoon playdate - we'll be at the Clemson Children's Garden at 4:00 p.m. until . . . If you've never been to the Children's Garden, it's across from Sandhills, buried at the back of the Clemson University complex. Grab a beverage from Starbucks drive-thru, and join us at this adorable play area. There is a sandbox, kid size houses and gardens, and lots of open space.

 

Thursday, October 9th - Join us for Lunch at the State Fair - your $5.00 admission fee is refunded when you leave before 2:00 p.m.

 

Friday, October 10th - Join us in Downtown Lexington. We are going to meet at the 9/11 monument for a quick photo op, walk down Main Street, and around to Virginia Hylton Park. Bring a friend and a picnic lunch.

 

Saturday, October 11th - Join us as we join forces with BWI Columbia and other SC babywearing groups to invade the zoo, a favorite babywearing destination.

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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.

 

 

Back to the Beginning - Wearing a Newborn

Happy Sunday, Midlands Babywearers!

What an amazing week we've had! The weather has been gorgeous, the pollen has invaded our world, and we've ran our first successful fundraiser! We'll be able to add two carriers to our Lending Library, we can't wait to debut them in the very near future! Thank you  to everyone who placed an amber necklace order, we'll keep you posted as they ship and when they arrive.

Warning - this post will include lots of pictures of very young babies. If you are at all prone to baby fever, you may want to skip this post *wink*

We get a lot of questions from first time parents, and pregnant mamas new to babywearing, about what is the best carrier they can get for a newborn. I'm going to go through the most common types of carriers and rate them based on ease of use, nursing, versatility for mom and dad, longevity (will it last you through toddlerhood?), and cost, each on a scale of 1-5. Especially on the cost element, the rating will be variable, but I'll include a link to a couple options to give you an idea. These are not listed in any particular order.

Stretchy wraps

Amber, with baby #1

Katrina, nursing N in a K'tan

Stretchy wraps are basically a long, long piece of knit cotton. They are soft and stretchy, very comfortable for a young, lightweight baby. Examples include: Moby wrap, Sleepy/Boba wrap, Infantino makes one now, and the Baby K'tan. These are great beginner carriers, a bit of a learning curve is involved to figure out how to use them, but you can get it mostly situated (tie it before putting baby in) which helps with the ease of use. This carrier is for front carries only. Do not attempt back carries in a stretchy wrap, the fabric sags too much and your baby is not safe. Great for both mom and dads, as these are available in many gender neutral colors and patterns.

One downside is that these can get a little hot in summer, due to all the layers of fabric, and the blend of fibers (cotton and spandex or lycra) is not the most breathable option. A great option that's a little more pricey (but still very affordable) is the Gyspy Mama Bali Hybrid Stretch. It's still soft, but thinner and more breathable, plus it's much more supportive than the traditional stretchy wraps. You can nurse in any version of a stretchy wrap, as you can in any carrier, with a bit of practice, though I wouldn't call them the easiest to nurse in. Most babies will become too heavy for this carrier in the 12-15 lb range. After the 15 lb mark, these can continue to be useful and comfortable as long as you continue to wrap very tightly; they will continue to be supportive. But again, these are only for FRONT carries. Many parents prefer to move baby to back carriers around 5-6 months of age, once baby has good head control and is starting to try to sit up. After the 15 lb mark, the fabric sags more easily, unless you are a very careful, tight wrapper, and many parents find it pulls on their backs and is less comfortable.

Depending on the size of your baby, you will get 2-6 months of use from this carrier. Buying one (new) ranges between $40-$80 dollars (for the Bali Stretch). You will probably be able to resell a Moby for about half its original value, and the Bali Stretch for nearly all of its original value (though the Bali Stretch you can use for much longer weight wise). The Baby K'tan is three loops of stretchy fabric that requires no tying, but mimics the carry you do with a Moby or Boba Wrap. I found it much easier to use, though you must buy the correct size to ensure a proper fit, which means that you may not be able to share this carrier between parents.

Ease of Use: 3.5 (the baby k'tan I'd say was closer to a 5, but most wraps are closer to a 3 for the learning curve and amount of fabric can be overwhelming)
Nursing: 2 - it's possible, but I don't know anyone that has found this the easiest carrier to nurse in. It's difficult to maintain the snugness of the wrap while lowering baby to the right level for nursing.
Versatility: 4 - both mom and dads can use the same carrier easily, except for the Baby K'tan
Longevity: 1 - this has the shortest life span of any carrier I know of.
Cost: 1 - one of the most affordable options, especially if you buy used or can DIY.

Where to buy - most big box retailers carry Moby on their shelves, and often the Baby K'tan, too. Links listed here: Moby, Boba Wrap, Infantino Sync, Baby K'tan, Wrapsody/Bali Breeze Hybrid Stretch

Woven Wraps

Chris and baby S

Laura and squish

Like the stretchy wrap, a woven wrap is a long piece of fabric that you tie to yourself to secure your baby. Unlike a stretchy wrap, a woven wrap is not knit fabric. The fabric is woven especially for babywearing with the right blend of give and support that makes it both comfortable and secure for long periods of time. Woven wraps can be used for newborns and continue to be used until your child no longer wants to be worn. You can even use a woven wrap to wrap a newborn on your back, since the baby can be secured high enough to be safe, and sturdy enough they will sag or slump out of it, compromising their airway and safety.

Our first successful back carry!

Caveat regarding newborn back wearing: this is an advanced skill. In most of the babywearing community you will see it recommended for people who have been wrapping a while (and therefore on their 2nd or subsequent wrapped baby). Wrapping a newborn on your back is hard work - you need to get baby very high, as in the picture you see with Laura and her youngest. You must pay extra attention to making sure baby is as upright and supported as possible to maintain their airway. I maintain that a newer wearer *can* learn this, if they are patient, persistent, and are very careful. Having access to help (like your local babywearing group) is key for this. Full Disclosure: I was this mom. I wore my first kid, in a Moby wrap at first, and later in an Ergo. My second baby was born when my first was 22 months old, and I wanted her on my back (so I could carry my oldest and DO ALL THE THINGS more easily) as soon as possible, and this seemed to be most possible in a woven wrap. I researched, I asked the local babywearing group, and I dived head first into back-wrapping her when she was 8 weeks old with my first woven wrap. Like any new back-wrapper, sweat, tears, bad words, and lots of bent over shuffling to a mirror happened before we had our first successful back carry.

Generally speaking - it really is best to wait until 4-6 months for back wrapping. Having a larger baby makes a TON of difference in how easy it is to wrap them. You don't need to reach as high to get your passes over their tiny bodies. They cooperate (read: cling) much better.  Babywearing is a lot like breastfeeding. Both you and baby have to learn how to do it. As you gain confidence, baby will be much calmer and easier to wrap. That's why it's a good idea to be comfortable with front carries first, before moving to back carries. Trust me, once baby is on your back, you will love having them there! Except, of course, when they spit up down your shirt, or into your hair . . . But there is time for that. My daughter is now almost 3 years old, and her happy spot is still on my back, wrapped or not, she loves to climb up and snuggle her head between my shoulder blades.



FWCC - the passes are bunched
instead of spread, here.

Using a woven wrap in a front carry is accomplished the same way you do a stretchy wrap, only since the fabric is NOT stretchy, it is more supportive and you do not need to get it as tight to your body before putting in baby. However, again, since it is not stretchy, but woven, you need to take a little more time once baby is in the wrap to make sure it is the appropriate snugness,  before you tie it. More on the Front Wrap Cross Carry (commonly used for newborns) that can be done in either a stretchy or woven wrap can be found HERE. 

Woven wraps can fit anybody, especially the most common starter size, which is a size 6, will easily work for both mom and dad. With woven wraps it is not so much about "will it fit" but more about "what can you do" with a certain size. Woven wraps are very variable in price. You can find woven wraps for around $100 new for a size 6, especially if you are buying used, or from a budget-friendly brand, like Storchenwiege, Little Frog, Dolcino, Hoppediz, etc. The prices can get closer to $200 for other brands, like Kokadi, Natibaby, Oscha,  Didymos, or Vatanai. The main things I encourage people who are looking for their first woven to look for are 100% cotton fabrics (these are easy to care for and maintain, and hold up really well. They also soften up nicely, in most cases), and something pretty that you love the look of. If you are new to wrapping, having different colored edges (rails) is handy as are stripes, as it makes tightening the wrap a bit easier. If this is the option you want, but maybe not the price point you can afford, read more about Babywearing on a Budget, HERE.

Ease of Use: 2 - Woven Wraps have one of the steepest learning curves, but once you know how, it's a great tool in your parenting toolbox
Nursing: 3 - definitely possible, but sometimes a little tricky to get started. Once you find the sweet spot (how low you need to get baby), it works wonderfully.
Versatility: 5 - a great carrier to share between parents - however many men prefer the ease of buckles to wrapping.
Longevity: 5 - this will last you well into toddlerhood. While there is a "weight" limit on any baby carrier, you can carry any size child in a woven wrap.
Cost: 3-5 - there is an option for most budgets.

Where to buy: if you are buying new, check out some great websites like Purple Elm Baby, Marsupial Mamas, Hip Mommy, Birdies Room, or the manufacture's websites for the brands listed above. Used, check out The Babywearing Swap, but read our How-to-Navigate the Swap post HERE, first.

Mei Tai

Chris and Blayne, same baby, same MT

Whether you say this May-Tie or My-Tie, the truth is, this is a great carrier for any age. The Mei Tai can easily be adapted for use for a newborn and last you through toddlerhood. What makes it a great choice for a newborn is mostly ease of use for the parent. It is a rectangular piece of fabric, with long straps at each of the four corners. Depending on the waist band, it can either be rolled under to shorten for a younger baby, or you can use a hair tie/scrunchie to cinch the base to fit a young baby/newborn better. As long as the back comes high enough to support the baby's head/neck, it is a good fit.



Cinched MT, to better fit newborn

Mei Tai are easy to use, with far less overwhelming fabric than a stretchy wrap. The long straps make it easy to go between parents for wearing the baby, but can be a literal drag in parking lots (one of the only cons to this carrier). There are many gender neutral patterns out to make it daddy-friendly. Nursing in it is as easy as lowering the baby to boob height and getting him or her access. As long as your baby is comfortable eating upright, you should be ok (and some reflux-y babies prefer to eat upright).  This carrier should last you at least through your baby's first year, depending on how tall they are. Weight wise, the carriers are rated at least to 35 lbs. You can also back carry in a Mei Tai (yes, even a newborn! - because it is possible to get baby good and high on your back so that you can make sure their airway stays open and you can keep a good eye/feel on their breathing - though the same caveats apply to back wrapping a newborn). You can find new Mei Tai (like the Infantino Sash) in stores for under $40, DIY them, Babyhawk is another good brand (though online only), and also there are high end versions converted from woven wraps that are on the extreme high end of the budget (more than $300 in some cases).

Anne and squish

Ease of Use: 4 - there is a learning curve on how to tie, but it is much easier than wrapping multiple yards of fabric
Nursing: 4
Versatility:5 - a great carrier to share between parents
Longevity: 4 - depending on the brand of carrier and size of your baby, this can last you beyond the first year, making it a great option for a "one and only" carrier
Cost: 2-5 - there is an option in any budget range.

Where to buy: Infantino Sash Mei, Babyhawk Mei Tai, Zanytoes (shows a few options to show price range)

Pouch Carrier

Melissa and H

This carrier is exactly as it sounds - a long pouch draped from one shoulder to wear your baby in. I do not recommend it for newborns, as it is best for any baby to worn upright in it, and it can be a challenge to get a pouch to fit snugly enough to accomplish that on a newborn. Go back to our Ergonomics post to make sure that you can check all the boxes in TICKS. It looks easy to use and is a viable option for older babies as a hip carrier. It's small and can fit in a purse or diaper bag easily. There isn't any adusting a pouch, (adjustable pouches exist, mostly by means of a set of snaps on the shoulder or rings sewn into both ends of the fabric. These don't really affect the fit on the baby as much as make it semi-usable between two wearers). Pouches (like the ones often offered up on SevenSlings.com free for shipping), are very affordable, and many are given as baby shower gifts. They are difficult to nurse in, due to the lack of adjustability. I think this is a decent option for quickly popping an older baby (5-10) months on your hip for quick trips, but the fabric it is made of is not usually very sturdy, I would not use most pouches with a heavy toddler. Bottom line - If you get one, save it for using when your baby is a little older, but I wouldn't go out of my way to purchase one.

Ease of Use:3  - looks easy, but actually can be a bit tricky to use properly
Nursing: 1
Versatility:1
Longevity: 2
Cost: 1-2

Where to buy: Seven Slings, Hotslings, Balboa Baby

Soft Structured Carrier

Carmen and baby T

Abbreviated SSC, this carrier is often the most used by dads, the buckles make it really easy to use, with a short learning curve. These are generally more suited towards older babies and toddlers, but many brands offer adaptations for newborns and young infants, like an infant insert, or infant panel that holds baby higher inside the carrier, or the base adjusts smaller for young babies. If you want one carrier to last you until you are done with wearing, this may be it. It can be challenging to use with a newborn, because even with the additional newborn supports, it may not fit your just-born baby well, though it likely will start being more comfortable for them around 2-3 months of age. These carriers cost a bit more ($100 - $200) but will last you to at least 18 months of age and resell for at least 75% of their value. 


Wearing a newborn in an SSC often requires some added maneuvering. You may need to roll a receiving blanket to boost baby up higher, or use an infant insert (sold separately in most cases), or some carriers, like Olives and Applesauce or some of the Beco line, have a built in adjustable infant harness. Others, like Lillebaby and Boba 4G and other Beco carriers, have an adjustable seat, that snaps in a bit narrower to be more comfortable for smaller babies.

A subset of this group is the narrow based carrier - like a Baby Bjorn or Snuggli. These do suit smaller babies a bit better, but the way they are designed - especially the less expensive versions without a waistbelt - make them harder on the parent since the baby's weight isn't distributed well. Also, the "narrow-based" part makes them not as supportive for the baby. (again, refer to our post on Ergonomics). Do not face your newborn out - this is not recommended, even by the manufacturers, until your baby has good head and neck control. Baby is most comfortable when she can curl into her parent, and her spine is in a C-shape and her legs are in a froggied position. This group of carriers, like the above mentioned pouch, is probably best for babies ages 4-10 months - once baby has good head control, but before they get too heavy.

The ratings below apply to the main group of SSCs, like Ergo, Boba 4G, and Kinderpack (which makes an infant model), etc

Ease of Use: 5 -the buckles make this one of the most straight forward options
Nursing: 3 - nursing a newborn in a SSC can be a challenge, but nursing in an SSC is as easy as adjusting it low enough to provide access to your breast for the baby.
Versatility: 5
Longevity: 4-5 - depending on the SSC chosen. Check out last week's blog post for details.
Cost: 4 - you can find good deals on Ergo with coupons and discount sites, but generally you are looking at $100+ for an SSC

Where to buy: Ergo, Boba 4G,  Kinderpack, Beco Soleil and Gemini 

Ring Sling

Ashleigh and baby M

Chris and baby S

Emily and baby R

A ring sling is a long piece of fabric sewn on to a pair of Sling Rings on one end and which you thread the other end through, making a continuous, adjustable loop. This is a one shouldered carrier, and by far a favorite for newborns. They can be found in a variety of fabrics, including ones sewn from a woven wrap, but even those can often be found for a reasonable price. I like these for newborns because they are easy to use, easy to position baby in, easy to nurse in, small enough to fold into a larger purse or diaper bag, and they can work easily on mom or dad. Ring slings can be used into toddlerhood, when your toddler wants up and down frequently and you want something fast. They are generally not recommend for carrying larger babies and toddlers for long periods of time, since the weight is distributed only on one shoulder. Honestly, I carry my 24 lb+ 18 month old in one, and as long as I'm careful to spread the fabric across my back, the weight is distributed comfortably across my torso, and I can carry him for as long as he will permit without it bothering my back or shoulder. Ring Slings should not be worn for back carries - my main concern with back carries in a ring sling is seat popping. There is only one pass of fabric going over baby's bottom, and most older babies tend to have times where they squirm and bounce, which can cause them to lose their seat without warning.

Ring Slings are relatively affordable, starting at around $50 for basic fabric ones (less if you DIY), and going up to maybe as much as $150 for ones converted from a woven wrap. I wrote a longer post all about ring slings HERE.  They are sized, but size only matters insomuch as it has to do with how much tail you have left over. The tail also makes a handy nursing cover, to flip over an exposed breast, or cover a sleeping baby from the sun. If buying from an Etsy shop, be sure to check to see if the maker is a BCIA member and CPSIA compliant.

Ease of Use: 4 - very easy to use, with a slight learning curve on how to adjust the tightness
Nursing: 4 - easy to nurse in, I usually slide baby into a cradle position and support their head with one arm.
Versatility:5
Longevity: 3 - you can use this well into toddlerhood for short trips, but not recommended for longer trips or back carries
Cost: 2-4

Where to buy: Sleeping Baby (SBP), Zanytoes, Sakura Bloom, Babyette

As always, you can buy any of these used on The Babywearing Swap or sell your newborn carrier to fund one for your older baby - check out how to navigate it HERE.

Bottom line - there are a lot of great options for wearing your newborn - finding the right one for you may take a little trial and error - but I guarantee you will find something both your and your baby will love to use, and still reap all the benefits of babywearing - closeness, ability to get things done (hands-free!), and building that great relationship as your baby grows.

Upcoming Events:

Saturday, April l2th, at the LDS building on Assembly Street, we are going to discuss Daddy Babywearing - we look forward to seeing the whole family there.

Thursday, April 24th, at the LDS church on Broad River Rd, we will talk about wearing in the heat and how to stay cool (or as cool as possible) while wearing your baby.

Saturday April 26th, at the Convention Center Downtown, is the Natural Mama Expo/Great Cloth Diaper Change - we will have a table set up with our Lending Library and look forward to meeting people and helping them choose or troubleshoot their carriers.

Come join the discussion in our Facebook group, or leave a comment here with your favorite way to wear your newborn.

Ergonomics - Why we wear and how -

It's Saturday again, Midlands Babywearers!

That means it's Blog Day, and it's also our first official Saturday Meeting at Expecting Well on Gervais St. We have some exciting things in store for all of our followers in the week ahead, including a giveaway!

Your Babywearers of the Midlands Admins LOVE what is happening in this group. We have been hard at work this last month planning awesome things for you and working on a great way to celebrate our first month. We will kick off a WEEK OF LOVE starting Saturday morning at our 10:00 AM meeting at Expecting Well.


This LOVEFEST will run through Valentine's Day (only fitting, right?) Come back and enter daily for a chance at one of our great prizes! We've had some generous local and national vendors make donations. 

Our first prize that will be given away Saturday morning at the meeting is a Hape Push and Pull Galloping Zebra toy.  Attend the meeting and enter for your chance to win!

The focus today is Ergonomics. What is Ergonomics and how does it apply to babywearing? We are glad you asked!

From About.com: "At its simplest definition ergonomics literally means the science of work. So ergonomists, i.e. the practitioners of ergonomics, study work, how work is done and how to work better. . .
It is used in design in many complex ways. However, what you, or the user, is most concerned with is, “How can I use the product or service, will it meet my needs, and will I like using it?” Ergonomics helps define how it is used, how it meets you needs, and most importantly if you like it. It makes things comfy and efficient."

Ergonomics, in other words, has everything to do with babywearing. From the carrier you choose, to why you choose to babywear, and what you do while babywearing. It can be the reason why you got into babywearing, and it might be the reason why some of you gave up trying to babywear (if the ergonomics were not working for you).

Ergonomics for You: the parent (or grandparent, or caregiver)

Chris - wearing her newborn

The main reason why many of us first choose babywearing is that we want to be able to get on with life and get things done, while having our hands and arms free for tasks other than just holding our baby. We want to do that in a way that is comfortable for us, is user friendly, and is accessible. One reason why there are so many different types of carriers out there is that what may be comfortable for one person and fit that individual perfectly may not work at all for another person. The wide variety of carriers out there ensures that there is a carrier available that meets your needs and wants. If you have narrow shoulders, are full busted, are petite framed or a tall babywearing dad, you want to find a carrier that works for you.

When considering ergonomics for the parent, you want to consider how well the carrier distributes the weight of the baby on the wearer.  Spreading the weight of your child to shoulders, back and hips takes the pressure off specific muscle groups. What you want to look for is a carrier that holds your baby in nice and close to your body, rather than one that allows your baby to lean away. This is particularly important if you have pre-existing lower back issues as you don’t want to be leaning backwards to compensate for this. Woven wraps, ring slings, SSCs (soft structured or buckled carriers), and Mei Tai are all designed to hold your baby in close, therefore minimizing the strain on your body. They each have different ways of helping to disperse the carrying weight of the baby appropriately on you, the wearer.  Of these, Ring Slings are probably the least ergonomic for long periods, as they are worn on only one shoulder. Ring Slings are great for quick trips, toddlers who want up and down often, and newborns. Wearing a Ring Sling for a long period of time can become uncomfortable for some wearers due to the one-shouldered nature of the carry. Many parents gravitate towards woven wraps due to their versatility. They can be worn with baby on your front, back or hip and can be wrapped in many different carries to vary how the weight of the baby is dispersed. SSCs and Mei Tais are perhaps the most user-friendly option but are less versatile. Still, baby can be worn on your front or back (or even hip, if you prefer) - and different brands of SSC and Mei Tai fit individuals differently.

Wearing your little one should be as easy on your body as it is for baby.  The support of a well-designed carrier helps prevent exacerbating old injuries, creating new injuries, or causing headaches.  Pain while carrying should not be ignored.  You may need to evaluate the weight distribution of the carrier itself.  Exercises can be done to strengthen the muscles that take most of the weight. Starting off wearing for short periods of time and building up to longer periods is another method of achieving muscle strength.  Having multiple carrier options (yes, you have our permission to get more carriers!) can help decrease repetitive stress to muscles and joints.  Whenever possible, use a carrier or carry that distributes to both shoulders and hips or alternate sides if using a ring sling or hip carrier to keep more balance in the muscle groups. 

One of the more common comments I get when I'm wearing one of my children out and about is "I

wore mine in a Bjorn (or other narrow based carrier) or stretchy wrap but had to stop because it got uncomfortable" Or "we tried but my baby HATED it". Baby Bjorns, and other narrow based carriers that allow for front facing, are less ergonomic for both you and your baby. They are not unsafe carriers and using them for short periods does no harm for most babies. (Caveat: if your baby already suffers from hip dysplasia, or is otherwise prone to hip dysplasia, narrow based carriers can exacerbate that issue).  The problem with these carriers for the wearer is that when baby is facing out, their body weight is pulling against your center of gravity as they lean forward, which throws of the wearer's center of gravity. Especially as baby gets bigger and heavier, that can cause the wearer to lean backwards to compensate and eventually will likely become very uncomfortable, if not painful. Past a certain weight (usually 15 lbs or so), stretchy wraps have the same difficulty. They sag, stretch to far, and begin to pull on the wearer's shoulders, causing the wearer to lean back to compensate and eventually become uncomfortable, and sometimes even painful. There is nothing wrong with either of these carriers - I know people that use them and love them, and the babies are happy to be worn! But if and when they become uncomfortable for either of you, just know that there are other options out there that will be more ergonomic for both of you.

If all you have is narrow based carrier, and no budget for a new one, there are ways to make it more comfortable and ergonomic for both you and baby. We'll demonstrate this at the meetings this month, and here is a blog post on how.

Ergonomics for Baby

Babies love to be held. One of the cardinal rules of babywearing is you want to wear your baby (especially your newborn) in a position similar to how you would hold them in arms. There is a wealth of information out there on why babywearing -ergonomically- is great for baby. You can learn more by reading here, here, and here, just to start. I want to cover two basic, easy to remember principles: TICKS  and the M position.

TICKS stands for:

Katrina with 3 day old Theo in a ring sling

Tight - slings and carriers should be tight enough to hug your baby close to you as this will be most comfortable for you both. Any slack/loose fabric will allow your baby to slump down in the carrier which can hinder their breathing and pull on your back.
In view at all times - you should always be able to see your baby’s face by simply glancing down. The fabric of a sling or carrier should not close around them so you have to open it to check on them. In a cradle position your baby should face upwards not be turned in towards your body.
Close enough to kiss - your baby’s head should be as close to your chin as is comfortable. By tipping your head forward you should be able to kiss your baby on the head or forehead.
Keep chin off Chest - a baby should never be curled so their chin is forced onto their chest as this can restrict their breathing. Ensure there is always a space of at least a finger width under your baby’s chin.
Supported back - in an upright carry a baby should be held comfortably close to the wearer so their back is supported in its natural position and their tummy and chest are against you. If a sling is too loose they can slump which can partially close their airway. (This can be tested by placing a hand on your baby’s back and pressing gently - they should not uncurl or move closer to you.) A baby in a cradle carry in a pouch or ring sling should be positioned carefully with their bottom in the deepest part so the sling does not fold them in half pressing their chin to their chest.

M Position:

There is an ideal leg position which centers the leg bones in to the middle of the hipsocket and thus aids the development of baby's hips. It's described as M-position, frog-position or spread-squat-position and means that baby's knees are higher up than his bottom and that his legs are spread apart. Babies automatically assume this position when lifted up, because it's also ideal for being carried on the mothers hip. Also babies treated for hip dysplasia using a harness or pillow have their legs in this position.

A baby carried in the M-position will have a rounded back because the tilt in the pelvis causes the spine to become rounded and vice versa.
In a cradle carry (baby is lying on her back in a hammock-style sling) a correct M-position cannot be achieved because her legs cannot be spread. So this position is not recommended at all by hip dysplasia specialists. Instead upright positions, especially on the mothers hip are better for the hip, if a carrier supports correct positioning and a round back.

Here are some pictures showing the M-position in a newborn, a 4-month old and a toddler:

Pictured are all babies in woven wraps, but this ideal M position can be achieved in Soft Structured Carriers, Mei Tai, Ring Slings, and even stretchy wraps (with young babies), as long as the fabric is supporting baby from knee to knee.











Ergonomics is important for both you and your baby, to keep you both comfortable and happy, and wearing for as long as you both would want to. With an ergonomic carrier, I have, and you can, easily wear your growing toddler and even your preschooler, when they are wanting to be held. It has saved my arms from growing numb holding my children in arms, and helped my back stay pain free. I hope you have learned a lot from this, and wear your babies ergonomically for many months, and even years, to come!

Happy Wearing!

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