Newsflash: It's Hot Out There

Happy Mother's Day!

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

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

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

 

Let's talk fabric

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

Mei Tai

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

Kinderpack with
Comfort Mesh at the Zoo

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

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

Ashleigh's Ring Sling

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

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

Didymos Waves Tramonto
at the Zoo

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

Molly and the Moby Wrap

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

More on Woven Wraps:

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

Melissa - Front Cross Carry

Front Carries: Kangaroo and Front Cross Carry














Laura - Semi FCC

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












Katrina - HJBC

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

Torso carry in a size 3

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


 

Wearing in the water

Water Ring Sling
 at Folly Beach

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

Other tips for staying cool:

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

What a gorgeous day, Midlands Babywearers!

Minde at Soda City

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

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

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

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

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

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

Stokke: we were not stoked at the price

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

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

Bjorn Comfort - not bad

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

Ergobaby 360
Price: $159.99

Ergobaby 360: my baby has never
ridden facing out before

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

Ergobaby Performance
we liked how it performed

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

Ergobaby Original

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

Lillebaby Complete: almost Completely perfect

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

Chico Coda: Could've been better

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

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

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

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

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

Baby K'tan - clearly she was a fan

Moby - the cat approved -

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




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

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

Upcoming Meetings and Events:

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

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

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

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

A Little About Me and How I Found My Mama Tribe

Happy Monday, Midlands Babywearers!

Strawberry picking
Boone Hall Planation

It's been a gorgeously hot weekend, full of babywearing and fun kids events. I hope you all ran into at least one babywearer this weekend, whether it was our group at the Natural Baby Expo/Great Cloth Diaper Change, or at Lexington Kids' Day - which gets far too crowded to make pushing a stroller very practical, or were one of the many people piling into the zoo, or maybe you visited Soda City Market on Saturday morning. I love meeting Babywearers in the wild, whether I know them already or not, I feel like I should know them. The babywearing community here used to be smaller, but it's growing now by leaps and bounds, and I can't wait to get to know everyone better!



In the four months I've been blogging, I've covered lots of how-to's, tips and tricks, and general babywearing topics that I hope will be a useful reference point for all of our veteran and novice Babywearers, and anyone else who stumbles on this blog. I wanted it to become a place where, when someone in our group, or the larger babywearing community has a question, you can say, "I've got a blog for that!" and you can easily link them to the appropriate blog post without having to write a lengthy response (unless you really want to, of course!)  - and I have seen many of you sharing the blog with that intent, and as Kai-lan says, "that makes my heart feel super happy!".

With that said, I wanted to take a break from that, and tell you a bit more about me, how I came to babywear, and how it's helped me be a better parent.

When I became pregnant with my first child, in 2009, the first two things I bought (after doing tons of research) were a stroller (a Maclaren Quest XL) which we still own and love, and a Kangaroo Korner fleece pouch, which I never wore a baby in (and now appears that they are no longer available for sale). For starters, I chose this cream fleece sequined and embroidered adjustable pouch which was gorgeous but probably the most impractical thing I could have chosen. I traded it for a brown polka dotted Hotsling pouch, which was far too small for me, and also never got worn.

Me and baby #1 at the zoo in the Ergo

Thank God my husband has better taste! He researched and researched for a carrier that would work for him, a 6'6" BIG guy. We went, as all expecting parents do, to Babies R Us to register once we found out we were expecting a boy (another reason that cream colored sequined thing never got used. I just couldn't put a boy in that), and he tried on what they had in store, which was mostly a collection of Baby Bjorns, and boy, was that just a laugh. Bless his heart, he looked like he was wearing a man-bra. But he really wanted to wear our son, too, so he went online and saw lots of great things being said about the Ergo baby carrier, and how great it was for larger people, like both of us were. When we found out we were pregnant, I had just lost about 20 pounds - but I was still very plus sized at 4'11" and 225 lbs - and I don't know what my husband weighed, but I know he wore 3XLT shirts. My mother in law bought it as our baby gift - the Ergo, suck pads (which never came out of the box), the infant insert (we never used it), and backpack, which could be worn independently or clip on to the carrier (we used it more than the carrier, I think).


Me and fur-baby Tigger in the Moby

I did some more research and bought a Moby wrap, which was an awfully long piece of stretchy fabric, and once it's out of its carrying bag, I could never fold it up small enough to fit it back in. But, I learned to use it, and practiced with our long suffering cat, Tigger, before our son was born. And we did wear him, for all the reasons I thought we would - he wanted to be held, sometimes strollers just aren't practical in all places, and I loved, at the time, that not a lot of people were doing it. I didn't see many other Babywearers in the wild. As our son grew, and we figured out what kind of parents we were, and were not, we discovered something. The parenting tribe we were in just didn't fit. You see, when we were still expecting our first, we became part of a wonderful small group at our church, and we loved the people in it, all young parents like ourselves. We got along great, and we had a lot of fun getting to know each other, watching our children grow, and talking about God and life and parenting. But we were different. We didn't talk about it, but as our son grew, it became pretty obvious to us that we just did things differently. We co-slept. We couldn't fathom letting our child cry it out. We sort of tried at one point, when he was close to a year, but it was half-hearted and we went back to doing what came natural to us, which was a tear-free bedtime. I breast-fed until one or both of us wanted to stop. We wore our baby, and would continue to as he became a toddler. When he was seven months old, we switched to cloth diapers. We didn't spank. We did and didn't do a whole host of things that were contrary to how our friends parented. It's not that they judged us or were at all mean about our differences. It's just that we realized we couldn't go to them for advice or commiseration on parenting topics. I didn't really realize at the time that all of these things made us "crunchy" or that we were doing "attachment parenting" - so many of these stemmed from laziness. The point is, as much as we loved our friends, they didn't quite work as our parenting tribe, and we didn't know if there were others out there like us, or how to find them if there were. So we were adrift.

I did find an online parenting tribe, at www.mothering.com. When I became pregnant with our

me, pregnant with baby#2

second baby, our first was 14 months old, and I desperately wanted a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean). I knew having a doula experienced in VBAC would be a key factor to my success, and I followed a board signature to local doula's page. When we met to discuss my birth plans, and to find if she would be a good fit for us, I asked her if she knew any locals "like us". At some point during that pregnancy, I had found the local Holistic Moms Network meetings, and met some nice people there, but we didn't get together outside of meetings, and part of me chafed a bit at having to pay a membership fee to find friends. She directed me to a local babywearing group on Facebook. I had no idea that there was such a thing! I joined the group and looked forward to my first meeting, even though I was hugely pregnant and not wearing any baby at that point.

Our first meeting was at the State Museum. The great thing about babywearing is that, even not knowing anyone, I knew who was in the group, because babywearing is such an obvious thing to spot. That first meeting was a little awkward, as all first meetings are, as I tried to figure out if I fit. I met some moms then that I admired at first glance, and have since, like my doula, become life long friends. My second meeting, I brought my husband, since it was more of a whole family thing, to the zoo. When the other dads started talking about co sleeping and how great and wonderful and terrible it is (because it is all of those things), you should have seen his face light up. Here was our tribe, his sideways glance told me. People we could be real with. Parents who "got" us. Families that we didn't have to skirt or hide our parenting style from, like it was somehow wrong to want to be closer to your kids. It was refreshing and honest and perfect for us.

Once our daughter was born - yes, a fantastic VBAC - I discovered woven wraps after starting with a

baby #2 in the Baby K'tan

our first successful back carry
- reinforced ruck tied Tibetan
- in Hoppediz Panama size 6

Baby K'tan (first cousin to the Moby, a stretchy wrap with no tying involved). I wanted her on my back so I could chase my 2 year old around the yard. I started at home, with YouTube, and practiced, and practiced. Starting hunched over near our bed, I wrapped as carefully as I could, then (sweating), I shuffled, still hunched over with one hand on my 2 month old, to the bathroom so I could check out the results in the large mirror there. After many, many failed attempts that left both of us sticky with sweat, crying tears of frustration, and wondering if I would EVER figure this out. I did figure it out. But there were other carries I wanted to try, and sometimes YouTube is just not the same as someone in person helping you. So, off to another meeting I went, to get some in-person wrapping help with Double Hammock. I got the help I needed, and to this day, Double Hammock is one of my favorite carries.

tandem wearing kid #1 and baby #2 at the zoo
wrap is Didymos Waves Tramonto in a size 7

I learned how to tandem carry, both in one long wrap, and using two carriers. People started asking me questions about how to wear, and what to wear, if they were plus sized. Others asked me for wrapping help. And as I helped other people learn, I learned a lot about myself. I love to share babywearing knowledge. I love connecting people with others that can help them better than I can. I realized I know a lot about some things, but I still have a lot to learn in other areas. For instance, I can use a Mei Tai. I can probably help you get started with one. But it's not something I have everyday comfort and familiarity with, and I'll probably point you to another admin, like Jackie or Chris, who have used one more often, or one of the group members I've seen wearing one every day for the last few months. That's the great thing about our group - there is someone among us that can help with just about anything. Even with helping make your Baby Bjorn more comfortable.



That group grew, and grew. It got so big, it was getting really hard to help everyone, and really know everyone. With close to 500 members, many of whom were not active, it was no longer the close-knit, friendly (as in full of friends. It became a bunch of people who did not know each other well) group it once was. So one day, when baby number 3 was a few months old, some friends and I met to talk about what we could do to make the babywearing community here in Columbia better. We debated about what kind of group we wanted, and how to create it. We decided, between that meeting and a few others, that a new group - starting from scratch - that focused on peer-to-peer learning and sharing was what we wanted. We believed that each of us - no matter where we are in our babywearing journey - has wisdom and knowledge worth sharing and knowing, that can benefit others. So this story is also a story of how Babywearers of the Midlands came to be. At the same time we were building and dreaming this new group, the old group, the one I first jived with, joined Babywearing International, and became a new group, too, BWI of Columbia. Some of my best friends are members of both groups - I think both groups have a lot to offer the growing babywearing community in the Midlands. Our focuses are a little different (BWI, as an organization, focuses on leadership and expertise of its VBE's -volunteer babywearing educators, while we are peer-to-peer learning based), but the end goal is the same.

Now, when I'm at the zoo, or Publix, or Soda City, or even Wal-mart, and run into someone else wearing their baby, I assume I must know them - and even if I don't, I should get to know them, because I think they are awesome. And awesome people deserve a great mama tribe, and that's what the babywearing community is. It is chock full of the most generous, open, friendly people I could ever hope to know. I'm still friends with my church group. They are wonderful people and great parents. But my babywearing friends are the heart of my inner circle - they understand the joy I feel at mastering a new carry, they rejoice with me when a new parent finds the carrier that "clicks", they mourn with me when my formerly worn-everywhere baby no longer wants "up" all the time. The friendship goes beyond babywearing things, because they are also the people bound to have the best cloth diapering advice, tips for dealing with a restless nursing toddler, and there is no better group for commiserating over the joys and woes of bed-sharing. While not all Babywearers do all of the "crunchy" things - I've found they are the most accepting and open group for all parenting styles - among us there are formula feeding moms, working moms, stay at home dads, families who vaccinate, who delay shots, who don't give any, and the best part is, rarely do I ever hear any drama over any of these things. We know that however you are parenting, you are what you feel is best for your family, and that makes each one of you a wonderful person to know. And that's why I'm blessed to call them friends, and be a part of this tribe.

 

Upcoming events:

Saturday, May 10th - our weekend meeting - we'll be discussing babywearing in the hot, South Carolina summer

Thursday, May 22nd - our weekday meeting - this is a special partnership between our group and La Leche League to discuss nursing/feeding your baby while babywearing.

 

We also plan on doing an Ice Cream Social one weekend coming up soon, keep checking our Facebook Group for details that will be posted soon!

The Proper Care and Use of Baby Carriers

Happy Monday, Midland's Babywearers!

I hope everyone had a great Easter, filled with family, fun, and food. It was the perfect end to a much needed Spring Break. Did wearing your baby or toddler make your Easter easier? My kids love to play and be passed around at family gatherings, so I don't get to wear them much in those cases. But I sure wore my youngest out during some marathon shopping on Saturday!

Over in our Facebook Group, we've noticed that lots of you are getting new "fluff" - new wraps, new buckle carriers, and even some Mei Tais. Some of these are brand new carriers, some are pre-loved and new to you. We love seeing all of your new fluff, but we're sure many of you are left wondering, after a weekend out, and seeing your lovely new carrier get some heavy use, how do I wash this thing? Or maybe you're wondering if you need to wash it before you use it at all?

The good thing about baby carriers is that they do not, under normal circumstances, need frequent washing. This helps the fabric last longer, and the colors in certain fabrics stay bright and true. Washing your carrier every so often - usually when you find them noticeably dirty or smelly - is an excellent time to go over your carrier carefully to make sure that there are no safety issues or flaws that need repair. Some of these flaws (in the case of pulls and thread shifting in woven wraps) can actually be repaired by washing. It's very important also to check your carriers regularly in any case to make sure they remain a safe option for your baby. This also should be done every time you buy or sell a used carrier. From a buyer's perspective, you want to make sure you received a quality carrier with no safety issues, and you should definitely wash before use if your family has any allergy or sensitivity issues. From a seller's perspective, you want to make sure you notice any flaws so you can disclose them before selling, and washing is just a good idea before you go to sell. We'll go over how to wash and what to look for safety and cosmetic wise for Buckle carriers, Mei Tai, and Woven Wraps.

Buckle Carriers/SSC (soft structured carrier)

Add caption

Brand Spanking New (bought at retail or advertised BNIB - brand new in box)

Do you need to wash it? I think this is optional. My family doesn't have any particular sensitivities or allergies, so I don't wash new buckle carriers before using. However, you should definitely go over even a brand new carrier to make sure all of the stitching looks firm and tight, that there are no lose spots in the seams, especially at the weight bearing corners (where the body of the carrier connects to waist band and shoulder straps). Also look at all of the plastic buckles and pieces to make sure they are whole, without cracks or warping.



Used

Do you need to wash it? I would recommend washing it at your earliest convenience. Even when advertised from a smoke free, pet free home, I have noticed in some cases that a scent still clings to the carrier, and I'm sensitive to scents. Also, some postal carriers smoke and that can leech through to their packages. Both before and after you wash it, I would inspect it for any flaws, so that these can be brought to the attention of the seller if any exist.

If you find a flaw, regardless of whether you bought new or used, DO NOT WASH THE CARRIER. Bring it to the attention of the seller, and discuss what remedy could be made. If you buy new, a full refund or exchange is usually appropriate. If you buy used, you can certainly return and expect a full refund. I really don't recommend asking for a partial refund - these are usually difficult to negotiate and generally no one walks away pleased from this transaction. If the flaw you find is cosmetic - a mark or stain on the carrier that is not obvious, or loose thread where it does not affect the structural integrity of the carrier - still mention it to the seller as an FYI.  In most cases with buckle carriers, you do not find major issues.

Washing: all carriers come with washing instructions, and sometimes these vary. These instructions are general tips and tricks that apply most for most SSC. Tighten all your straps as much as you can (especially if you are using a washer with agitator) and use a mesh laundry bag if you have one.
This will help prevent things getting tangled. Wash on cold with a detergent that is free of optical brighteners. If you cloth diaper, whatever detergent you use in that case would also be appropriate for your carriers. Liquid or powder detergent? for SSC it doesn't really matter. Mostly you want to pick a gentle but effective detergent that will not cause the fabric to fade too much. That is the most common "flaw" I see in used SSC - faded fabric. This is no safety issue, but will affect the resale value of your carrier. Wash on cold, using the gentle/handwash cycle. Do NOT use fabric softener. Ever. On ANY carrier. Yes, it's that serious. Fabric softener does carrier fabric no favors, or you either. Skip it. All of the fabrics used on buckle carriers are pre-washed and already soft, and will soften more with use and wear, no additional artificial softening is needed.

Drying - line or dry flat. Due to the padding in the waist and shoulders, these should not be dried in your dryer. You may need adjust and straighten the waist and shoulder padding prior to laying flat or line drying if they got twisted in the wash. Using a dryer will only exacerbate the twisting, and some of the materials used in the padding are not dryer-friendly.

Ironing - only if you want to. I don't like to iron and have never bothered to iron a SSC. If you smooth the fabric of the body prior to line or drying flat, ironing shouldn't really be necessary.

Mei Tai



Minde - in a wrap conversion MT

Brand New

Do you wash it? Up to you; I might be more inclined to wash a brand new mei tai, since it is all fabric and no webbing, unlike an SSC. Especially if it has been converted from a woven wrap, as washing woven wraps tends to only make them better. Inspect all of the stitching when you receive it.  and inspect the fabric for any thin spots or loose threads.

Used

Do you wash it? I always wash any used carrier prior to use, so, yes, I would. Especially if it has a noticeable scent. Inspect it before and after washing for any flaws, and bring these to the attention of the seller immediately.

How to wash it:

All of the same instructions apply for Mei Tai  that apply to SSC. If your Mei Tai has been converted from a woven wrap, follow the washing instructions appropriate for woven wraps of that fiber blend. If there is no padding or foam in the waist or shoulder straps (this varies between brands and makers, some of whom offer wrap straps and no padding waist) you may be able to dry in the dryer on the settings appropriate for the fabric's fiber blend.

Ironing - especially for the straps, I would iron these after washing, on the settings appropriate for the fiber. Often when washing the straps can get rolled and wrinkled, and ironing them will make it easier to use.

Woven Wraps:

This could be the longest care section - but I will try to keep it concise. I'll link to some excellent resources if you want more of the nitty-gritty.

New

Do you wash it? Yes. Before you ever wear it, you need to wash your woven wrap. Nearly all manufacturers insist on it. They do not wash it prior to you receiving it - it comes to you fresh off the loom from the seamstress who cut and hemmed it. Washing is needed to tighten the weave. It will also help start the breaking in process, or softening of your wrap. Like with any carrier, check for flaws before and after you wash it. You are looking for pulls, thread shifting, weaving flaws, holes, anything that doesn't look quite right. I'll discuss flaws in more detail below.

Used

Do you wash it? I would, but before you wash it, measure it. The most common complaint I see from buyers is that the wrap isn't the size they thought they bought. If the seller washed before selling (and if they measured PRIOR to washing) it is very possible the wrap shrunk a few inches during the washing and drying process. The wrap will stretch a bit with use again, so this is no fault of the seller. If the measure is significantly different from what you were sold (more than 6 inches) - bring this to the attention of the seller like you would any other flaw. You can ask for a refund, offer to try to sell or trade it yourself for the size you actually want, or the seller may offer another solution. Other than that, inspect and wash it like you would any other carrier.

How to wash it

I'll talk about the basic fibers. For blends, wash according to the most "picky" fiber. So if it's a cotton/linen blend - wash it like you wash linen.

Geckos 100% cotton - Lending Library addition)

Cotton: I always recommend cotton for new wrappers. It's the easiest to care for, because you've been washing 100% cotton things forever, and caring for a woven wrap is not that much different. Wash on cold, using whatever detergent you have that is free of optical brighteners. Add some dryer balls if you have them (if you don't, you totally should get some. They are an awesome replacement for fabric softener, which you will not be using, right?), and you are good to go. Many people hang dry until 50% or more dry and finish in the dryer. Cotton is pretty forgiving, but obviously, the more gentle you treat it, the longer it islikely to last.

Linen Feathers- Lending Library addition

Linen: This fiber is also fairly easy to care for and a favorite for warm weather. Wash on cold or warm at most, using liquid detergent. It is said by some manufacturers that powder detergent crystals can wear and create breakage on linen fibers so are not recommended. Dry on low, or line dry. Linen likes to be ironed, since it is prone to wrinkling. It's best to iron when it's mostly, but not completely, dry.

Silk: Whether it's tussah/wild silk or not, silk is a lovely fiber and not that difficult to take care of. Be gentle with it, and it will be your friend. Lukewarm water is best - cold water will cause the silk to dull. Hot water will shrink the fibers. Handwash or use the handwash setting on your washer. Hang dry out of direct sunlight, and iron on low.

Natibaby Hemp Clovers

Hemp: Hemp loves heat and it's a very durable fiber. Wash on warm or hot, using liquid detergent. Dry on low, and especially on a hemp blend, iron, iron, iron! Hemp really benefits from ironing - it will straighten out the fibers and the heat helps soften and break in the fibers.

Wool Snowflakes - Lending Library additon

Wool: Wool is so soft and can be great no matter the weather - it breathes well and will keep you warm in cold weather and cool in summer heat. The biggest fear with wool is felting, which happens if you dry it in the dryer. For any other fiber, if you dry on warm once or twice, it's no big deal (shrinkage is the biggest issue with other fiber blends and often the wrap will stretch out again with use, so it is no big deal in the grand scheme of things). If your wool wrap felts, it can no longer be used as a wrap - the fibers are broken beyond safely wearing. However, if you know what NOT to do, caring for wool is straightforward and you will love wrapping with it. It needs to be handwashed in lukewarm water, preferable with a wool-friendly detergent, and dried flat.


Bamboo: Bamboo is soft, thin, slippery. Like silk, it prefers lukewarm water. The most important thing to remember about bamboo is that it does not like to wet for a long time - the maximum amount of soaking time allowed is 40 minutes. When you wash, handwash or use the lightest, shortest setting on your washer. Dry on no heat or line/hang dry. Iron while damp.


There is a handy chart HERE with more discussion about the various fibers and blends.
Also, check out the various manufacturers websites to learn more about fiber care, and what the symbols on your wrap tags mean.

Didymos
Natibaby

Here are some links on flaws found in woven wraps, including pictures and how to fix them (and if the even need fixing. Some things are truly cosmetic).

Marsupial Mamas has a comprehensive article, including wrap care
My favorite resource for pulled threads, nubs and slubs, and a variety of other things that are within the realm of normal for wraps - found here - and how to fix them

Breaking in a Woven Wrap

What's that, anyway? Breaking in a wrap is just like breaking in your favorite jeans - new and stiff in the store, once broken in, they are soft, buttery, floppy, and fit and mold to you like a glove. That's the end goal with woven wraps, too. But how do you get there? Especially when some wraps feel like cardboard fresh out of the box? Or worse yet, like mesh in your porch's screen door? (yes, it's true for some wraps, especially linen and hemp blends).

1) Wash it. See above on how. If your wrap tolerates it, dry it in the dryer. With dryer balls - I buy mine on Etsy, but you can make your own easily. The more the merrier. And seriously, the MORE the MERRIER. They will soften your wraps (and all your other clothes), and your kids will steal them to play with; you can never have too many. Because your kids will steal them to play with. And they will get lost in the corners of your fitted sheets, and your spouse will forget to put them back in the dryer, and your kids will steal them to play with.

2) Wear it/Use it. The more you use your wrap, the softer it will get. And it will get soft, even the scratchiest linen or the most stubborn of beastly hemps, eventually. You can speed up the process a bit though, keep reading.

3) Sit on it. Some call it Butt Magic. I fold mine and sit on them as I work on the computer. Unfold it, fold it again a different way, and sit some more. Sit on it as I'm crocheting, reading, or watching TV. I don't know why, but it works. Also, sleeping with it has the same effect.  No folding necessary, unless you are using it as a pillow.

braid- this is a linen/bamboo blend

4) Braid it/Crochet it - see Youtube video here,. This works not by braiding it and leaving it, but braid it, unbraid it, braid it, repeat. the constant use of the wrap as the fibers pull against each other is what works to soften it. Honestly, I don't use braiding as breaking in method, but to store and/or display my longest wraps. My folding never stays done.







5) Unconventional methods: Including use as a hammock or swing.  - Many of you have already done the hammock method and we love seeing your pictures!

Hammocks - not just for kids!

 

No matter what carrier you have, or are looking to purchase, knowing how to care for them, and what problems to look out for is vitally important to making sure your carrier lasts you a long time and will resell at a great price. There are woven wraps (especially Didymos) that have been in use and loved on for 20 years or more, and still have lots of life yet. Carriers like these do not really ever expire, if they are well cared for; they will last you as long as you could hope to use them.

 

Upcoming Events

We hope to see all of you., and your well cared for carriers (new and old!)  at one of our upcoming events.

Thursday, April 24th - at the LDS church on Broad River Rd. We'll discuss what to wear, and  how to stay cool, in the South Carolina heat.

Saturday, April 26th - we will be at the Natural Baby Expo/Great Cloth Diaper Change from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. We will have the Lending Library available to show, and will be happy to introduce you to, or trouble shoot, any carriers you have questions about. We will also have fundraising items available for sale - including suck pads (these are great for keeping your SSC or Mei Tai looking new), critters made by Quietmoon Reflections, and child-sized amber necklaces.

Coming up in May:

More Warm Weather Wearing - Saturday May 10th - at the LDS building on Assembly street

Ice Cream Social - the day and time is TBD - come vote in the Facebook group. A decision and event will be scheduled soon.

Nursing and bottle feeding while Babywearing - we are partnering with La Leche League on Thursday, May 22nd at our usual weekday location- to talk about how to accomplish this important skill.

Babywearing - Daddy Style

Happy Sunday, Midlands Babywearers!

Mr. H at the Zoo

With the weather warming up, we've seen a lot more Babywearers in the wild, so to speak. We have enjoyed seeing some new faces, and catching up with others we haven't seen in a while. This spring weather is perfect for babywearing - especially for longer periods of time - like going to the zoo, nature hikes, traveling, festivals, farmer's markets, flea markets, and more. It's often in these venues that I see more men wearing their babies, and toddlers, too.

In the past, most things child related were women's domain, but as men have become more active participants of the child-raising process, becoming stay-at-home-dads, or just wanting to be more in touch with their children when they are home in the evenings and weekends, they want a piece of the babywearing pie, too, but it's hard for anyone to know where to start, especially if you haven't really seen any other men babywearing. If you are a dad, reading this, you may be wondering, "do other dads REALLY do this?" The answer is: yes, yes they do.

Some men will wear whatever their wife or mother of their child picks out for them or has already, some want a carrier specifically for them, others do their own research and choose their own carrier. No matter what type of dad you are, wearing your baby is as practical as it is for your baby's mom, and offers all the same benefits. You are hands free, so you can get things done, you are close to your baby, so your baby is happy, and you both get time together to bond, which is priceless.

SSCs (Soft Structured Carriers or Buckle Carrier) - this is the carrier I most often see dads use. Dads choose it because it's easy to figure out, many are available in manly patters or basic colors, and they are very comfortable. SSCs are also a good carrier to choose when you have more than one person wearing the baby, as it easily adjusts to fit multiple wearers. Examples of common SSC are Ergo, Boba 4G, Kinderpack, Tula, Beco Gemini and Soleil, and the Infantino Union.



Mr. M at the Flea Market

Mr. F at the Flea Market

Mr. S at World Market

When I was pregnant with our first baby, back in 2009, before I knew a whole lot about babywearing, my husband and I went to go register for baby stuff at Babies R US, like 99% of expecting couples we knew. Babywearing made a lot of sense to both of us, so my 6 foot 6 inch husband tried on what they had in store, which was mostly Baby Bjorns and Chico carriers. On his large frame, the Baby Bjorn looked ridiculous. It also did not look like it would be very comfortable for a long period of time - both in regards to age of baby and duration of wear - so my husband decided to research online. He researched a bit and found Ergobaby, which in 2009 was probably the most ergonomic SSC available widely. It also got good reviews from larger men who found it fit them okay and was comfortable. We got good use out of the Ergo, sized up when our first baby was one to a Boba 2G, which had a taller back, sold it for a random SSC I found on a For Sale or Trade board that I loved the look and price of (a Nana's JetPack), which I sold when I was offered another SSC - a Babyhawk Oh!Snap - in trade . . . . and now we own three SSCs, that Oh!Snap, a standard size Kinderpack, and a custom toddler SSC. We also now have three kids, and like to have options for each of them, and having one both in the house and in the car is convenient. We love our SSC's!

Mr. B at the Fair

Mei Tai - often abbreviated MT - this options is very similar to an SSC, but instead of buckles, there are long straps you tie. No adjusting the buckles for the perfect fit on different people, just tie it to your comfort and secure your baby. Common brands include Babyhawk and the Infintino Sash Mei. This sort of carrier is great for newborns to toddlers and is very affordable. Since there are no buckles to adjust, many parents find it is a better option for a carrier for both parents to wear.

Mr. T on a hike

Frame Carriers - or Hiking backpacks - these sort of carriers are great for that purpose. They are the perfect choice if you spend a lot of time outdoors and want to carry just one thing - many frame carriers have extra pockets and pouches for carrying diapers, gear, water bottles, and anything else you may need for a day on the trail. The downside to these carriers is that they are a bit unwieldy for daily use, and baby should be sitting independently - six to eight months - before you can use it. They are a great option for many dads who want to take baby with them hiking and camping.





Mr. D -wrapping at home

Wraps - yes, real men wrap, too! There are two kinds of baby wraps. Woven Wraps and stretchy wraps. Stretchy wraps, like the Moby, are meant for young babies (newborn to 3-4 months), and are very long pieces of stretch knit cotton. I know men that have used and loved stretchy wraps as a way to snuggle and be close to their newborn. Others find the fabric keeps them a little too warm and others find wrapping with all that stretchy fabric too be more of a challenge than its worth.  However, once you get the hang of it, wrapping with a stretchy is a great gateway into the world of woven wraps.

Mr. N - wrapping at home

Woven wraps  - like stretchy wraps, these are long pieces of cloth, but the fabric is woven, not knit. It's like the difference between your favorite jeans and your favorite t-shirt. Your t-shirt is stretchy and cozy and comfy. The jeans are soft, sturdy, and strong. Woven wraps can be used for all ages of babies -from newborn to toddler- and come in a wide variety of lengths, fiber blends and patterns. This carrier has the longest learning curve, but has the most versatility of any carrier, since it can be worn on your front, hip, or back - high or lower - and with any age or size of baby. It is definitely a learned skill, but it is a skill worth learning. Woven wraps often feel like swaddling your child and often produce a similar calming effect. If you have a fussy baby or tantruming toddler, it's a great tool to use to calm your baby in a way that keeps them close, safe, while still allowing you to be hands-free.

Wearing your baby is a wonderful way to bond with your baby, get things done, and get brownie points with your wife, all at once - don't be surprised if your wife insists on taking a picture of you wearing your little one every chance she can. We love seeing daddies wear babies! Come join the conversation in our Facebook group and share your favorite daddy pictures, and tell us what your favorite daddy babywearing carrier is.

Upcoming Events:

Weekday Meeting - Thursday, April 24th, at the LDS Church on Broad River Rd. We'll be talking about how to stay cool while wearing your baby in the South Carolina heat.
Natural Mama Expo/Great Cloth Diaper Change - Saturday, April 26th, at the convention center in Downtown Columbia. We will be there helping troubleshoot carriers, display the lending library, and hoping to set a new world record for cloth diaper changing, all at the same time! Come join us and many other local vendors at this one of a kind event!