In honor of International Babywearing Week I’m going to share my babywearing experience with you.
The beginning…
When I was pregnant I knew I wanted to baby wear. My mom had done it and to this day talks about how sweet those moments were. I knew this is something I wanted to experience with my own daughter. So I got an ErgoBaby and waited for her to be born.
Little did I know I was about to have a baby that would not sleep alone. She wouldn’t even sleep in bed next to me for the first month or so. She only wanted to be held. Before she turned a month old I got a little desperate. I needed to get stuff done and that’s when I started babywearing. Let me tell you, it changed my life forever.
She practically lived in the ErgoBaby her first year of life, especially before she became mobile. She napped in the ergo, nursed in the ergo and had a great time. It was so liberating to be able to go out with her and not have to worry about her crying in a stroller or being held by too many people or having to rush back home so she could nap. She was always right there snuggled up against me. It was perfect.
She is now a very active 20 month but I still wear her several times a week, especially when we go out for a long walk or go shopping. It helps me get things done and it avoids me having to chase her in stores. She can get a little wild sometimes.
After 20 months of babywearing I am no expert but I do know a lot more than I did when I started. So I’m going to try to summarize the most important aspects of babywearing.
Babywearing basics
Babywearing is something every mother should try. Seriously!
Attend a babywearing meeting to learn about babywearing basics and find out what carrier is right for you:
There is an organization called Babywearing International (BWI) that has chapters all over the world. If there is one in your area, you can go to a free meeting where they will teach about the different types of carriers and show you how to use them.
Once you learn about the basics at a BWI meeting, they will tell you about the types of carries that are out there. You can find soft structure carriers, like the ErgoBaby, or Mei tais, like the Infantino one that you can get in mayor stores like Walmart and Target. There will also talk to you about stretchy and woven wraps and teach you how to use them. A wrap is basically a big piece of a special fabric you wrap around your baby and body. Lastly, there are ring slings, which are a long piece of fabric with 2 rings where you thread the fabric through.
Once someone told me trying on a carrier is like trying on jeans – you have to try several ones to figure out what’s best and most comfortable for you. This is why if you can attend a BWI meeting, you should do so. You will be able to try all types of carriers and figure out which one is the best for you.
Wear your baby in an ergonomic position:
The most important aspect of babywearing is making sure your baby is being worn in the right position: your baby’s knees should be higher than her hips. You don’t want your kiddo to have hip dysplasia so this is very important. It’s also the reason why most experienced baby wearers hate carriers like the Baby Bjorn. It is just not ergonomically safe for your baby.
A lot of people recommend against facing out:
It’s not recommended to wear a baby facing out – especially for extended periods of time. I hear many parents saying their babies want to face out and see the world. My daughter wanted to do that too and she was able to do so in a proper position, facing me. She just looked sideways. They will also tell you other important things about babywearing: your baby has to be high enough so you can kiss her easily and be able to see that her airway is always clear – this means her chin can’t be against her chest.
If you can’t attender a babywearing meeting then…
If you don’t have a chapter near you, don’t let that stop you from babywearing. I went to my first meeting when my daughter was 16 months and that didn’t keep me from babywearing. A quick Google search will show you how to babywear: you can find pictures and videos on YouTube. I learned how to use the ergo and nurse in it solely by watching youtube videos.
There are also many babywearing groups on Facebook, general one and specific ones according to the brand you’re interested in getting. Join those groups and ask questions. The mamas in them are always very helpful.
My favorite Facebook groups for general babywearing things are: The Babywearing swap (this is to buy used carriers), Babywearing Love and Support and Babywearing 102.
And remember, babywearing is a skill you have to learn. It will take practice but you will get the hang of it very quickly.
My personal preference in babywearing…
I absolutely love ring slings and soft structure carriers for their ease of use. If I were to do it all over again I would buy both a ring sling and a soft structure carrier. Why both?
My current stash: 4 silk ring slings, a standard Kinderpack with mesh, a toddler Tula
and a preeschool Madame Goo Goo
Ring slings are perfect to use with newborns and it would be the only carrier I would use up until around 4-5 months when it gets more comfortable to have them in a soft structured carrier. I do have to add that you will most likely keep using the ring sling well into the toddler years. I use mine on regular basis with my 20 month old because it’s so fast to get in and out and it’s small enough to carry in my diaper bag. I just don’t use for extended carrying since the soft structure carriers are more comfortable and supportive and ideal for that.
My favorite ring slings are the silk ones because they are more supportive and I love the shine that comes with silk. I have Sakura Bloom and Vienna Springs slings. They are both great brands and same quality but Vienna Springs is made a mom in the US and is half the price. I totally recommend her slings! You won’t regret buying it. Check out her instagram to see the beauties she makes.
Vienna Springs silk ring sling in Lilac
As far as soft structure carriers (SSC) go, if you have a limited budget I’d buy an ErgoBaby but if you can spend a little bit more, my absolute favorite ones are Tula
Standard Kinderpack in Bubbles with mesh panel
Another very popular brand that is loved by many is Líllébaby. Most of my friends love their all seasons carrier. I personally haven’t tried this brand so I can’t give you any feedback on it.
If you plan to use a soft structure carrier from the moment your baby is born, I would get an infant size Kinderpack. If you plan to use a ring sling or wrap exclusively for the first months then I would buy a SSC later on and I would get it in standard size.
The standard size carrier in all of these brands will last you a long time and you can use them well into the toddler years. Keep in mind that most toddlers don’t like to be carrier after a certain age anyways so this might the only carrier size you’ll ever need. However, if your kiddo is like mine and likes to be worn well into the toddler years, keep in mind that Kinderpack and Madame Goo Goo sell toddler and preeschool size carries and Tula sells a toddler size carrier. These are not a must to get and I would only get them once your kid is big enough for them since you might not need them.
Babywearing: baby in front in a standard Tula and 3 year old in back in a toddler Tula
Update 2016: Since writing this post my babywearing stash has changed and I now have 2 kids. I have a Tula toddler I use with my oldest. As far as my second baby, I used only a ring sling for the first 2 months. Then I used both an infant Kinderpack and a ring sling. At around 8 months I stopped using the Kinderpack and now I mostly use a standard Tula and a ring sling.
I think that’s pretty much the basics and my experience with babywearing. I’ll go into more detail about the carriers I own in another post. If you have any babywearing questions, please leave a comment. I’d love to help out any mama that would like to wear her baby. It changed my life and I’m sure it will change yours.
Do you love babywearing? Did it change your life?
Great info!! I wish I would’ve researched more before Yadiel was born because I carried him in one of those god awful forwards facing carrier for a few months. I still use my Ergo when I absolutely need to carry Isaac, like at the airport the other day. SAVED MY LIFE, lol. He tried escaping the whole time but it was so nice to have it.
I wish I would have researched more too. I think it’s something you just don’t know much about when you don’t have kids.
And yes, the carriers are AWESOME for travelling. Even if they don’t like it, it’s better to have them there while you go through security and get to you gate than having to chase a toddler and have security all over you.
Thank you so much for this great information! I especially love that you mention Hip Dysplasia. So many mothers know nothing about it. I still baby wear sometimes at 20 months, and I still wear her facing me. This is great and I’ll definitely be sharing. 😉 Thanks so much for sharing and linking up with the #SHINEbloghop!
I’m glad you found it useful. It is scary that so many carriers that are not good for your babies hips are sold. I love that you still baby wear your 20 month old – just like me! 🙂
What’s your favorite carrier now that she’s a toddler?
I love your giant collection of babywearing carriers! I just got a Happy Baby Wrap and I love it! We also have a more durable Chicco one for when our babies are a bit older, and we used that one all the time with Little J. Now that I have two I am definitely going to be wearing our little girl a lot more. Especially when we go out! I like the idea of not having to worry about other people asking to hold her when she is in a carrier!
Haha! It’s not so giant. Although my husband wouldn’t agree.
How do you like the Chicco one? Is it the one for hiking where they sit on your back?
And yes, babywearing is awesome when you have more than one kid. A must!
Mei tais are my favorite! I have tried the ergo & liked it but it was a little bulky around my waist/hip area. Maybe bc I am super short?? Great post. Cant wait til my 2nd baby to arrive, I am so ready to wear her close! <3
I like the flexibility of mei tais and that they’re not as bulky to carry in your bag but I don’t like that it doesn’t have buckles.
What are you planning to use with your second baby? Sounds like a wrap or a sling might be better for you.
I loved wearing my girls. My first one didn’t like it as much as my second one but nonetheless, I loved it… and it was an exceptional bonding time.
It’s so important that their legs are positioned properly… it’s great that you mentioned that (and shared the graphic too).
Thanks for sharing and linking up to the #SHINEbloghop.
Wishing you a lovely weekend.
xoxo
I didn’t know you wore your girls. One more reason why I think you’re so awesome! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by.
I had a sling with my first and it was wonderful. Especially since we moved three weeks after he was born and I really needed a way to go hands free. My only regret is that I didn’t use it more. With our second on the way I suspect I’ll be using it a lot more often since I have a toddler to chase around as well. I’d been looking for ideas on other styles of slings and carriers and I’m so happy that I found this post. Thank you for the wonderful information.
I can’t imagine my life without babywearing. It’s so useful to have 2 free hands. 🙂
So have you decided what you’re getting? If you still have that ring sling I’m sure you’ll be using it a lot. 🙂
My first (and only) sling was by Blue Celery. I didn’t have the nerve to try one with a ring. It used two folding panels and a third that served as a wrap. It was quick and very easy to use. I think I may try the ring style this time around. I was intimidated by the tying and fearful that I wouldn’t be able to do it correctly or quickly. The Blue Celery model took all of the guess work out.
Oh I never heard of that one. I’ll have to look into it! The ring sling is soooo easy to use. You can’t really do it wrong. It did take me a few days to adjust it quickly but it was easy. 🙂
Thank you for this! Do you have a comparison of your MGG and your KP?
I don’t but I’m planning to make one. If you have any specific questions let me know and I’ll answer them for you. 🙂
I’m actually interested in the same! Expecting my first in about two weeks and up until now I’ve been lusting over kp but am very curious about mgg. There’s not much info out there about mgg, though. Is it even possible to use them for a newborn? Quality wise, how do you feel the two compare? If you could pick only one, which would it be? Thanks!
MGG are custom made so they are made according to the size you need. That being said, the smallest of their carriers is still too big for a newborn so it’s not a good option for you right now. I think both are pretty good quality and worth it, However if I had to get one I would get the KP infant. It works with newborns and you can use it for a long time – I’ve seen people use the infant with 1-2 year olds. Also, I would get the full panel KP because the hoodie hood it has is great!
I love babywearing! I use a ring sling with my 7month old. I wish I used it when he was born but I couldn’t figure it out at first. I use a soft structured carrier when I really want to move around but it hurts my lower back. I wish my 1st I down the research. We babywore a little bit but I used an older style carrier so his legs weren’t in the M style..so far my only regret. #babywearinglover. Thank for information
I learned so much more about babywearing later on so don’t have any regrets.
What carrier are you using now? Have you tried putting the waist band higher? I’ve found that is the one thing that prevents me from getting back pain when babywearing.
I use a ring sling-it usually stays in the car.handy for out and about shopping. The other is a new style evenflo. Can’t remember the name but it promotes proper leg formation unlike some of their older styles. I used it today and did wear the back support higher and seemed to help. Thanks for the tip
We love our ring slings! I haven’t heard of that new carrier but I’ll definitively check it out. Wearing the waist band higher always made me feel more comfortable. 🙂
Great guide!! Parents planning to buy baby carriers for the first time will surely find these tips useful! Keep Sharing!!