Wear Your Baby

Sleepy Wrap - Newborn Hold

A quick lesson that new parents learn is that babies looooove to be held. Duh, right? Well, you don't realize just how much they love it and just how little you get done until they're here. There begins the inner battle; you love holding your baby, but you also love having clean clothes to wear, making a sandwich (and actually eating it), and the occasional pee. That being said, one baby item that we quickly got addicted to was the baby carrier.

So far, our stash of baby wearing gear consists of a Moby Wrap, a Sleepy Wrap (on loan from a friend), an Infantino Front to Back (not a favorite, but we still have it), a Snug-a-Bug ring sling, and a Beco Butterfly (our newest addition). Wow, until I just typed that, I didn't realize how many we had! Finding a carrier that you love is like finding a comfy pair of running shoes. You need to do a little research, ask for recommendations, try some on, and, unfortunately, be ready to dish out some serious dough. While some carriers are less expensive (Moby & Sleepy Wraps cost around $40), some cost quite a bit more (our Beco ran us about $130). The key here is quality. A good carrier will not only be significantly more comfortable, but will last you through several kids, all while retaining its value if you choose to resell it.

Why Baby Wearing?

Ring Sling - Upright Hold

Lets back up a bit. Before you go looking for a carrier, you should probably know why baby wearing is SO awesome. Yes, it makes life a whole lot easier if you'd like the use of both hands, but it also has numerous benefits to both Momma and baby. Not only does wearing your baby significantly decrease crying, but it establishes a healthy connection and fosters trust. That being said, lets get this out of the way...

Wearing a baby does NOT spoil them. Period.

Seriously. Don't even think it because its just not true. Not only is it physically impossible to spoil a baby under 4 months, but a baby of any age simply cannot be "held too much." They want to be held because its all they know and its what they're made for. No matter how awesome your swing, bouncer, play mat, whatever is, it cannot take the place of a caregivers warm and comforting presence. Now, does that mean that we never put C down? Not at all! He naps in various baby receptacles all the time, but we wear him whenever we possibly can. For lots of great articles on the benefits of baby wearing, check out The Baby Wearer. It can be slightly overwhelming at first (its a huge site), but its got a wealth of knowledge that I couldn't even begin to repeat here.

Beco Butterfly

Finding a Carrier
A good way to start when looking for a carrier is by asking around. While baby wearing isn't exactly main stream, you never know who's got a carrier in their closet from when their children were small. My first wrap, the Sleepy Wrap, was lent to me by a friend who suggested it for a very colicky, 1 month old C. It helped so much that I began looking into what else was out there. When I was looking for something a little quicker to put on, our ring sling and Beco were suggestions from other friends who had used them. I knew what I was getting before I laid out the money. If there aren't any baby wearing Mommas in your social circle, look for a baby wearing group in your area. Most Mommas have several carriers and are eager to spread the good word about baby wearing. A simple Google or Facebook search should do the trick.

Infantino Front to Back

As for buying a carrier, many can be found directly through the company online, but many can also be found through consignment shops (how I found my ring sling for half the price) or through online forums. Well made carriers hold their value and are ideal for reselling. There are a lot of different kinds of carriers out there - stretchy wraps, woven wraps, slings, soft carriers, mei tais, and more. Aside from a lot of other good information on attachment parenting and natural living, the site Becoming Mamas has a section on baby wearing and is a great resource for decoding the mystery of baby carriers to help you find one that is right for you and your baby.

If you're wondering, yes, I really did spend $130 on a baby carrier. To be totally honest, it was worth every penny and is currently my favorite. Its ridiculously comfortable, made of soft, washable organic cotton, and most importantly, C absolutely loves it. And as you know (or will eventually find out), what makes baby happy is worth its weight in gold.