September Member of the Month Nikki Moore

One of our newest VBE's, Nikki Moore is our Member of the Month! 

Let's start simple; your name, children's names and ages?
My name is Nikki Moore and I am mom to two amazing little men – Samuel, 4 years, and Micah, 16 months.

How long have you been wearing?
I've never really thought about how long I've been wearing but I've been wearing on and off for the last four years, since Sam was a baby.

What led you to Babywearing and how has it changed your parenting?
My sister-in-law had her fourth while I was pregnant with my first. When we were visiting, we went to see a musical at a theatre and my sister wore my niece the ENTIRE show in her Moby Wrap. I knew I wanted to give babywearing a shot after that. I had a gauze wrap and a Hotsling when Sam was a baby. It didn't change my parenting terribly much with Sam, but when my second came around, babywearing was a lifesaver. Micah has milk/soy protein intolerance and had a really rough first 6 months as we tried to figure out what was wrong and get him better. Wearing him was one of the only ways he would nap for a while. We branched out to a Wrapsody stretch-hybrid and woven wraps. As he got better, I continued wearing him a lot because I discovered how great it was to be able to take care of my big kid and the baby at the same time. It was wonderful to be free of our stroller so we were able to navigate crowded places easily and go places a stroller can't go, like hiking in the mountains. It's enabled us to do more as a family, even with a little guy in tow. It's even allowed me to participate more in church.

Have you had an interesting Babywearing experience you'd like to share? When Micah was two months old we went to Dollywood with my dad and his family. They were visiting for a short time and it was the only day they could go to Dollywood. But it rained all day - despite a weather report saying it was going to be nice. We had already bought our admission so we decided to stay. Everybody else bought ponchos. I bought an umbrella. I wore Micah on my front in my wrap, zipped up my windbreaker around us, and held my umbrella over us all day. We were the driest members of our party!

Sweet Baby Cuddles

What is your favorite carrier and why do you prefer it?
I love my wraps. They are just so incredibly versatile. I can do front and back and hip and several variations on each. I like to have options! But I also use our Kinderpack and ring sling often too. The different carriers all have their place in our family!

Do you feel like you have support from family and friends on wearing your baby?
I think I'm winning them over. My husband has totally been won over. He loves wearing Micah in the Kinderpack and loves the freedom we have thanks to babywearing. He sings the praises of babywearing to anyone he can. I shared that my sister-in-law is a babywearer as well. My mom even bought a wrap for a coworker as a baby shower gift after seeing me wear my baby! Beyond that, most of my family and friends think it's funny that I wear Micah, but they also see how happy he is when he's being worn. We did get a lot of comments about him being spoiled or people not knowing he was able to walk when he was walking for a couple months at that point, but for the most part we've had lots of positive comments. Our family and close friends see how babywearing helped us get through the rough times with Micah.

What do you like to spend time doing aside from babywearing and spending time with your kiddos?
I love to sew and crochet and make things with my hands. Creating is such a wonderful outlet for me.

What is your favorite thing about living in Knoxville?
Living in the Knoxville area provides such a wide variety of things to do. There's really so many options. We have no excuse for being bored with the mountains and the city and the lakes. I love that there is so much natural beauty and great opportunities to be exposed to the arts as well. What's your favorite cartoon from childhood? I was a Nickelodeon kid growing up so my favorites were Rugrats and Doug. Although, going back and watching Rugrats after you have kids brings a whole new meaning to the show!

Gotta have some juicy in every interview right? Tell us one guilty pleasure of yours?
I am a pretty big geek. I love a good video game. After particularly rough days, my husband and I get on some of our favorite video games and kill monsters together. I carry a Nintendo 3DS almost everywhere with me. I love Star Wars, Doctor Who, Nintendo stuff, and you will often see me wearing a geeky t-shirt.

What do you like best about BWI?
I love that the focus is on spreading the babywearing love and making it accessible to everyone. Babywearing is such a wonderful parenting tool and BWI really wants to share that with the parenting community at large.

What would you like to see in the future with BWI?
I am excited to see our chapter expand and reach more families! I want to see safe babywearing be shared with as many people as possible. Babywearing can be such an incredible help. People need to know the option is out there! What's the cutest habit of your kiddos you feel the need to share with the world? Sam likes to introduce Micah to everyone. Everywhere we go, he tells people, “That's Micah. He's 1 year old.” He also likes to teach Micah things, so we will catch him teaching Micah about numbers and letters, animals, the

weather, and just about everything. Micah is my spunky boy. He's incredibly expressive and very determined. One of my favorite things he does is that he gives unsolicited kisses, complete with his own version of the “mwah” sound. So adorable!

Let's be open ended and vague to close: anything else you just want to tell us about yourself?
I love to have meaningful conversation. I love a good movie or play. I really enjoy being out in nature. I grew up in New Jersey and miss the ocean terribly, but have come to love the mountains as well. I love to be able to help people. I feel strongly that each family has their own journey to walk. What works for one family might not work for another. I really want to support families as they figure out what life as a family means for them and what works for them.

She makes it look so easy! Troubleshooting your carrier

Ever put on a carrier and wonder, what the heck did I do wrong? Why does everyone else make this look so easy? Well, we're here to help!

From ring slings to pouches to wraps, I am going to give you some tips on how to make your carrier more comfortable so you can make it look easy, too.

First things first, make sure that while you are trying new carries and carriers, you follow the weight limits of your carrier and the safety guidelines. If you have any questions about this, feel free to ask your VBE's, we're here to help.

Carriers:

Ring Slings: One of my favorite carriers is a ring sling. It is great for beginners.

Problem: The ring sling hurts your shoulder.

Solution: Try spreading the fabric of the ring sling over your shoulder. It also helps to make sure that the fabric is not twisted on your back and that it is spread out.

Problem: The rings are hurting your shoulder

Solution: Put the rings at "corsage" position, not too high on your shoulder, but not too close to baby.

Don't worry, Dylan is only practicing with a pretend baby.

Wraps: There are so many different ways to wrap, and therefore several different was to troubleshoot, but here are just a few.

Problem: The wrap is uncomfortable on your shoulders.

Solution: Make sure the wrap is tight enough. The best way to tighten is "rail by rail". This is a common term used in the wrapping world, and it just means grabbing the top hem of the wrap, pulling to tighten and then gathering the middle to tighten and continuing to grab and tighten until you reach the bottom hem of the wrap, keeping the tension the whole time.

Make sure that baby is high enough. It also may be the carry you are trying. Ruck straps (where both shoulders of the wrap go from the seat of baby directly to your shoulders) tend to put more pressure, like in a rucksack carry, versus a rebozo pass (where there is one shoulder pass and one pass that goes around your body and then over your shoulder), like that in a double hammock, tend to put less pressure on your shoulders.

Ruck straps - Rucksack Carry

Carry with a chest/rebozo pass - Double Hammock

Problem: The tails are too long.

Solution: You can tie Tibetan, or do a knotless finish. This just means taking the tails, crossing them over your chest and looping them under the shoulder strap, then tying in front. Another way to get your tails off the floor is to wrap the tails of the carrier around your body one more time. For example, in a front wrap cross carry, generally the wrap ties in the back, but if you have long tails, you can wrap around and tie under babies bum in the front.

Rucksack carry tied Tibetian

Soft Structured Carriers: Great for quick ups and downs and convenient when it rains (no wrap tails dragging on the ground in the grocery store parking lot).

Problem: The straps dig into your underarms

Solution: Tighten the shoulder straps

Tightening allows the bottom part of the strap to pull away from your body

Problem: Your back is hurting.

Solution: Make sure that your baby is in the proper size for his/her age and size. A properly fitted carrier will make it so baby has a wide enough seat and will distribute the weight evenly on your shoulders. Also make sure that baby is high enough.

Grandma is carrying her grandson nice and high (close enough to kiss)

Pouch slings: These carriers are great, widely available and relatively inexpensive.

Problem: The pouch is too loose. 

Solution: The pouch may be too large, or you just may need to flip the shoulder. This allows you to tighten the carrier a little bit. Since pouches are sized, it is important to find the right size. Most manufacturers will have a sizing chart. But an easy way to tell is measure from the top of your shoulder to your belly button. This will give you an estimation for the length/ size you will need.

Pouch sling with an older baby. This is a great fit for mom and baby. Baby is nice and snug and the carrier fits mom properly.

An example of a shoulder flip

Some general wrapping tips:

Once you feel confident with wrapping on the front, and baby is sitting up unassisted, you may want to try back wrapping.

A good back carry to start with is the back wrap cross carry.

Make sure that you have a spotter, someone to go behind you and catch baby is he/she starts to fall. You may also try wrapping over a bed or couch.

Getting a good seat: Make sure that baby is knee to knee in the carrier. This is the most comfortable for baby, and distributes the weight evenly so that it is easier on your back, too.

While wrapping, once you get baby on your back, reach under baby's legs and pull the fabric up under his bum, between your body and his. If you bounce a little, this helps baby to slip into place and the wrap to slip between you and baby.

Getting baby high enough on your back: When putting baby on your back, make sure that they start out higher than you want. The process of wrapping generally makes baby drop a couple inches. 

These are just a few examples to help you out as you learn to wear your baby. The best way is to get hands on help at a meeting from your VBE's. We are happy to help you!

Member of the Month - August

Introducing Our August Member of the Month! 

Good Snuggles to be found with Babywearing

Let's start simple; your name, children's names and ages?

Brittany Ridley, Clay (1 year)

How long have you been wearing?

I have been wearing Clay since he was born.

What led you to Babywearing and how has it changed your parenting? 

I liked the idea of wearing my baby, to help make it easier for my husband and I to go hiking and not have to carry him when we knew we would be on our feet. I bought a K’Tan because it was on sale, and looked similar to a Moby, though I had no idea what it was or how to use it. I just knew it didn’t cost as much as a Moby or a Baby Bjorn.

Have you had an interesting Babywearing experience you'd like to share?

Enjoying the freedom for walks

I think the most interesting experience I had was trying to wrap a baby at over 5000ft on a mountain bald (grassy, tree-less area on top of a mountain), in high winds. I nearly lost the wrap to the wind a couple of times, but go him wrapped on my back after a minute or two. It wasn’t even my wrap, so that was definitely scary.


What is your favorite carrier and why do you prefer it?

I definitely love my wraps (size 2 and 4) because I like how versatile they are. I do LOVE my Tula for hiking and as something easy for my husband to use, but I prefer how snuggly I can get Clay in my wraps.

Do you feel like you have support from family and friends on wearing your baby? 

My friends and family may at times think I’m silly, but they cannot deny how happy he is when he is being worn and how much it calms him down when he is tired or grumpy. I am fortunate not to get negative feedback from him. I think they just think it’s silly, but it works, so no need to fuss about it. What do you like to spend time doing aside from babywearing and spending time with your kiddo(s)? I work full time for a local company, and do enjoy my team there. In my off time, I LOVE to spend time in the mountains in Tellico (close to my home in Sweetwater). Tennessee is such a beautiful state and I make a point to enjoy it as often as possible. I also just love to spend time with friends and family. They bless my life.

What is your favorite thing about living in Knoxville? 

Well, I actually live in Sweetater, but love East Tennessee as a whole because the climate is amazing. I grew up in northern Illinois and don’t miss the flat land or the SNOW. I do miss black dirt, but I can deal with the red clay if it means I get mountains to play on.

What's your favorite cartoon from childhood?

This is a tough question, because I liked several… Looney Tunes was definitely up there, but more than cartoons I really enjoyed Wallace and Gromit clay-mation shows and ANYTHING Jim Hensen (Muppets, Sesame Street, Fairy Tale Theater, etc.)

Gotta have some juicy in every interview right? Tell us one guilty pleasure of yours? 

Driving to nowhere. I don’t care what gas costs, but when I need to relax I just drive for hours. I never have a destination, just pick a road and go until I feel like turning onto another one. This is usually a 2 or 3 hour event, since I feel like turning around after about an hour or more.

What do you like best about BWI? 

I like that there is a place to refer any care-giver that wants more information about babywearing - whether they know it as a term or just an action. It just makes it easier to share knowledge in person then through selfies on the internet.

What would you like to see in the future with BWI? 

I would like to see it grow into something helpful and easily accessible to folks from all areas of town (and across East Tennessee). I hope to see us add enough VBEs and other educators to branch out and help share this child-rearing blessing to more and more families.

What's the cutest habit of your kiddos you feel the need to share with the world? 

Look at that cute face peeking out! 

His ability to giggle at anything, with great enthusiasm. He is so smiley and giggly, it’s infectious. I try to emulate that personality, because it’s nearly impossible to be upset with so much smiling and laughing going on. Let's be open ended and vague to close: anything else you just want to tell us about yourself? I’m pretty easy going. I look for the best in everyone, because their story is not my own and they have a reason behind their actions. I’m always looking to improve on things I know, and learn things I don’t. I may not agree with everyone about everything (because that would be a lie), but I will agree that we have different opinions and share information or just avoid talking about it if that subject starts an argument. I can be friends with people who have different opinions, as long as we have something to share. There is so much that can be learned from others, there is no reason to lock myself inside a box and hide away. Step out and take a risk and see where it takes you. 

Let's be open ended and vague to close: anything else you just want to tell us about yourself?

I’m pretty easy going. I look for the best in everyone, because their story is not my own and they have a reason behind their actions. I’m always looking to improve on things I know, and learn things I don’t. I may not agree with everyone about everything (because that would make be a lie), but I will agree that we have different opinions and share information or just avoid talking about it if that subject starts an argument. I can be friends with people who have different opinions, as long as we have something to share. There is so much that can be learned from others, there is no reason to lock myself inside a box and hide away. Step out and take a risk and see where it takes you.

Wearing While Feeding

Babywearing: the greatest invention ever! Giving mamas freedom to move with their child safely attached to their font or back while having two, count em TWO, hands free! Whats not to love am I right?

You can do so many things while wearing; you can keep up with your older child, who may or may not be trying to turn your wall into an easel, wash the dishes, or go on a relaxing walk without having to worry about where baby is or what they are doing, you can even feed your baby in the carrier (this my friends is one of the greatest skills a mom can acquire)!

 If your too late and need some help getting that new drawing off the wall try this----> http://www.howcast.com/videos/161520-How-to-Clean-Crayon-Marks-Off-Painted-Walls

Nursing hands free

As many of you know August is World Breastfeeding month so the focus will be breastfeeding in a carrier but we will also touch on bottle feeding as well.

Many moms plan to breastfeed their babies but may become overwhelmed with how often or how long their new squish is nursing and the amount of time they are sitting stationary. I remember this feeling so well, in the beginning I loved just hanging out and relaxing just nursing my little one but as the dishes piled high and the laundry went unwashed I witnessed first hand my house becoming a squalid mess. Of course during this time I attempted to clean but my sweet newborn needed my attention more (obviously). Everyone encouraged me to not worry about the mess or dishes etc. but it was impossible. If just one person had recommended wearing my baby to do these simple, yet overwhelming, tasks I would have been so much happier.

Co-leader Mary BF her youngest while older sis takes a sleepy ride 

Feeding your baby can be the best at times but occasionally it may feel as if you are shackled to that chair or sofa All Day Long! Feeding in a carrier lets you break those chains and gives you new found freedom to continue that shopping trip, you were almost finished with, without stopping to find a place to sit down.  No more sitting on the couch for hours while baby is camped out for a long feeding during a growth spurt. You now have the ability to spring into action and finish those all important things on your never ending to-do list(s).

Co-leader Ashley nursing youngest out and about

 All 5 types of carriers are adjustable and are all capable to be used for feeding as well. Some may work well for a mom and baby couplet and others may not. Don't be discouraged if it doesn't work out the first time you try; it can take a little practice. If you decide to come to a meeting one of our VBE's ( volunteer babywearing educators) can help you get into a carrier that will work for all your needs including feeding.

Babywearing can help facilitate breastfeeding in many ways. If baby is being worn mom or dad are more readily available to see baby's early hunger cues (hands in the mouth, rooting- searching for the breast, or even smacking their lips) and respond quickly. Having a calm mama and baby can ease breastfeeding as well so knowing the early cues and responding promptly can make a world of difference. 

1 week old ZA practicing skin to skin while BF

Skin to skin during babywearing can help mama's milk production by stimulating milk producing hormones for mom.








Babywearing still can come in handy for the older nursling too. It is easy for them to stay hydrated or reconnect with mom after a scrape on the play ground or during a emotionally overwhelming incident.

My big girl BF after a long hot trip to the zoo

Maybe mom is a little overwhelmed about nursing in public and needs a better option than a blanket to nurse discretely. Breastfeeding in a carrier can be so discrete at times people you come in contact with may not even know you are nursing your child.

Safety

While feeding in your carrier there are a few safety issues to always check for. Remember baby should always be in a natural position mimicking in arms of the caregiver; the only exception to this rule is when baby is feeding. Always double check that no fabric is covering baby's airways and baby's chin is off of his/her chest (no grunting noises). While nursing in a carrier check often to make sure baby's airways are clear for easy breathing and more efficient milk transfer.

How to breastfeed in your carrier

 Many mothers ask how do I breastfeed in a carrier? Well the answer isn't always simple because it can vary depending on the age, ability, or baby and the type of carrier mom and baby are wearing. For SSC's ,like the Ergo, it is usually easiest to loosen one shoulder strap then scoot baby (and carrier) to the breast on the loose side to breastfeed. For a ringsling some prefer a upright position and others prefer a cradle carry so this will also depend on the way you like to nurse. First lower baby by pulling on the bottom ring to loosen the carrier, make sure there is at least one hand on baby during this step. Next position baby either upright or to the side in a cradle position and latch baby on. Then tighten the ringsling to have a little more support for mom and baby.  Mei tai's and wraps are very similar to the process decribed for the SSC. You would untie and loosen the straps by bouncing/shifting baby to one side while lowering baby. Retie when you are in a optimal nursing position. With a Pouch Sling most women prefer to nurse baby in the cradle position. Making a few adjustments and shifting baby to a cradle position is the usual protocol.

Need a visual for adjusting a wrap to be able to nurse? Check out my tutorial for half FWCC--> HERE!

What do I do after baby is done nursing?

Put baby back into a upright position where their chin is off their chest and baby is close enough to kiss the top of their sweet smelling noggin.

1st position before or after feeding, 2nd position BF in a RS, 3rd position bottle nursing

Other Feeding/Bottle Nursing

Moms who use bottles can also feed in a carrier. This mom from VA explains the process of bottle feeding in a carrier well, " I found it easy to put my babies in a carrier to bottle feed and to then have one hand free. To bottle feed, place your baby in a carrier and lower him or her just enough to give space for the bottle. If I am holding the bottle I find it most comfortable to place my hand underneath and up into the carrier to hold the bottle. It simulates nursing well and we can gaze into each other’s eyes, or I can wipe something off of my 3 year old’s face, or assist my 6 year old in researching the state flower of Virginia. Most importantly there are many ways we can feed our babies in a loving way and still accomplish all the tasks we need to throughout our day." Bottle nursing in this fashion can promote bonding with caregivers when breastfeeding doesn't work, isn't possible, or isn't the right choice for a family. Just because you are not breastfeeeding, doesn't mean your baby can't enjoy the bonding benefits of being held while feeding.  And just because you want to hold baby and bottle nurse doesn't mean you have to give up accomplishing others tasks.


Happy wearing and feeding, mamas!


Sarah Murray VBE,BFPC

Baby, It's Hot Outside! - Your Guide to Summer Babywearing

Baby, It’s Hot Outside!

Staying cool by enjoying Popsicles at the Farmer's Market 

Let’s face it one of the top concerns, other than basic safety questions is, “but won’t we be hot?!” when discussing babywearing. This is especially a common concern in the South, where I happen to live. Sometimes, starting in May, temperatures can get up up 80-90 degrees. In July and August it’s not uncommon to see temps in the 100’s.  I’m not the type of person that spends my life indoors either. .

Again, let’s face it, there are also some  real concerns associated with being too hot so we need to address a few good tips, some good tricks, and some overall good practices when it comes to babywearing in the heat.


Babywearing in the Water
Any time it’s about 85 degrees I like to have water available. Thankfully because I am in the South there are no shortages of splash pads, water parks, pools, and other streams and creeks that one can find themselves near to cool off when needed.
Water comes with its own potential dangers that I do take very seriously so it is important to me to be very cautious of this element during the warmer months. One of my favorite ways to keep the baby cool with me AND safe is to use a babywearing product designed for water wear. My personal favorite is a babywearing water sling which is made out of a mesh sturdy material that threads through two rings and drapes over the wearers body, allowing you to drop the baby into a ‘pocket’ created with the fabric against your body. You can either wear baby tummy-to-tummy against your chest or an older baby with head control can be moved onto your hip.
The water sling is wonderful for splash pads or other shallow water scenarios to allow baby to get wet and enjoy the water without the safety concern of drowning. A water sling can be used in SHALLOW WATER but should never be used to “swim” with the baby attached to your body. If you are able to comfortably stand in the water with it coming no further than the babies waist in the sling you should be okay aside from places the ground could drop off or the water moves quickly. These are places children should not be enjoying the water at all.

Getting ready to play in the sprinklers in our water sling

There is another product called a Water Wrap which is made from a long piece of mesh sturdy material which is wrapped around the users body and baby to secure them closely just as the sling. Some people prefer the wrap over the sling because the wrap allows a two shoulder carry versus the single shoulder on the sling.

Knoxville CoLeader Carrie
in her Water Wrap

Both of these options are amazing when you have a smaller baby and older children to watch over. You don’t want to be stuck on the side lines with a stroller in the heat while your other kids are out in the water having fun without you! (Or possible dangerous situations where you could not get to them easily)

Some more fun ideas that other moms have used are; the Bali Breeze wraps which are made of thin gauze cotton that dries quickly and the ever creative mom using a beach towel for torso

Torso Carry using a beach
towel by co-leader Ashley

carries on the beach as needed.

The pod is a lot like a mei tai and tends to be
fairly cool in the summer months

Which Carrier is Best?
There are a lot of personal preferences for this question. In general there are some specific products made for babywearing in the heat.
Ergo makes a soft structure carrier that has a panel in the back to allow breathability called the Ergo Performance. It is a lighter weight and less padded option than the original Ergo to make it cooler in the summer or when being used out on hikes or walks.
Boba makes a product called the Boba Air which is made of a very thin, super strong material that provides the option of folding it into its own tiny built in carrying bag which folds down super small and can be dropped in about any bag. However, most people do find that it is not as supportive as the regular Boba soft structure carrier.
Bamberoo soft structure carriers have a product line that includes a middle paneling of Solarveil which is a very light weight almost mesh fabric that makes the carrier very breathable. Solarveil is however no longer being created so the only way to find these products are on the used markets.
Kinderpacks are another popular SSC carry brand that offers a Cool Knit and Comfort Mesh options for the heat.
Many people enjoy Mei Tai’s and Pods during the summer months without having to purchase a specific carrier just for the summer as well.

My Eldest wearing
my second in a Mei
Tai at a Street Festival

When Talking About Wovens, What materials and carries are best?
First, there are again some specific brands that market to keeping you and baby cool. The Bali Breeze is the most known of those choices. They are made of cotton gauze and are very lightweight.
Other than that the material will be the most important when choosing a woven wrap for the heat. Linen is often looked upon as the coolest material to use in the heat. I have found that linen is helpful but it also needs to be a thinner wrap such as Vatani, Ellaroo and some of the thinner Ellevill Zara’s, like Triblue. Cotton is often the second choice with Dolcino and India Jani being at the top of the list.

Ellevil Zara tends to be
light and airy

Now that you have an idea on material, let’s talk about sizing and carries to look for.
I find the less the material the better when it comes to a true woven wrap. (The Breeze is a tad different as it is so lightweight you’ll want several passes) so shorties, wraps size 4 and under, are most often preferred. If you are very new to wrapping you might want to choose the longer side of short as shorties can be a little harder to get the hang of.
A simple easy carrier to do with even the shortest of wraps is the Rebozo carry which is fashioned much like a sling, instead using a knot to secure a fit. It’s a single pass carry that will help keep the wearer and the baby cool.
Another favorite of mine is the strap carry which goes across the baby’s back, under the arms (must be used for babies with good trunk control only) and then crosses under the bum to keep them in

The Strap Carry 

but only uses a thin strap instead of full body coverage.
The Reinforced Rear Ruck Rebozo (Also known as the “Pirate Carry or RRRR) is also a very common summer back carry which is great with short wraps and does not create very much material over wearer and baby.
Sticking with less passes over the user and baby is generally going to keep everyone the coolest.

What are some other ways to keep cool and protect baby from the heat?

First dress the part. This is for both you and the baby. Keep baby in less clothing. Cute outfits are great and serve a purpose but if baby is riding with you no one is going to see them anyway. Some people will leave baby in a diaper alone. Others may opt for a light onesie or T-Shirt. You can always add clothing when baby is not in the carrier. The same will apply to you. Many people will prefer to wear a light tank top when wearing in the summer. If you or your baby tends to get extra sweaty and sticky you might opt for a light t-shirt.
Everyone needs to stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water yourself. If you are nursing, nurse frequently. Make sure everyone is taking in lots of fluids.
Another important tip to wearing in the summer is big floppy hats. You can provide sun coverage to both you and baby in a great big floppy hat and they are never out of fashion in the South ;-) Baby can wear their own adorable little sunhats too. 

Ashley using a DIY linen sling
and a cute summer hat 

Wear sunscreen and if baby is old enough they can use some too. If not be aware of body parts that are in the sun and use a thin muslin like blanket to keep the direct sun off of their tender skin. Thin babylegs and similar options are also better than having no protection from the hot summer sun. There are products such as the Peekaru Ozone and Monkey Products which can be used to protect the baby’s skin in a carrier as well.
Wet everyone down. Use spray bottles to spritz yourself and baby on occasion. Remember sweat is your friend. You can wet down the muslin blanket to keep baby cooler. Or use specific products like the Frog Toggle or Water Bandanas. Anything you can wet down and drape over baby or lay across the back of neck and shoulders are going to be your friend.
More than anything you need to be smart about being out in the summer months. Find shade and shelter. When possible avoid going out during peak sunny hours. Be aware of how both you and your children are reacting to the summer heat.

We hope you enjoy the summer! 

Happy Father's Day to all our babywearing daddies!

Happy Father's Day from Babywearing International of Knoxville!

Dads and Baby Wearing

Like most, I was reluctant to start baby wearing. Scratch that... I absolutely did not want to do it. I don't know if it was a masculinity thing or an apathy thing, but nonetheless, I did NOT want to wear a baby.

My wife got into the whole thing when our eldest daughter was six months old. She got a knockoff brand Ergo and I used it a couple of times before the buckle broke and made it a safety hazard. Luckily, no kids were injured and we learned that if you are going to wear your child, invest a little more than 16 bucks because it's well worth it. I think of it like I think of guitars. You can absolutely find a cheap Burswood or Peavy guitar to play and get the job done, but the more you invest, say like in a Parker or Gibson, the better the guitar will be. There are exceptions to every rule, of course, but for the purposes of this blog, let's just say that it's worth it to do your homework and get something good. If you are going to go with something cheap and it breaks, you're still just wasting money. not cool.

So we forked out the cash and got an actual Ergo and it was immediately more comfortable, for me and baby.
     So I used that for a while, but while I was still getting comfortable with the idea of baby wearing, my wife had already discovered the very large realm of wraps, pods, ring slings, and wrap conversions. I quickly learned that there is a LOT to this whole baby wearing thing, and I had just scratched the surface.
     Then I discovered how amazing a pod is. A pod is essentially two long straps and a flap that becomes the baby's seat. AMAZING!!!!

Ok, overenthusiastic. I get it. But still, this thing got some serious daily use.
     When our second young un' was born, we were in an awkward phase for the pod. Big One was a little big for it to be terribly comfortable for long periods of time; while Little One was a little too small to enjoy it. So I learned a few new tricks. I'll admit, I can really only do one carry with a regular wrap. The front wrap cross carry (FWCC in wrapper lingo). It's the only one I know, but it is effective. I am proud to say that Little One only wants me to lay her down to sleep now because I would use the FWCC to lull her to sleep every night as an infant (I totally played NCAA football until well after she fell asleep on multiple occassions).
      We then had a few wraps converted into different things: ring slings, full buckles, etc... I now have a hot pink full buckle that I use nearly every day. Both kids fit in it well, and it is very fast and handy. I took Aria to the Orange and White game this year (GBO!), and if that carrier hadn't paid for itself by that point, it certainly earned its keep that day. We parked about a mile from the stadium. I wore her all the way to Neyland Stadium; then let her down at our seats to enjoy the game. No big stroller to push, and no worrying about her being trampled. After the event I put her back on my back for the trek back to the car. She passed out before I made it to the sidewalk and dangled limply (and happily) all the way back to the car.

     Look, I'm not going to try to convince every dad out there to wear their kids. Although, it is a fact that wearing kids will lead to a 76% increase of chicks checking you out. I will say that if you are too cool to try it, you are doing things the hard way. Oh, I'll just carry her/him sounds nice and easy until you have another kid (or two... or three) or several things to carry simultaneously. To be fair, you have a kid. You will ALWAYS have a lot to carry. Everyday tasks just become easier. Cleaning with a little one screaming at your feet or shopping with a child afflicted by Restless Leg Syndrome can be at least combated in a comfortable way.

       So all that to say, try babywearing. Seriously, it's awesome. And manly.

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