You Know I'm All About Those Buckles

You may see them called soft structured carriers, SSCs, buckle carriers, or even WCFB (wrap conversion full buckle) or WCHB (wrap conversion half buckle). But these back pack style carriers that clip on are probably the most user friendly carrier options there are. Perfect for Dads and great for toddlers that are up and down a lot, these carriers are pretty straight forward, easy to use, and quick. For this reason, they probably don't get talked about enough. So we decided to focus this month on all things buckles! We asked our lovely Volunteer Babywearing Educators a few questions about buckles that will hopefully give you some insight into these great carriers!

Jenny and her wrap conversion with her toddler

Anna Hurley

VBE, Anna's husband carrying their daughter in a WCFB

1. What is your favorite kind/brand of soft structured carrier? Definitely Boba for a little baby. It just fit my body type better than an Ergo. Okay, and I love the Beco Butterfly Original but I can't find one for the life of me :(
2. In your opinion, what are the benefits to using a SSC? SSCs are great for when people are staring and you are afraid to wrap in front of them in the parking lot.
3. In your opinion, what are the downsides to using a SSC? They are not necessarily a one size fits all type of carrier like say a ringsling or a long wrap.
4. If you could have your dream buckle carrier, what would it be like?  I want a Kinderpack.




Brittany Ridley
1. What is your favorite kind/brand of soft structured carrier? I have a Tula and really love how straight forward and easy it is to use. It's my favorite because it just fits my husband and I so well.

Brittany and her little man in a tula

2. In your opinion, what are the benefits to using a SSC? I like them for fast and easy ups and downs. My husband likes them because they are easy.
3. In your opinion, what are the downsides to using a SSC? I can't always get the weight distribution where I like it for long wearing, but it is usually fine.
4. If you could have your dream buckle carrier, what would it be like? I guess if I could get a Tula with side clips so I could cross the straps I might call that perfect.

Nikki and her little guy with their kinderpack

Nikki Moore
1. What is your favorite kind/brand of soft structured carrier? Kinderpack. I love amount of adjustability and the fit! I love how deep the seat is too.
2. In your opinion, what are the benefits to using a SSC? SSCs are great for quick ups, squirmy toddlers, and for daddies!
3. In your opinion, what are the downsides to using a SSC? Fit varies from person to person. They aren't as versatile.
4. If you could have your dream buckle carrier, what would it be like? I'd love to be able to customize a carrier to exactly how I'd want it to look and function: ability to tighten the straps a tiny bit smaller, possibly a ring waist, slightly narrower straps and some really awesome fabric.

Mary and her older daughter wearing the littles in their tulas

Mary Rodio
1. What is your favorite kind/brand of soft structured carrier? Depends on the stage. I love Becos in general. I really like the Gemini for little babies the most. Followed by the original Butterfly, but because those are impossible to find, I think the Soliel is going to be a great substitute. For bigger babies and toddlers, it's going to be the Kinderpack. The Tula was at the top of that list until I tried the Toddler Kinderpack. It's pretty much love due to the deep deat darts and I find the webbing way more comfortable. 
2. In your opinion, what are the benefits to using a SSC? Benefits of a SSC is the ease of getting it on and off and quickness.

Mary and her daughter in their Beco Gemini

3. In your opinion, what are the downsides to using a SSC?  To me personally, I hate the waist band. I just don't like having things on my midsection generally. A good, proper fitted SSC is tolerable but still not my perferred carrier. They can be hard to get adjusted just right to to find that "sweet spot" for people like me. 
4. If you could have your dream buckle carrier, what would it be like? I love half buckles and ring waists..Does that count? The webbing in my favorite half buckle was very moldable and thin and I really enjoyed that. It would have deep seat darts like the Kinderpack for sure. Straps that can be unbuckled for a hip carry or crossed in the back.



Sarah Murray
1. What is your favorite kind/brand of soft structured carrier? At the moment my favortie SSC is the Kinderpack. The shoulder straps are extra cushy for my big toddler in tow and the seat is amazingly deep. I have one with the optional breathable panal which makes spring and summer wearing much more enjoyable with a thickly padded buckle carrier. Although we loved our Ergo well into 15-18mo the KP suits our needs now with a 3year old. 

Sarah and her daughter with their
Madame GooGoo
 wrap conversion

2. In your opinion, what are the benefits to using a SSC? There are many benefits to an SSC: they are easily and quickly adjustable for front, back, and (some styles) hip carries. Great for toddlers who want up one minute and back down the next. I've personally found SSC's l one of the easiest to discretely nurse in just because of the adjustability and the access of the sleep hood on some models.
3. In your opinion, what are the downsides to using a SSC? Downside not every SSC will fit every body type. Thank goodness there are many options, brands, and styles for our extremely petite mama's to our fluffier mama's as well. Also some models have features others don't such as sleep hoods and straps that unclasp to be able to hip carry in them.
4. If you could have your dream buckle carrier, what would it be like? I think I own my two dream SSC' s already. Between our solar veil KP and a custom wrap conversion Madame GooGoo created carrier I have to say I'm more than stashified when it comes to buckle carriers.

Carrie and her little man in their tula

Carrie Plemons
1. What is your favorite kind/brand of soft structured carrier? I really like my tula. I am tall and my kids are tall, too, and the tula fits our frame better.
2. In your opinion, what are the benefits to using a SSC? I love how quick it is to put my baby up. When they are fussy or if you are running errands and have to do several quick ups and downs, SSC's are great!
3. In your opinion, what are the downsides to using a SSC? The downsides of SSC's are that sometimes it can be hard to get a good fit for all ages. You need an infant insert when they are little, and when they are older, the seat may not be as comfortable.
4. If you could have your dream buckle carrier, what would it be like? I love Oscha's Okinami wrap (the one with the waves on it - I'm a California girl at heart) and would love a toddler wrap conversion made out of that wrap. 

Ashey's Husband rocking a Kinderpack
on a recent adventure

Ashley Teller


1. What is your favorite kind/brand of soft structured carrier? I am a huge Kinderpack fan. They have these amazing deep seats and wide cushy straps. Plus they have the most versatility in my opinion. They have an amazing infant size that has a cinchable seat so you can put baby legs out much earlier than others. Then they have a standard, toddler, and preschool. Plus they have standard or plus straps with Perfect Fit strap adjusters.

Ashley also enjoying the buckles on their
recent family adventure

2. In your opinion, what are the benefits to using a SSC? They are quick and easy. It's definitely my husband's favorite and the best for up and down toddler phase. It's also great for travel.
3. In your opinion, what are the downsides to using a SSC? They're not as adjustable and versatile as others. I don't find them as comfortable as wraps either.
4. If you could have your dream buckle carrier, what would it be like? It would be a wrap conversion Kinderpack and it would have some storage options for keys, phone, and water bottle so I could leave the diaper bag behind.

Some of your leaders enjoying the ease of the buckles

Even the leader's babies can enjoy a good buckle carrier themselves 

December Member of the Month: April Hamilton!

Meet April: mom, babywearer, musician, and our BWI of Knoxville Member of the Month!

Let's start simple; your name, children's names and ages?
April Hamilton.  Zilpha Fisher will be 2 on New Years Eve, and Charles Sawyer Fisher- EDD Feb. 9th 2015

How long have you been wearing? 

Multitasking at its finest

I started wearing Zilpha pretty immediately after her birth

What led you to babywearing and how has it changed your parenting?
I was very tired of being confined to a chair and needed to get chores done. I was so thrilled when I was able to conquer breastfeeding and babywearing simultaneously. After those gates were opened, I was unstoppable, being able to do laundry, clean, cook, and even play music.

Have you had an interesting babywearing experience you'd like to share?
The most interesting babywearing experience I’ve had is usually what the nursing home residents have to say to me when I put my daughter on my back before a show. I truly am a unicorn playing music and wearing my toddler to the elderly.

What is your favorite carrier and why do you prefer it?
I will always have a soft spot for a good comfy wrap, but because of the easy access of my SSC, I always reach for our KP.

Do you feel like you have support from family and friends on wearing your baby?
I have an extremely supportive mate and family!

What do you like to spend time doing aside from babywearing and spending time with your kiddo(s)?
There’s time that I’m suppose to have without my child? HA! Especially now that I am pregnant I NEVER get alone time…. but, if I were to have my alone time, I’d love to break out my sewing machine and quilt. 

Babywearing adventure

What is your favorite thing about living in Knoxville?
I love that this city is big enough to have different options of support groups for parenting styles but yet its small enough to feel like there’s still a community and not a mass of folks in a town.

What's your favorite cartoon from childhood?
Oy vey! Cartoon? As a single cartoon? That's impossible to narrow down, so I’ll go with a few, and I’m totally prepared to show my age. I loved Fraggle Rock, Muppet Babies, DuckTales, Inspector Gadget, Jem, and Pound Puppies just to name a few.

Gotta have some juicy in every interview, right? Tell us one guilty pleasure of yours? 
Guilty pleasure… hmmm… I have waaay to many carriers in my stash right now, and I can not sell one in fear that I’ll want it for the baby on the way. Pretty lame guilty pleasure, I know! Sorry! :) 

What do you like best about BWI?
LOVE the lending library! We also have some amazing women to help bring it all together. I have to say I’ll never forget meeting with Ashley Teller and her amazing teaching skills to help me feel confident in babywearing!

What would you like to see in the future with BWI?
Keep this amazing program going! I can only imagine all the babies and mama’s, like myself, who have been helped so much by this group!

Little music lover

What's the cutest habit of your kiddo(s) you feel the need to share with the world?  
I love how my daughter dances to basically any music she hears! she’ll also hold the microphone correctly and actually sing in it!

Let's be open-ended and vague to close: anything else you just want to tell us about yourself?  
Ummm...not really. I would love to get to more meetings and will eventually be able to. Maybe my opportunity will arise with the birth of my squish!

Shorty Lovin'

         

        When it comes to woven wraps, I hear the same thing over and over, "But it's just SO MUCH fabric!" And that's valid! When dealing with yard upon yard of high quality, heavy duty fabric (often as much as 17 feet), it is easy to become overwhelmed. Sure, you could go with a soft structured carrier or ring sling, but wrapping can be so much fun! Wraps can also serve to be much more multi-functional than other carriers. Do you have more than one wrap-ee in dramatically different sizes? No worries! Wraps to the rescue! The main reason I personally default to wrapping is that I have a lot of back issues. Carriers keep all the weight of baby on one area of the body. With a woven wrap, I can wrap one way, then switch it up to shift the weight once that place is sore.
   
        "But, but, my tails drag on the ground and get nasty!" "My toddler loses interest before I'm finished dealing with 5+ yards of fabric!" "I'm petite, and even a size 5 is more than I can handle!" Never fear! Shorties are here! Shorties are generally considered a size 1-3, and sometimes a size 4. Another perk? They are cheaper than the same wrap in a longer size! I also love to use my shorties as scarves in the winter. My children are getting older; so we don't wear as often these days. I love to still be able to make use of my wraps, and I can't count how many times it has come in handy to have a carrier on hand for unexpected nursing sessions (or "boo boo's" or over-stimulation...).

       But could a shorty possibly be as versatile as a long wrap? Honestly, I believe they are MORE versatile. The possibilities are endless, but I will try to list as many as I can. To give a frame of reference, I am 5'7" and about 160 pounds. I have very petite shoulders. My base size is a 5, but I need a 6 to have tails left over.

Size 1: Unless you are extremely small, a rebozo will be about all that you can do.

Size 2 and 3: I am combining these as the carries one tends to do in these are the same. The size of the wrapper and the child, as well as the skill level of the wrapper, will determine which size you need. Typically I find that the main carries I do in a 3, such as Half Jordan's Back Carry (Half JBC) or Double Rebozo (DR), I can tie at shoulder in a 2 or finish with a Candy Cane Chest Belt (CCCB)with a 3. I prefer a size 2 for a torso carry, but the tails are not cumbersome in a 3. If you need a front carry, rebozo will most likely be all that you can do in a 2. With a 3, however, I can also do a Semi Front Wrap Cross Carry and the Crankaroo. I need a 4 for a Kangaroo (which is another front carry). For back carries, the possibilities are endless. Below, I will list as many as I can think of, but I'm certain I will miss some. Please comment below if you think of any I have left out!

Double Hammock Rebozo and Double Hammock Double Rings

RRRR (Pirate Carry) and Ruck Tied at Shoulder

Short Cross Carry

Shepherd's Carry

Double Rebozo

Half Jordan's Back Carry

Ruck Tied under Bum

Back Rebozo

Torso Carry

Semi Front Wrap Cross Carry

Semi Front Wrap Cross Carry with Rings

Crankaroo

Front Rebozo

How to wear your Shorty as a Scarf

SCC vs. Half JBC vs. Double Rebozo

     

Baby it's Cold Outside! Cold Weather Wearing Tips and Tricks

MBE Rachel Dreyer shows us how it's done! 

There are some things here in the South that we do not always feel prepared for. Although it comes year after year we always seem surprised when the cold weather makes its first appearance. Then, suddenly it happens, one bout of cold and the next thing you know you have found yourself pulling out the coats from the closet and then MITTENS and HATS! The snow shows up and we are left each year going, "Whoa, what was that?!" just as soon as it melts and leaves us again.

During this season, that seems to get a little chillier each time, we are stuck scratching our heads as parents with just what do we do with the children to keep them warm, cozy, and safe. As babywearers we are left with even more questions! How many layers should we plan for? Can we use that carrier over coats? How do I keep my tails out of the snow? Now what?!

The great news is you can still babywear and keep your baby (and toddlers) close and toasty.

Your first step will be to decide if you want to layer up baby and yourself first or after putting baby in a carrier.

I tend to prefer to keep smaller babies tucked up with me in the carrier and then add layers to keep us both warm and with bigger babies, especially ones that will want up and down, you might want to layer them and you up before using the carrier.

VBE Sara Stephenson demonstrates layering on top of a worn newborn

VBE Aisling Schenck shows a back carry in a woven wrap using layering under the wrap to keep her and baby warm. 

One important thing to always remember is basic babywearing safety. You always want to be able to see your baby's face so watch that your layering does not get TOO thick. In general a worn baby is going to stay a little more toasty when they are near the wearers body. So, if you are layering OVER baby and the carrier then you will want to keep the layers of clothing on baby a little lighter. Body heat will transmit through normal clothing, with a smaller baby you can dress both yourself and baby in casual cold weather clothing (maybe an undershirt and heavier shirt for example) and then put the baby in the carrier next to your body. From there you have many options for layering over top of the both of you.

My preferred and cheapest method ;-) has been to use an over sized coat that is able to fit over both bodies. 

VBE Shannon Brethauer shows us how to tuck
baby into your coat 

From there you can add layers to anything sticking out. Hats on heads, scarves on necks, gloves on hands or anything else that seems necessary for the weather you will be facing. Hats are important with smaller babies to keep their body heat regulated.
Usually you will find that you both stay quite a bit warmer snuggled together than you would expect so be sure to pay attention to your under laying and take off a layer if needed! 

VBE Charlotte Anderholt shows us the KinderCoat

There are also many different options that you can find that can be purchased for this same purpose. Many different companies make a lot of choices designed to be worn over a baby in a carrier.

VBE Jenny Krout shows us a
Kowalli Baby Carrier Cover 

Other popular options are Peekaru vests and coats which can be worn over you and baby, fleece babywearing ponchos, and inserts that can be buttoned or zipped into the wearers coat to expand the fabric to make room for baby. 

VBE Sarah Kemper shows the PeekaRu Fleece Vest

A fantastic list of possible Babywearing Coats and Carrier Covers can be found here: http://bwichicagoland.wordpress.com/2013/12/02/winter-babywearing-in-chicago/
on the Babywearing International of Chicago's blog. They know Babywearing in cold weather!

So from here, lets work with the carriers you have to how to make them function the best in cold weather!

RING SLING AND POUCHES: 

Your two main areas of concern are too much fabric under your shoulder and under baby's seat. If you are layering before you put baby in the sling then be careful that you do not have too much layering  or slippery materials under.
A big puffy coat on the wearer might make it hard to keep the shoulder placed and it might slide around and be uncomfortable or cause  possible fall hazards.
You'll also want to make sure that the baby does not have too thick of a body suit, or slippery pants like snow pants so the material of the sling stays tucked nicely under their bottom.
You can use a babywearing cover over your sling which is usually the easiest option with a ring sling. Try to avoid layering over with an actual coat because the shoulder will pull up on your neck when the sleeves of the coat are put on. Choose a poncho or a cover like the Kowalli.

SOFT STRUCTURE CARRIERS:

SSC's are probably the easiest option overall in cold weather wearing. They are easy to put on both over or under winter clothing layering. Your biggest concern is finding the right adjustments and fit depending on how you are wearing. If you are wearing over your coat and over baby's coat you'll want to make sure that the straps and buckles are loosened to accommodate the extra cushioning. However, with baby it can be harder to pop them down into the seat of the carrier and make sure they are snug in the back carries as easily if they are wearing winter coats. Be sure to have someone check to make sure everyone is snug in proper positions with the carrier high on baby's back or check a mirror very well if you do not have a second person around. Many people like to use Soft Structured Carriers in the colder weather, especially snowy weather because when you are getting a baby in and out of car or going multiple places you can buckle the carrier on and never have to worry about tails of wraps or straps of Mei Tai's touching the ground and getting yucky in parking lot slush.

Myself, ABE Mary Rodio using my Tula
with my toddler and pregnant belly in the 30 Degree
Weather here November 1st. 

Beautiful photo of Mei Tai use on a snowy walk from VBE Jessica Stampe 

MEI TAI's and ASIAN CARRIERS: 

These are quite functional in the colder weather. The Mei Tai tends to adapt to clothing underneath a tad bit better than the SSC's making it a little easier to use over a bigger coat, however, with a smaller baby you'll want to be sure that the coat is not causing baby to slip around in any way and there is plenty of support around the sides of the carrier as needed.
Mei Tai's can be worn over a wearer's winter coat or under fairly easily as well so you have a lot of options in wearing with a mei tai. If you are using the carrier to get baby out of a car seat you can tuck the straps of the mei tai into your clothing as you go so you do not drag them on the ground.
One way to do this would be to tuck into belt loops or pants pockets, or to into the waist band of your pants (I've even used the straps of my bras if I was wearing a sweater dress)

 WRAPS: 

Woven wraps are a bit more complicated in winter weather than options but still a wonderful option. The biggest concern is usually on what to do with the tails of the wrap in ice or snowy weather. There's a few ways you can counter that from using shorties or much smaller wraps that will not have as much tail to work with, or like mentioned above with Mei Tai's, tucking the tails of the wrap into your clothing as you work with the wrap. When I get the baby out of the car in a parking lot, I've gotten pretty good at tossing my tails into the seat of the car or wrapping over the trunk of my car and then laying the tails of the wrap in my trunk as I wrap as well.

VBE Hannah Kurlick of BWI of Memphis
Showing us how to enjoy that TN snow in a
Woven Wrap

This video is a great demonstration of tucking your tails as you wrap:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gsaHqDBxWs

 Once again, just make sure that everything is snug and tight. It can be a little harder to feel what you are doing under or over winter clothing. Make sure if there is a snow suit type material in use or another slippery material that the baby is secure and no material is able to be moved out of place with normal shifting. Be sure that the back of the child is well supported because a cushy jacket could slump down as well and put baby in a chin to chest position.

Some Final Tips: 

Never underestimate the power of those silly foot bands on baby pants! Those things are amazing for keeping the pant leg tucked down over babies' legs so they are not pulled up and skin exposed to the weather.

Baby legs and leg warmers are another great addition to any baby winter wardrobe. Even if you put them on over another pair of pants, they will typically be long enough to be pulled down and cover any exposed skin that pulls up from baby being in a carrier.

Wool Wraps are an amazing tool to pull out in the cold weather!

You can tuck a blanket around baby when the weather is mildly uncomfortable for baby.

ABE, Mary Rodio using blanket to protect newborn Zoey-Anna
from cold rainy weather on Labor Day

Want to know how to layer for cold weather? http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/underwear.html This is a great guide! Remember if baby is going to be against your body, take one layer away.

Be aware of your surroundings, skills and activities. Can you wrap baby under your ski suit? Probably. But SHOULD you ski with baby... no probably not. ;-)
If you are not an experienced back wearer than cold weather where you cannot monitor baby might not be the best time to try it out. Or to try to master a back carry with extra layers and gear involved.
Also, watch your footing! Snow and cold weather can mean ice. Be extra careful about where and how you are stepping rather you are wearing or carrying baby. Be aware that baby will work against your center of gravity so stick with the types of carries that you are using to doing rather that's front or rear carries.

Use your best judgement for how long a little one should be outside in colder weather, but do not let the cold weather keep you hiding indoors the entire winter! There's a lot of fun to be had and we still need at least some Vitamin D and sunshine even in the colder months.

Christie Chapman and her family in "Normal Gear" and a wool
wrap out enjoying the family despite the cold. 

Stephanie Long from BWI Oklahoma City
posing for some lovely family
photos in the gorgeous snow! 

Throwback Thursday in Honor of International Babywearing Week 2014

It's already five days into International Babywearing Week 2014 and only two days left. Bittersweet memories already in reflecting in the fun we've had in just a few days!

Wearing my third while at work. 

Today we are looking back on our personal babywearing adventures. I'd like to share a little bit of my babywearing journey with you!

I found babywearing with my eldest, back in 1999 when the Babywearing World was much different. The part that might be the most interesting about me finding babywearing back in a time when wearing was not very popular was it was actually my mother who got me into wearing.

Wearing my second at Cumberland Falls

In 1980 when I was born we lived in Alaska. My mother was a very outdoorsy type and she would often wander off into the woods to go hiking and camping for weeks at a time. On occasion she would take friends and other kiddos along with her on these trips. I remember being young and going through the photo albums of our adventures in Alaska. It was quite a site to see my petite, 90 pound mother with myself loaded on her back in one of her two carriers, (she had a framed backback and a carrier that was very similar to a common Soft Structure Carrier such as the Ergo) my four year old sister by her side, camping gear loaded up and her white german sheperd and dotson watching beside us all. A few times she actually showed me the Ergo-Like carrier that she had used with me and I remember touching the fairly worn carrier and marveling at how strong and amazing my mother was.

My Second Born in the new recalled SlingRider
but one of my first carriers. 

In 1999 I had two carriers I used with my first. A front style carrier that I used around the house and when we went into town. At that time I was a single, teenage mother so I was staying with my mother on her 30 acre farm and trips into town were infrequent! I also had a framed backpack style carrier that I used out working the horses and helping with chores once my eldest was able to sit unassisted.

Ten years passed between my first and my second. Having previous babywearing experience I knew that I wanted to wear my second born as well and I was in a few different online groups for parents at the time that had a few more natural oriented Mama's as members who in turn got me into the more modern day world of babywearing. At my baby shower my mother was very happy to gift me with the Infantino SlingRideer (Which has since been recalled) and I was excited to start my second babywearing journey. I bought myself a Moby as well and remember really wanting the beautiful woven wraps and slings that I had seen online.

My second and I enjoyed making DIY carriers together. 

I wore her once in the SlingRider at her follow up appointment after birth and decided it made me uncomfortable. I moved on to the Moby wrap which I liked quite a bit. I still really wanted all those pretty slings I kept seeing online but at the time, I had just quit my job to become a stay at home mom again with my second and it was just not within the budget to purchase them so I did a lot of research and started making my own.

There's many great tutorials online for making your own carriers. Sleeping Baby is probably my favorite for having the most information in one place. Her page features a great collection of education and resources as well as safety tips and information.

My very first woven wrap doing my first very carry!

Sometime later, on Mother's Day, I purchased my first woven wrap in lieu of accepting any other gifts I said that is what I wanted. I found a size 7 Storechenwiege Anna in a swap group that was very well loved and very much broken in so it was an amazingly great starter wrap. I've since bought new Storch wraps and I have to say, there's something for buying used as they take a bit of wear and work to make them as mold-ably soft and lovely as that one was!

Wearing my second while at work and
pregnant with my third. 

Nature Hike in the Great Smoky Mountains 

I've had so many wonderful experiences that Babywearing has brought to me! After 15 years of babywearing and 5 years of fairly "serious" babywearing there's just so many memories that each piece of cloth or carrier that has come into my home contains. 

A lot like my mother we enjoy nature hikes a lot. I have so many photos wearing my second and my third in many, many trips to the woods, mountains and waterfalls. I hope that one day they will be able to look back and appreciate the memories made while keeping them close and secure just as I have been able to.

Wearing my third while pregnant with my
fourth while my second smiles at the camera
during a nature hike for IBW 

Our BWI Group Warming Celebration! 

I hope that you have many amazing babywearing experiences
as your journey unfolds!
Happy Babywearing and Happy Babywearing International Week!

Mary Rodio 

Work it out Wednesday!

This week we are celebrating International Babywearing Week. This week we are doing many events to show our love for babywearing in and around the community, in person and online. Monday we had a blast with our online scavenger hunt, Tuesday we learned something new from our Volunteer Babywearing Educators, and now for Wednesday we are going to Work It Out!

Now lets face it strapping extra weight, in some cases 30 or more pounds, can be a work out in and of itself. Doing everyday chores like sweeping, laundry, or even walking the dog will boost your burn by just wearing your snuggly baby. Be prepared as you may be distracted by your baby's cuteness, I consider this an added perk. Who doesn't love looking at their little one while being productive?

Adventures in babywearing

Adventures in Babywearing!!

Babywearing was a life saver for me this summer! I'd like to share some of my tips and experiences from 3 different trips I took, the carriers I used, and why. Babywearing made flying effortless and helped me participate in fun activities with my family and friends that I personally think would've been a challenge without a baby carrier, and even a few things that would've been down right impossible. 



Baby's first trip was to visit old friends on the coast in Virginia. We really enjoyed our size 2 woven wrap on this trip. It was super hot in July and the shortie was nice and versatile while keeping us cool. I could keep baby snuggled on my front in a torso carry, nurse in a rebozo carry or I could put him in a back carry when I needed some freedom. Babywearing is especially handy for beach trips since it's next to impossible to push a stroller through the sand. You can keep baby close and still enjoy all the beach has to offer. Other outings like an amusement park and water park were a breeze with baby happily strapped to me. I also loved our Kinderpack soft structured carry for ease and comfort.

Our next trip was to go visit family in Indiana.  I opted to fly with baby since he hated the car and we had just had a very long road trip the month before. I usually prefer to bring a car seat on the plane
for safety reasons; But for this trip a happy baby won out since he typically screamed in his seat and I didn't want the entire plane to hate me. Many people travel with their babies under 2 as lap babies. It is recommended that baby be strapped into a carseat but is not required as it is safer to fly than it is to drive statistically and airlines know that many people would object to purchasing a full price ticket

for their baby. Do your research and do what is right for you. I was aware of the risks and opted to keep baby on my lap versus a seat, but have and will buy a seat for my babies in the future so they can be properly restrained. When wearing your baby through the airport you are typically allowed to keep baby in the carrier through security, though they will do a special screen on your hands. I used my shortie for this trip again because of the versatility and the fact that I couldn't easily wrap with a long wrap on a plane. A ring sling or buckle carrier would be great options for this reason as well. My little guy fell asleep right as we were boarding and unfortunately airlines require you to take your baby out of the carrier for take off. I asked the flight attendant what the reasoning is for this and her guess was that your weight could crush your baby in the event of an accident. It seemed unneccessary to me but we obliged. I popped baby back into our pre-tied rebozo carry to get off the plane and off we went.



Our final trip was local to Gatlinburg for the weekend. Long days of wearing out around town called for more supportive multi-pass carries in our longer woven wraps. Our second day there was spent hiking in Smoky Mountain National Park. This is another activity that would literally be impossible without wearing. Baby happily snoozed in the carrier while we hiked some fairly challenging trails and soaked in the sights, including a gorgeous waterfall. This day my husband shared the wearing with me so we used the Kinderpack since it was his preference. I definitely didn't object. Many people use carriers specifically designed for hiking, although a soft structured carrier provides the same function and is more practical for everyday use; A woven wrap would be a good option too. I would recommend a back carry for hiking so you can watch your footing. At one point baby was fussy and only happy on my front and it made things much more challenging. I wouldn't recommend a sling for this since something more balanced and ergonomic would be more comfortable for both Mom and Baby. I would definitely not recommend dangerous hiking while wearing, but there are plenty of trails out there that provide beautiful scenery as well as a challenge.

  Just because you have a baby doesn't mean that your travels and adventures need to stop. Babywearing provides a lot of opportunities for fun activities! Always remember that the rule of thumb is generally not to do anything wearing your baby that you wouldn't feel comfortable doing carrying your baby. Use your best judgment and if it's something you are questioning it's probably best to avoid it. But otherwise, grab your baby carrier and enjoy some great adventures with your little one!