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Out with Baby Considerations
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About Baby Wearing
- Keeps baby close so you can read her cues
- More skin to skin time benefits baby's nervous system and development.
- Baby can often sleep in a baby carrier more easily than a stroller, carseat or basinet, and when baby sleeps she develops a healthy system.
- Baby is protected and feels safe from the outside world in the carrier, including grabby hands of strangers.
- It's comfortable for you and baby!
- Hands free!
- Reduces crying and is a magic cure for the "witching hour" or fussiness
- A great bonding tool for your baby's other parent, or grandparents and caregivers.
- Takes up less space than a stroller.
- You don't have to carry that ridiculous heavy stroller / carseat attachment which is terrible for your spine.
Baby Wearing Tips
- Many babies fuss when you FIRST put them in the carrier, even after weeks of loving it. Don't be discouraged. Once you get moving they settle in and love it, they just don't like the transition and crying is one of their only means of communication. Your baby may be just crying as he goes through the transition of finding a comfortable position.
- If your baby doesn't like it the first time, try again the next day. It can be YOUR lack of confidence that is impacting your baby's experience.
- Get an experienced friend {or youtube video} to show you the way and ideally try it the first few time with someone else around to help you get the carrier / wrap on and put baby in. After a week or so you'll have no trouble doing it yourself.
- Baby should be VERY SNUG. Tighter than you think usually is better for your comfort and theirs.
- Baby's chin should be a few finger widths from her chest for safe breathing.
- Baby's nose should be unobstructed.
- I recommend having several wraps and carriers. We had 5 different ones! I kept one in the car, one could be in the wash, and we had different types - 3 wraps, a sling and 2 buckle carriers. We were gifted some and got some used. They are far more valuable than almost any other baby thing you can have.
My Favorite Carriers
- Moby Wrap - great for newborn up to about 8 months or so... once baby gets too heavy it will stretch and become uncomfortable. Then you can switch to buckle or woven wrap. They have great videos on their site to help you with the newborn holds.
- Ella Roo Woven Wrap - great at any age, but I loved this once baby was heavier all the way through toddler years. Once baby was big enough, I loved the Tibetan Rucksack style back carry. More here
- Maya Ring Sling - great for short wears, running into a store or for times when your child starts walking but might poop out early and need to be held. Not great for long walks.
- Gemini Beco Structred / Buckle Carrier {similar to the more famous Ergo} - wear your baby into the toddler years with this.
- A great list of Options from Babywearinginternational.com
Baby Wearing Resources
- Wrap Your Baby
- Babywearing International
- Lots of Babywearing local groups on Facebook - ask your questions and go to gatherings where you can trade and borrow carriers and get help learning how to wear your baby.