No, I’m not an extremist, but I’ve seen the light in regards to the wonders of a good baby carrier. Here’s the basics to get YOU started on the road to babywearing.
While pregnant with my first child I was like most first timers and reviewed all the suggested baby items on the registry list. I added the Baby Bjorn to my registry and merrily continued on my way. After receiving it at my baby shower, I unboxed it, and promptly tossed it into a closet.
Months after delivering my new baby, I found myself in a fit of frustration when she refused to be set down, and I remembered my baby carrier.
I ran to find it and began the task of trying to load my crying baby into it. After several failed attempts, where we both took turns crying, I managed to strap her in.
My hopes were dashed when her shrieks gained momentum with each passing minute, and I gladly freed us both from the alien contraption. It was uncomfortable. It was confusing. It was strange.
The baby carrier returned to our closet, never to be seen again.
A few years later, our family expanded when I gave birth to twin boys. I found myself yet again crying along with my children. The babies wanted to be held, my daughter wanted a snack, and I wanted to get the laundry started. I simply didn’t have enough arms.
So what happened next? You guessed it. My mind turned to my dusty old baby carrier, rotting away in a closet. I despaired as I thought back on my one and only awful baby wearing experience.
However, in that sad moment I remembered my sister raving about her Baby Carrier. In fact, her and her husband had bought several of them, and carried their son all over Washington D.C. in them. I remembered her saying they didn’t even feel that a stroller was necessary!
As if!? I loved my strollers. But if she’d loved babywearing, I decided I might have missed something. And so I endeavored to try again. Only this time, with a carrier that fit me better, and this time I wouldn’t give up so easily.
Babywearing Options
As with most things, there is a wide assortment of different brands and types of baby carriers. The vast array made me feel extremely intimidated at first. But fear not – they are not nearly as scary as you might imagine. Here are your options, along with my own take on them.
Wraps: This is a long piece of fabric that is tied around you and your baby. I watched several YouTube videos to see how it was done, and then slowly attempted it with the help of my husband. Although more time consuming to master, the Moby Wrap was my absolute favorite for the under 6 month old time frame. It holds your baby securely, as if you have them wrapped in a blanket and hooked to your heart.
Mei Tai Carrier: A rectangular piece of fabric with four long straps. I used this once the babies started sitting up, and loved that it molded around the baby’s body, but was easier to put on. I was able to carry double with two of these carriers, with one on my back and one in the front. The price of this carrier is also on the more affordable side.
Pouch Slings: A sized piece of fabric in the shape of a tube. Your baby sits within the pocket of fabric formed by the tube. This is a quick and dirty kind of carrier. If you have it sized correctly, you can throw it over your head and deposit your baby into it. I did not favor this carrier since my babies never felt overly secure in it, and I experienced back pain when using it.
Ring Slings: A long piece of fabric threaded through two rings. I found this carrier very useful for breastfeeding when the babies were around the 3 month old mark, and also for quick hip carrying once they were able to sit up. The baby is placed within the fabric and then you pull the tails through the rings to tighten the fit.
Soft Structured/Buckle Carriers: This is the most modern form of carrier. There is a rectangle of fabric, and padded shoulder straps that resemble a back pack. It is secured in place with the use of buckles. Once the babies were sitting up, this was my preferred carrier. If you were to purchase only one carrier, this would be my recommendation. I experienced the least amount of back pain, and the simplicity of loading can’t be beat. My personal favorite is the ERGOBaby Carrier. This carrier is more expensive than the others, but it will last you for years.
Watch me demonstrate the loading and unloading of my twins in an Ergo.
The Babywearing Learning Curve
With any of these carriers, don’t get discouraged if you’re having difficulty. They just take practice.
You don’t expect your baby to one day stand up, walk around the room, and break into a dance routine do you? Likewise, this baby wearing gig should be eased into. Start out with five minutes a day walking around your living room. Both you and your baby need to get comfortable with it.
Once I began to invest a few minutes each day to practicing, I soon found that both the babies and I started to fuss less and less. We began to enjoy it. I was able to get the laundry done, and my babies were treated to a view from the top. Together we made beds, washed dishes, took out the trash, and snuck kisses. With baby carriers my world opened up. I found freedom.
It turned out that my sister was right. Of course! She always is. Perhaps I should learn to listen to her – the first time. Because now I too have to say, I love my babywearing.
