Guest post about babywearing, from Heather Moreau, mom and founder of WovenWraps.com.
When I first began searching for a comfortable and easy to use baby carrier, I tried everything, often purchasing on impulse, then making my husband return it to the store! I wanted a carrier I could put on in seconds yet wear comfortably for hours, but the number of options overwhelmed me. Now, after a long process of trial and error, wrapping with a long woven wrap is my carrier of choice. I heard a great analogy about wrapping your baby: It’s like learning to tie your shoe. It looks so complicated in the beginning; you’d rather wear velcro. But once you have it down, it’s easy – and it’s also a skill you’ll use for a very long time!
Baby wearing is so helpful to integrating your baby into your daily life; I can’t imagine managing without it. There are so many benefits that I won’t presume to station myself as a scientific expert; I’m just a mom who fell in love with this bond-strengthening practice. One of my favorite benefits is the constant interaction between mom and baby. The thing a baby needs most, after milk and safety, is human touch. Constant contact helps to make a baby secure and comfortable, both in the short and long term. Parents and babies constantly shape the other’s behavior, and when your baby is in your arms, your speech, reactions, touch and comfort help to mold their future and personality. No bouncer, rocker or swing can replace this.
Baby wearing is also magical in freeing your hands to take care of everyday tasks, all while still interacting with your baby rather than leaving baby to stare at a dangling toy or ceiling. Activities become learning experiences, because you can talk to your baby the entire time about taking out the trash, washing dishes, folding laundry, a neighborhood walk…. all these things are utterly fascinating for this new human being. Because their brains are still developing, they are really taking in each moment you wear them, talk to them and let them watch you react and converse socially with other people. The list goes on in an endless experience of learning.
One of my favorite benefits of baby wearing is being able to nurse “on the go” in a carrier - especially in a wrap. It’s easy to do this discreetly, and I finally felt like I wasn’t a prisoner to my glider chair anymore! In a carrier, I can see when my son is getting hungry and nurse him before he gets to the late stage hunger sign of crying. Another amazing benefit is nursing baby in an upright position rather than cradled, which decreases reflux and upsetting stomach bubbles. Any mom knows how important this can be to the happiness of baby- and everyone around them.
Today, my son is two years old. He’s healthy, happy, independent, smart, well mannered, and well, you get the idea! What can I say? I’m a mom, so of course I think my son is a shining star. I won’t try to say I’m positive of what part was nature versus nurture in his development, but I will say that my mommy instinct tells me all this baby wearing we’ve done has truly contributed to his sense of independence, confidence, intelligence and development. Our rich daily interactions have made me a believer in this attachment style of parenting, and I hope you will find the same with your little one.
Discover affordable carriers in a variety of styles, colors, patterns and sizes at Woven Wraps’ used carrier marketplace, Carrier Classifieds, accessible at www.wovenwraps.com/carrierclassifieds. New wraps and carriers are available at www.wovenwraps.com.
Related Posts:
TerriFor more eco-crazy tips follow Eco-Crazy Mom on Twitter and Facebook. You can also follow my blog and join my mailing list to be the first to know about new posts, giveaways and the latest eco-crazy news!
Did you find this information interesting or helpful? Please help spread the word! Give this post a +1 or share it on your favorite social media site using the buttons below.
Subscribe to EcoCrazy Mom
I love my Didymos wraps! I used a ring sling with my first baby (back in those days, there was little on offer in the way of a good carrier, only the inferior Nojo, the overpadded OTSBH and wonderful WAHM slings, otherwise, it was crotch danglers). I had a rocky start with my Nojo and OTSBH ring slings until I got my first WAHM sling. I loved that ring sling! I learned to use a wrap with my second. I loved the comfy, secure fit and that I could more easily carry a small baby upright in front of me (this is a little less secure for me when I use the ring sling, which I prefer for a reclining, nursing infant or a hip straddling toddler). I used either a ring sling or a wrap for my second and third babies, depending on the circumstances and tried an Ergo for the first time with my fourth. My DH is a confirmed ring sling baby wearer, trying other carriers but always coming back to his beloved ring sling. I have enjoyed all of them, finding each useful for different circumstances. I also tried a Mei Tai with baby number 4 but found it very uncomfortable, in spite of the fact that she was so light weight. Then I bought a Didytai (Didymos Mei Tai) when my fourth was just over a year old and it seems to combine everything I love about both wraps and structured carriers with none of the cons of either. I love that it is structured, so quick on, but the straps are like that of a wrap, very wide, so you can spread them out as much as you like, and the seat has a draw string so that it can be cinched small for a tiny newborn. I can’t wait to try it out on my newborn when s/he arrives! (I don’t know if Didytais are available in the US yet or not, but here is a picture: http://didymos.de/didy.pl?html/didytai/start.htm )
I am dying to get a carrier! Thanks for the insight!
Julie M. recently posted..Let the Mother’s Day Cloth Diaper Sales Begin…
I love that it is structured, so quick on, but the straps are like that of a wrap, very wide, so you can spread them out as much as you like, and the seat has a draw string so that it can be cinched small for a tiny newborn. Thanks that you’ve shared.
Ella recently posted..Low Carb Diets That Work
Great post. I used a ring sling with my first baby (back in those days, there was little on offer in the way of a good carrier, only the inferior Nojo, the overpadded OTSBH and wonderful WAHM slings, otherwise, it was crotch danglers). Thanks for sharing.
Barry recently posted..Spring Allergies Symptoms
I don’t know if I can be able to carry the baby in the long woven wrap, it looks complicated from the picture. I will just stick with the carrier.
Grace Kennedy recently posted..Kim Kardashian Pressing Charges Against Attacker
I love that it is structured, so quick on, but the straps are like that of a wrap very wide so you can spread them out as much as you like, and the seat has a draw string so that it can be cinched small for tiny newborn. Thanks for sharing your site.
Claire recently posted..Difficulty Getting Pregnant
I can’t wait to get a carrier too. I have a one month old baby and soon enough I will be using it.
Jean Lolita recently posted..Tasty BBQ
I started to babywear this week and it has been a god send. It calms my baby down and I get to do things around the house.
I would really love to start babywearing, but I’ve been stuck on what to try first! DD hated the Moby we got as a shower gift, even as a newborn, so I have been reluctant to consider a wrap. I had no idea that nursing upright could help with reflux. That wasn’t an issue we had, but I know several mommies who have dealt with that. I might have to share the idea of nursing in a carrier with them.
I’m enjoying my wrap but unfortunately I’m only able to use it one way. I’m actually hoping to get a SSC soon to make back carriers easier. I have yet to do one successfully with my wrap.