Last week was International Babywearing week. I thought I would share with you, my experiences with babywearing and about an awesome support group, here, in Central Iowa!
I have been a lover of babywearing since Monte was little. I didn’t actually start wearing him until about 4-5 months old. I was not really sure about the whole thing. I finally decided I would give it a try. I started with an Ergo. Which is still my favorite carrier to this day. I also received a mei tai for my birthday, the year Monte was born. I wore it a few times. Below is a picture of me wearing him at the pumpkin patch in the mei tai.
A mei tai is a bit more wrapping and I was a little discouraged with this carrier so I did not use it much with Monte.
The Ergo is also great because it can be used for a back carry too! We used it just recently for Monte when we flew to Dallas in May. Travis snapped him on and went all the way through security to the gate, without having to take him off.
When I became pregnant with Amelia, I told myself I would start babywearing much earlier. For many reasons …
- Skin to skin contact is important for babies
- It makes my life easier to wear her while chasing around a 2 year old
- She usually falls asleep immediately when I wear her
I started off with the NuRoo Pocket. Which is not a carrier BUT it’s a shirt wrap and has the same benefits as many carriers. With the NuRoo Pocket, it can only be used for babies up to 15 lbs. I think it’s one of the greatest items to practice skin-to-skin contact, while wearing. It allowed me to get things done around the house and play with Monte and still have skin-to-skin contact.
I keep mentioning skin-to-skin contact. It is so important to have skin-to-skin contact with newborns and babies in general!
- Helps establish the breastfeeding relationship
- Helps stable and create normal body temperatures for baby
- Helps stable blood pressure and heart rates for baby
- Less likely to cry
- More likely to exclusively breastfeed longer
- And it’s just super convenient 🙂
I decided to purchase another mei tai, which I LOVE. It’s a Baby SaBye Wrap which you can purchase from Etsy. It is handwoven, beautiful and so comfortable! If I am not using the Ergo I am using this.
With the help from our local babywearing group, I feel so much more comfortable using a mei tai!
If you are interested in babywearing and want to learn more OR try out different wraps/carriers …
“Like” the Central Iowa Babywearing group on Facebook.
“Follow” the Central Iowa Babywearing blog
Request to join the Babywearing International of Central Iowa group on Facebook
They hold meetings once a month in different locations through out Des Moines. You can check out dates and locations on their Facebook page.
You can also become a member for $30 a year! When you become a member, you have access to check out a babycarrier or wrap for an entire month. This is GREAT if you are new to babywearing and not really sure what will work best for you, before purchasing your own.
To become a member e-mail centraliowaBWI@gmail.com
What is your favorite babywearing carrier/wrap?