Babywearing Rocks!!

When we were at Babies R’ Us registering for baby stuff Cliff insisted that we put the Baby Bjorn on the list.  He spent the most amount of time looking at the different kinds of baby carriers they had and tried them all on.  (I really didn’t see a purpose at the time for such a device but later I would become very surprised by such inventions!)  It was the cutest thing ever to watch him try them all on and get so giddy and excited!  He ended up choosing the Bjorn because it fit him best and was easiest to put on.  We were blessed with some amazing gifts from people and one of the gifts was the Bjorn Cliff so diligently picked out.  🙂  It was a bright green color.  I wasn’t so sure about it at first but as time passed and the more and more we used it, it ended up being one very handy thing to have around the house and out and about!  We put D in it at a very young age when he was cranky and he loved going outside and looking at things.  It was instant calming!  The Bjorn became a staple in our household.  As the weeks passed, I found that I couldn’t use it as much because it really hurt my shoulders after a while.

The weight distribution just didn’t fit me comfortably like it did for Cliff.  So I did some research and discovered that there are a multitude of carriers on the market!   After lots of research I found a carrier that I really liked – the Beco Butterfly.  It was exactly what I was looking for – weight distribution, optional back carry, easily adjustable, and of course comfortable.  I found one on craigslist for an amazing price and picked it up that same day!  It was the best purchase ever!  I use this carrier all the time when we’re out and about.  And I am going to be using it more when we’re home too since he’s becoming more and more clingy to me.  D loves it and it seems to calm him down if he’s ever really tired and we’re not quite done shopping or something.  Anything that allows him to be close to his mommy he loves.  🙂

There are numerous benefits to wearing your baby – bonding, enhancing development and sense of well being, learning via enhanced visual and auditory alertness, less crying, motion stimulus, etc.  It is also perfect for a breastfeeding mommy who can feed more often by wearing the baby and nursing simultaneously.  The baby is able to bond more with whomever is wearing the baby by learning their voice, smell, heartbeat, rhythm of movement, and lots more.  Wearing your baby benefits both Mom and Dad equally and is a wonderful thing for all involved.  Even Grandma and Grandpa can wear the baby!

The one thing that I really do not like about a Bjorn is the fact that it is not good for the babies developing spine and hips. The way that the Bjorn is made it does not have enough fabric/support to truly support the baby without straining their spine.  A baby carrier should always have fabric going from knee to knee to avoid dangling legs.  If this is not achieved correctly (like the Bjorn) then the baby is essentially hanging from their crotch, being held and barely supported.  Both upper legs need to be supported in order to truly carry the baby without any possible permanent hip/spine damage.  This website does a wonderful job explaining how the “M-position” is the best position for your child to be in while in a carrier, wrap or sling.

Lots of Moms really enjoy using a sling to carry their child, newborn to toddler hood.  I personally do not have much experience with them but plan on looking into getting one in the near future.  I think that it will be helpful for the hip carry when D is really moody, teething, needy, etc.  Anything to help save my back and arms from the strain is worth the small investment in a sling.

Wraps are also very popular for lots of mom as well.  I used a Moby wrap a little when D was a tiny baby but besides that I didn’t find it helpful.  But like anything, it all depends upon the users likes and needs.

If you would like further information regarding carriers, wraps, and slings, local boutiques will usually have them to try out and purchase in the store or look for a local chapter of Babywearing International group on Facebook for your city, as well as on the internet.

Please do keep in mind that each baby has their own likes and dislikes as well, so not every carrier works for every baby.  It really is something that you want to try out with your baby and see how it works for both of you.  Make sure the baby is in a good mood, well fed, and changed too!