Page 6 - Babywearing
Babywearing and breastfeeding often go hand in hand; breastfeeding encouraged and even made easier by babywearing and babywearing encouraged and even made easier by breastfeeding. There can be a learning curve to figuring that out though but worth taking the time to see if it is something that would work for you. Once I got the hang of breastfeeding in a carrier it made it so much easier to chase around my other children (I have 6 total, keeping up is a big job!) and meet my baby's needs too. Whatever carrier you have or prefer, breastfeeding is likely possible while babywearing. Feeding a baby in a carrier is totally doable. It may not be easy at first, but with a little patience and practice, you and your baby will get the hang of it in no time.
Here are some tips for breastfeeding your baby in a baby carrier:
- Be confident. Fake it until you are.
- Be patient. It may take time and practice and being patient with the process will help in the long run.
- Practice at home when baby isn't hungry
I happen to be in the Hawaiian islands at the moment for a very special 4th of July weekend. My dad lives here now – he moved from Southern California about 8 years ago. That said, he isn’t here. He is in LA for cancer treatments before he gets to come home to this beautiful island of Kauii. My dad and I came here together nearly every year for yoga retreats when I was a child. So let’s just say I’m feeling a bit nostalgic.
Those of you who know me know I have two boys – ages 8 and 11. It was one of my first trips to Hawaii with my eldest when I was introduced to Ergo. Ergo was the brand I loved most passionately as a mom of young babies. Both my boys ended up calling our Ergo the ‘pack-pack’ and lived in it from being tiny little creatures to about 3 years old.
Another thing I’ve been doing since being a small child is making sunscreen and personal care products. My dad founded a skincare company called Epicuren the same year I was born. It is still a family business. When my babies were Attachment Parenting has been in the news recently, but in reality it is the most basic and oldest “style” of parenting in the world. In current culture, “Attachment Parenting” has been promoted in the adoption community by adoption specialists for years. Adoption specialists have promoted baby and child wearing to help foster attachment/bonding for the new parent and the new child. There is a trust element that is developed when a child is making physical contact with the parent, being able to hear the heartbeat of the person, and being able to have that security as they also observe and interact during the day. Our son, Samuel, came into our home when we adopted him from Ethiopia at almost four-years-old. He was large for his age, but once we started using our Ergobaby Carrier, his weight was distributed easily. He loved being in there. Our adoption specialist also was happy we were giving a child of his age so much time in a carrier. Adopted children, even past the age of
Each day during International Babywearing Week (IBW), we’ll be posting babywearing tips from our friends at local Babyearing International (BWI) Chapters.
Today’s tip comes to you courtesy of BWI of Lawton/Ft Sill: Have you been at a loss for storing your Ergo? It's simple to roll your carrier into a nice, tight roll with the shoulder straps tucked inside. Start with the outside of your baby carrier facing out. Then take the waist strap and strap it around the roll of your carrier. Buckle it. Snug it up and you’re good to go. No more dangling straps all over the place.
The hip scoot:
You'll want to get your carrier adjusted to your waist and start with the body centered over your right hip.
Place Baby centered into the body of the carrier and grab the left strap with your left hand and loop it up to your elbow.
Proceed to scoot Baby to your back and work the left strap up to your shoulder.
When Baby is centered on your back, put your right arm through the right strap and adjust to fit your body.
Finally, clip the chest clip and position accordingly.
The superman toss:
Position the carrier so it is centered at your back and at the appropriate height.
Cross your arms over each other and take hold of Baby's armpits. 
Each day during International Babywearing Week (IBW), we’ll be posting babywearing tips from our friends at local Babyearing International (BWI) Chapters. Today’s tip comes to you courtesy of BWI of Southern Maryland: If you are doing a Hip Carry in an Ergobaby Carrier and you are finding that the shoulder strap digs into your neck, try clipping the chestbelt. You may need to move it around to get it to clip comfortably, but clipping it can pull the strap away from your neck and make for a very comfortable Hip Carry.
Emotional Benefits of Getting Outside
Spending time in nature with your baby can strengthen the bond between you. The simple act of holding your baby close, feeling their warmth, and sharing new experiences together can create strong emotional connections. It’s also a wonderful way to reduce stress and improve your mood. When my littles were extra fussy, I’d take a walk around the neighborhood. Even though I don't live in an area with trails and
The growing popularity of babywearing in our modern society makes more parents aware of an amazing tool to meet their children’s need to be close to them while keeping up with a busy schedule. Very young babies feel most secure when they in their parents’ arms, where food and warmth are readily available. A toddler can be kept safe from vehicles or other dangers in public, and receive the reassurance that a loving caregiver provides when they become overstimulated. As with any tool, there are guidelines to make its use as safe as possible.
- Babywearing safety begins with choosing the right carrier. There are many choices in modern baby carriers, to fit every budget and style. Make sure the carrier you choose is appropriate for the age of your baby. Is your child within the stated weight guidelines? Is there an insert necessary for a newborn? Be sure to read the manufacturer’s directions and consult an educator or babywearing group if you need further instructions.
- Shop at reputable
It's no news that summer is hot and when you've got a little one one your body, it's even hotter. And while there aren't any baby carriers with an air conditioner feature, there ARE carriers that are built in with ultimate breathability. Plus, we can offer a few tips for babywearing in hot weather ;)
1. Dress both yourself and baby for the weather.
Light and airy clothes are best. We like linen or 100% cotton or linen, although sporty performance fabrics are also great if that is your style! Remember that whatever carrier you are using acts as a layer, too. Also keep sun protection in mind. Baby Legs or other leg/arm covers are an easy on/off way to provide light protection while staying cool (some Baby Legs even have UV protection).2. Keep a layer of fabric between you and baby to help make things feel less sticky!
Wearing a high neck shirt is the easiest way to do this. Some people like to keep a thin piece of muslin or cotton to place between them and baby (bonus:
Daddy and sons took a stroll out to find frogs while we waited for the farm truck.
Babywearing while berry picking is a must, as you’re not likely getting a stroller onto the bench-seat-only farm truck. At least not without some frowns from the other passengers who’d love the space!
Plus, the ride out is bumpy, and a baby securely on your back (or snuggled against your chest) is best for this kind of a ride.
With the heat… and the rate at which we ate the berries! … we definitely had to pick fast to keep our mouths and buckets full! I was so grateful our nearly-one-year old