July 26, 2012
I’ve had a few questions regarding babywearing, so I thought I would do a post on it. My three favorite baby carriers are the Ergo, Hotsling and MobyWrap.They are all my favorites for different reasons and I’ll go into depth on why.
HotSling: It’s been so warm lately that having him pressed up against my back or stomach in the Ergo is too hot, and the MobyWrap is basically like wearing a warm blanket, so the HotSling has been my Go-To. Although it wasn’t as easy when he was really tiny, but the bigger he’s gotten the better it’s been for babywearing. Cons: I can’t carry him in it for too long because my bad back and it doesn’t distribute the weight all that well.
Sometimes babywearing is a bit like being a jungle-gym.
The MobyWrap (Or in my case my home-made Moby- Instructions on how to make your own here) was my favorite when he was a really little guy and was colicky and needed to be held upright (later we learned that was because of his GERD) It was also nice in the winter because it is warm and snuggly. I do like it because he can face in and face out, and he does love to face out! Which the Ergo doesn’t allow for, and it’s really easy to adjust and distributes the weight very well. Cons: Isn’t convenient for on-the-go. The wrap is 15 feet long, which means if you need to put it on while you are outside/in a parking lot/etc it will drag on the ground and the ends might get a little yucky. I found that if I just put it on before I left and wore it while driving (obviously not with the baby in it!!!) then when I would get to my destination just pop him into the Moby.
*Note- baby’s face should always be visible while in a wrap because there can be a slight risk of suffocation. I pulled the wrap over his face because he was asleep and the kitchen was bright, but wasn’t aware that you shouldn’t pull it over their face. Just thought I’d pass along the warning!
The Ergo: This is my favorite for extended wearing. (More than 30 min or so) It is incredibly comfortable, the padded straps are *great* and distribute the weight really well. It’s great for things like hiking or going to the Farmers Market when he’s going to be in it for a long time. I like that it can do a back carry or a front carry. Love that it has a “nap hood” that I can snap to cover his head if he falls asleep. Love that it has a zippered pocket so I can put paci’s, chapstick, $$, etc in it. Cons: We had to buy the extender-buckle for it to fit Paul. I am not a huge person and I have to wear the waist buckle on the loosest setting. (I’m a size 10 pants, FYI) and that was kind of annoying that it was pretty much built for very tiny people. Another con is that it gets really hot inside the Ergo. When we went hiking Sam was really sweaty.
(this is Sam’s favorite babysitter, Alli, carring him in the Ergo while hiking)
Not a great shot, but the only one I could find of a back-carry with him in the Ergo.
We do a LOT of babywearing around here. Sam has always been high-needs and with his GERD he needs to be upright the majority of the time. (Now that he can sit and stand alone it’s a lot easier, but when he was unable to sit we had to hold him up) and babywearing just worked for us. Sam is happier when he’s being held, and mama is happier when Sam is happy! Babies thrive on contact (skin to skin, especially) and babywearing is a great way to bond with your baby, even when you have to have your hands free.
So there you have it! Babywearing by the Knittybutton. Feel free to ask any questions you may have and I’ll do my best to answer!
Posted by Ali Tong in Baby, Pictures, Samuel
I think I may need a pair or two of these for Sam this winter! I think they are so cute. Although I probably won’t do stripes…every time I do stripes I start kicking myself because I forget about the trillions of ends to weave in! Why do I always forget that little detail??
