Slingin' in the Rain!

Well actually we were wrapping in the rain but slinging was a better fit for the title :).
   
    Just want to add some more benefits of wearing your baby. Today has been a non stop rainy and dark day so it was a stay indoors type of day. Baby Oliver was getting cranky, don't know if it is because of teething, maybe has daddy's cold, or was just bored to death... so I decided to take him out doors. Since the rain wasn't very strong I wrapped him up, took an umbrella, and around the blocks we went. He was so peaceful and happy to be outdoors regardless of the rain. I couldn't have done this with a stroller... it is just more natural for me to wear him, and he loves it too.  Also the wrap turned my pajama/night gown into a dress, hid the fact I wasn't wearing a bra and also protected the baby from mosquitoes (notice I tucked his feet into the wrap). Also, if  wrapped correctly with good wrap, it is extremely comfortable to wear your baby.

I am using a homemade cotton gauze wrap which is ideal for
Florida because it is so HOT. There are many options out
 there for materials for wraps... not all are created equal! 

That's our new $2.99 Ikea Umbrella.

 
Another awesome benefit of baby wearing is that you can breastfeed your baby in the wrap... this is great on many occasions. Here are some pictures of how this is done. Obviously baby has to be nice and high on your chest and have easy access to his milk supply. 

Oliver got hungry from the walk!

He is getting sleepy....

He is OUT! Within minutes!

Feeding with no hands. I was able to take these pictures myself!

When in public you can raise the wrap up to cover the back of baby's
head for more privacy or even wear a jacket  as well. 

It has been such a crappy day and my hubby is feeling crappy so I will leave you with some cute baby pictures to make it better!

Playing soccer indoors with my 1st soccer ball
given to me by my uncle Carlos! 

Getting stronger... preparing to crawl!

My rainy day friends!

TOES

Daddy's coughing and sneezing are funny to me!

Wraps, Slings and Mei Tais....Oh My! (Which type of carrier do I choose?)

So you have decided to wear your baby, AWESOME! This is going to be the beginning to a whole new world for you and your baby, however you must jump the first hurdle and that is... CHOOSING an appropriate carrier for you and your precious cargo.

Here are the 4 main types of wraps:
(Even though nowadays there are a plethora of evolved hybrids.) :

#1. The "Wrap" - is a "mile" long continuous piece of fabric that you wrap in various ways to carry your baby close to your body. It obviously isn't a mile, but it feels like it the first time you tackle this beast. They are typically between 4-6 meters (12-18 feet) of material on average. This is by far the most common, versatile, and favored carrier among the baby wearing community.  (http://wrapyourbaby.com/blog/2012/09/comparing-woven-wraps-to-other-carriers/)

The options of materials and colors are never ending! If you find yourself as a "wrap" person you might easily start to become a collector of wraps (even a little of a hoarder). The top reasons that people love the wrap is because you can have many different hold positions, it is comfortable for both baby and mom, and you can share it between people easily. Obviously the material you choose will play a role in the wrap's strength and durability. Most wraps can accommodate newborns and infants/toddlers up to 40 pounds, and others can hold older children... Prices on these can go usually between $40-$200 or more depending on brand and materials. Here are some examples of wraps:

Photo from  http://www.ellaroo.com

Photo from  http://www.wrapyourbaby.com 

The Moby Wrap, photo from  http://www.mobywrap.com

#2 . The "Sling" -   is a derivative of the wrap that is more user friendly, quicker to put on,  and uses less material than a wrap. A sling is a long piece of material with two metal rings sewn to one end to give you a sort of belt buckle lock between them. You wear the sling as you would a sash with the rings in front or in back of your shoulder.  However you are limited to positions on the hip with a sling. In my opinion this kind of carrier can start to wear you down since it pulls down on only one shoulder, which doesn't evenly distribute the baby's weight on your back. However they are really pretty and stylish and get the job done, as long as the job is not too long :) . The one really nice thing about slings is that once the baby falls asleep, you can transition the baby to a bed more fluently than with a wrap.

Options and pricing are similar to that of wraps. Here are a few examples of slings:

Photo from  http://www.comfyjoey.com 

Photo from  http://www.comfyjoey.com

#3 . The "Mei Tai" -   is an Asian baby carrier which was adopted from a Chinese culture hundreds of years ago.  It looks like a square or rectangular piece of fabric with straps coming out of each corner. I have yet to try one of these out but I am itching to buy one... the dilemma I am having is which one and $$$.  I definitely want to get one of these beauties because of its versatility of front and back carries.  I have failed miserably at trying to put my baby in a back carry with a wrap...to the point of frustration. I think the Mei Tai aids in accomplishing a back carry with ease. This will come in handy as my butterball keeps packing on the poundage. Also since each strap is shorter than a full wrap in length, you don't find yourself dragging it on the floor so much, which is nice especially when on the road.

Once again there are many options out there, and I am noticing a lot of customizing for these. Price ranges are the same as with wraps and slings. However there are some custom ones out there for a much higher price tag. Here are a few examples of Mei Tais:

Patchwork Sun Mei Tai from  http://hyenacart.com/stores/PeaceLoveCloth/ 

From  http://www.wearababy.com

From  http://www.babyhawk.com/

From  http://www.babyhawk.com/

#4 - The "Soft Structured Carrier" - is a carrier that looks like a backpack with adjustable belts and buckles and is what you typically see in your baby depot type stores. They are typically commercialized under big name brands such as Ergo, Baby Bjorn, Eventflo, Infantino, Snugli, Stokke...and the list can go on and on... seems like everyone has jumped on the ban wagon with baby carriers. Hard core, real baby-wearing mommas tend to not go in this direction as much. I find a lot of them put babies in poor positions that can possibly cause hip dysplasia, so do your research! Also they tend to be more complicated because of all the snaps, buckles and adjustments, especially when trading off to someone else! Some are good and sturdy for specific tasks like hiking, and there are some that help give more support to mom's back. They also tend to be more bulkier and feel unnatural to babies. I have a hand me down Baby Bjorn that I used a total of 3 times and I honestly don't care much for it.

From  http://www.stokke.com

From http://www.ergobaby.com

From www.babybjorn.com

So there you have it... the for major types of carriers. The sky's the limit... and now a days there are many hybrids out there between these types. The best advice I can give is to do your homework and research what you want. Check out reviews and read what the mothers out there have to say about it.

There are many things to consider other than type when looking for a carrier, which includes price range,  materials, custom/pre-made, and colors (since we all have different tastes).

Also some people choose to have a couple options at home so don't get stuck on one type. As your baby grows you might notice you need a different wrap...be open to change!


UPCOMING BLOGS:
I am currently working on some reviews on the more popular carriers so you can have an honest-down-to-earth opinion on some of these products.

Also be on the look put for some of my DIY carriers. Since most of us can not afford to buy several carriers, I have come up with real inexpensive ways to get the job done!

Hey Mamacita, why aren't you wearing your baby!

I am finally deciding to start a blog...since I have been doing tons of research on baby wearing and so many of my friends are having babies... I figured this is a good place to start!

We are all wrapped up :). 

Ok so first off baby wearing (wearing your baby on you in a wrap, sling, carrier, etc...) is nothing new. People have been wearing babies since people have been making babies... :)  If you think about it, your baby has been inside of you for 9 months (longer than most relationships these days) and then your baby is born into this world which is quite chaotic compared to inside the womb...it is a huge transition. Moms now a days are so quick to put their newborn far from their reach in cold cribs and bassinets which do not give a baby a good transition into this world. More like the shock and awe method if you ask me. Think about this for a second, you and your spouse are married for 9 months. Nine months of cuddling in bed keeping each other warm...then all of a sudden he decides from now on that he will sleep on the couch. Pretty drastic...you will feel abandoned, lonely and sad. So why do we do this to our precious little babies? This is why baby wearing makes sense!(Same reason you should co-sleep/bed share with your baby, but that calls for another post...)

Baby wearing is a great transition from the womb to the outside world and not to mention that it comes with tons of benefits for you and your baby. Your baby is close to you, feeling your heart beat, breathing and body heat. Here is a list of reasons why you should as well ... ( I got most of these off of  baby k'tan's website)

- It Gives you FREEDOM :) : Babywearing enables caregivers to to keep baby close and safe while still having both hands free. Caregivers have the freedom to care for other children and tend to everyday tasks while carrying their baby close to their heart. So many new moms complain about not being able to do basic things for themselves... not any more!

- It is CONVENIENT: Going out anywhere is much easier with a baby in a carrier than dragging around a bulky car seat or stroller.

- It  PROTECTS your Baby:  People are not quick to touch your baby without asking when you are wearing a baby versus in a stroller. Also you can easily cover your baby from wind, sun, and cold with certain carriers.

- It STIMULATES Milk Production while Breastfeeding : Yes you heard correctly. If you go topless and strip your baby to his/her diaper while wearing them, the skin-to-skin contact raises your prolactin levels which promotes milk production.

- It PROMOTES Healthy Mental and Physical Development: Enhancing your baby's IQ, good health, and psychological security and independence.

- It HELPS Babies Cry Less: You can not spoil a baby by wearing them. When an infant cries it is for a reason! So don't let them cry it out, that is being negligent to your babies needs.

- It is GOOD for Baby's Emotional Development: Baby's that are worn develop a sense of security and trust when carried which makes them more independent in the future.

-It BUILDS a Bond between you and your Baby: Your baby will have a stronger and more secure attachment to you.

- It AIDS in Advancing a Baby's Learning Abilities: Babies that spend more time in a "quiet, alert state" when carried - the ideal state for learning. Studies indicate that 'worn' babies have improved visual and auditory alertness relative to children that are frequently left on the floor or in a crib or playpen. Other studies indicate that carried babies have improved speech development since they are more directly exposed to normal adult conversation and everyday life.


- It ENHANCES Baby's Social Development: By being so close to your body's rhythms, your baby "gets in rhythm" much more quickly. Your heartbeat, breathing, voice and warmth are all familiar. Research has shown how this helps infants to adapt to life outside the womb.

- It is VALUABLE for babies whose Caregivers are Overwhelmed: Babies who are not held need more verbal interaction and eye contact, just to be reassured that you're there. Carrying your baby is a great way to connect with him or her (and provide stimulation too). Additionally, your baby is "right there" to enjoy whenever you feel like snuggling or kissing!

- It is GREAT for Other People Who Look After Your Baby: Baby carriers are a great bonding tool for fathers, grandparents, adoptive parents, babysitters, and other caregivers. Partners who work away from home, relatives and babysitters all have a ready way of connecting with and soothing your baby when they wear him or her.

-It BENEFITS Babies with Special Needs: Babies with special needs often enter the world with fragile, easily over-stimulated nervous systems. Parents attempt to find the proper balance – to provide their baby with the sensory nourishment he or she requires for optimal development, while simultaneously avoiding over-stimulation. Research has even shown that premature babies who are touched and held, gain weight faster and are healthier than babies who are not. It is well known that children with developmental delays and special needs benefit from this extra stimulation, especially during the infant stage. Baby carriers create the ideal environment for development and growth. At the same time, they offer infants a tight, swaddled, deep pressure input, providing security and assurance to infants with Sensory Integration Dysfunction, and other developmental disorders, such as Down syndrome, Autism and Cerebral Palsy.

Besides all the benefits of wearing a baby it is also very "trendy". There are so many stylish wraps out there now a days, so the sky's the limit with selection. Also, people always admire baby wearing out in public!

At a baby shower Oliver is a month old! (In a K'tan Wrap)

A nap after Gardening, Oliver is 4 months! ( In a K'tan Wrap) 

We took Oliver to his first Soccer Game, 3 months old. (In a Moby Wrap)

At our friend Helen's house at 5 months. (In a homemade  Cotton Gauze Wrap)

Eating Lunch with our friend Luba in Downtown Hollywood , Oliver is 2 months. ( In a K'tan Wrap) 

With our friend Zura at our Mid-Wife Janice's house. (In a homemade t-shirt wrap.)

First time out of the house to see pediatrician and out for lunch at two weeks old. (In a Moby Wrap)

At an Art Exhibit by my former students with Oliver at one month. ( In a K'tan Wrap) 

Our friend Zura with her beautiful baby Robyn. (In a 

Bali Baby Breeze Wrap )

Now that I have you convinced that you should wear your baby.... NEXT STOP: Which type of is right for you?