Babywearing

I've been a big fan of babywearing. In the early days with Ellie, it was one of the only ways to get anything done because she wouldn't tolerate being set down. It also helped keep her calm, work out gas, and get some cuddles. Honestly, I really can't believe how little weight I've lost because for months I would work standing with her strapped on to me for hours on end. I've seen folks have a stack of other reasons for babywearing, but those were mine from the early days. We have a stroller and use it, but for Ellie and me (and to a lesser extent, the other family members who have worn her), babywearing suited our temperaments and her needs, it was convenient, and it felt natural and right.

I have had three types of carriers: the Moby wrap, a Baby Bjorn, and a Maya wrap.

The Moby wrap is great for the first months, but kind of a hassle to re-tie all the time. I had a c-section, and while I found recovery to be pretty easy, you aren't supposed to carry much weight, so the new mom habit of toting the baby in a heavy ass car seat didn't make sense for us. Also, babies are disgusting and I'm a sweaty Betty so I washed and dried it and it shrunk. Did not see that coming. It was still usable, but come on... Biggest pluses: great cuddling for those early days, inexpensive.

The Baby Bjorn is a crotch-dangler, the scourge of all crunchy babywearing mamas. From what I can tell from these folks is that the crotch dangling is terribly uncomfortable for babies and damages their hips. That was not my experience, and just from eye-balling it, I don't see any significant increase in kids being unable to walk because of this type of carrier. Ellie was perfectly comfortable in it, and it was my parents' preferred carrier. I found it super convenient for sporting events and work events when I needed my hands free.

The Maya wrap is my newest carrier and so far so good! I read about them online and I wanted a ring sling style carrier, and the Maya was created by a North Carolina mom. I love supporting North Carolina businesses! I wore it the other day to the Farmers Market and the little zippered pocket was awesome. It held my phone, money, and keys, and could have also fit a diaper and a little baggie with wipes for a longer excursion. It's fast to put on and I love it. I feel very Earth mother in it.

It seems like babywearers all have really strong, pretty unproven opinions. Face forward, face mama or daddy, only the front, only the back, make sure their legs are above their hips, make sure they can breathe! Of all those, only the breathing really seems to matter to me. Admittedly, Ellie is easy-going, but she liked all of them just fine. I will say, there are many types, more than I tried, and they're all investments, except the Moby, which is like $40. I would not get one of these other than a Moby in advance with your first kid, because yours might be the one that hates the crotch-dangling style. Try to borrow one from a friend or go to a baby boutique and try them out. I got the Maya at Sweet Bottoms in Cary, NC because I was visiting my mom and dad, but there are great boutiques all over that will carry lots of test drivable varieties.