Babywearing Guest Post: Liz

[This post was written by my friend Liz, who I met through my sister-in-law, Jena. I suspect Jena was the "friend" in the story below. :) ]

Babywearing….

I guess I always knew I would end up wearing my baby. What I didn't realize is that there are a million different types! Some are better than others. And some are not good for your baby at all. I have experience with an Evenflow Snuggli (crotch dangler :( ), Baby K’tan Baby Carrier, and a BabyHawk Mei Tai. They all held a place in my babywearing career.

My first carrier was an Evenflow Snuggli soft carrier. My mom had picked it up for me at a garage sale before my daughter was born. It was a life saver! I was able to clean while she napped when I was wearing her. It was great! My friend came over to meet the new baby and she told me that I was harming my daughter’s hip development by wearing her like that. I had little to no education about carriers and I didn't know it was not good for baby to be supported by their crotch. I then did some investigating and found out the dangers for myself. I discontinued use and researched a better for baby carrier.

The second carrier I used was a Baby K’tan Baby Carrier. I bought this one on Craigslist for $40 (retail $49.95). It is similar to a Moby Wrap as it is a stretchy wrap, except it is 2 pieces (2 loops connected and a tie sash). She was a couple month old when I got this carrier and used it for a few months. The K’Tan was awesome! Easy to use! [Aside from Mel: I remember Liz wearing her daughter at the zoo in the K'tan, and it was way faster to use than a regular wrap. Plus, no ends dangling on the floor!] Great for baby! Washable! There are many different ways to use it. I mostly put her in the hug and two-hip positions. It was really nice to be able to grocery shop with her on my chest and not have the carseat taking up the whole cart (don’t get me started on people putting the carseat in the top part of the cart!). She was happy, so I was happy. I have never been a big stroller person so this was great for walking to the park with her big sisters. I could even breastfeed in it! Just pull up my top shirt and pop it in – good to go! No one really noticed ever that we did. When my daughter got bigger it was harder to get her in the K’Tan. It would get stretched out and I’d have to retighten it. That got annoying! So I did some more research and found a new carrier!

My final experience baby wearing is with a BabyHawk Mei Tai. This was also purchased on Craigslist for $60 or $70 (retail $89.95+ depending on customizations). Again a carrier that is easy to use! This carrier is a square of fabric with 4 straps for tying. We mostly do the front carry position, but you can do a back and hip carry too. I love this carrier! It’s pretty to look at and comfortable to wear. I am able to breastfeed her in it and wear her for hours at a time. I wore her when we went to the St Patrick’s Day parade last year she was 13 months old and I ended up wearing her for hours! It was super comfortable, my hands were free and I didn't have to guide a stroller through the crowd or on a bus. We still use this from time to time, but she mostly wants to walk now that she is older. But even at almost 2, it’s really comfortable to tie her on!

I am glad for the education that I have now for babywearing. And with my maybe future children I plan babywearing again! Maybe even do the venture to a woven wrap!! I know that it has made my life easier to be able to just wear my daughter. I love it!

 Cuddled up in the Baby K'Tan

At the zoo

Sleepy in the Mei Tai

Back carry!