Babywearing 101

As many of you probably know, I have an obsession with carriers. I have the ERGO Baby Carrier, Maya wrap, Moby wrap, Baby Hawk Mei Tai, Baby Bjorn and few other mother made wraps that I have purchased from local vendors.

Ashton is only happy facing outward and has been this way since he was born. Research suggests that some babies can be overstimulated while facing out, but not my boy; he falls asleep in this position. Some babies are fine facing outward and Ashton has proved on more than one occasion that if he's not facing out, then forget the wrap all together. We'll see once he is older, how he feels being carried on my back, but for now, I was desperate and needed other options.

I can get away using the Moby with Ashton facing outward, but getting that on is quite an ordeal if I want to do a quick run into the grocery store. He still seems a little to young (his leg spread is not wide enough) for the Ergo, Baby Hawk Mei Tai and other mother made carrier that I have. This leaves me with the Bjorn and Maya Wrap.

The Bjorn is ok. I only use it for quick trips to Target (Adam uses it more than I)and we make sure that we support his bum. There have been so many stories that using the Bjorn can cause hip problems for baby later in life. Today during Babywearing 101 at BabyaWearness taught by babywearing expert, Kristin Speltz, RN, and leader of E Ho'ohapai na Kamalei, O'ahu's babywearing group that this has not been proven. Kristin's only concern with the Bjorn were Ashton's "family jewel." The "family jewels" are not meant to support all of ones weight.

This leaves the Maya Wrap. My good friends purchased this for me when Ashton was born. I took it out of the package and attempted to learn how to use it with no success. I have heard that this wrap is especially great for babies, like Ashton, who prefer to face outward. Today, Kristin, taught me how to use it. I only had it on for about 15 minutes and it did take Ashton a few minutes to realize that he was ok. I wore him in the hip carrying position which was was more comfortable than it looks. Kristin showed me how to thread the fabric though the rings, how to position the sling, how to properly position Ashton in the fabric and finally taught me how to properly tighten the fabric. Notice that there is quite a bit of "properly" in there:-) I could get the sling on, I just could not properly position Ashton without fear he would fall if I let go of him.

Kristin also showed me many of the other wraps I had been eyeing such as the Pikkolo and the Beco. I liked the Pikkolo since it has the baby facing outward option. After trying that on and a few others, I realized that my back really will not allow me to carry him facing outward for much longer so there was no need to purchase a new carrier like the Pikkolo. For now, I am going to stick with the ones I have and use the Maya Wrap while I can, then move on to the Ergo and Baby Hawk.

Overall, I really enjoyed the instruction and the store. The ladies were wonderful to work with and I will be headed back there soon. Oh and they see/buy used cloth diapers. I dropped off the ones that no longer fit Ashton. We'll see if I can make some of my $ back.

I'll be sure to post a picture of Ashton and I using the Maya wrap soon.