In celebration of International Babywearing Week, I'd like to tell you about some different products I have used to carry my children.
Let me first say that I was a complete novice when it came to carrying my children. I tried a few different things and found that different methods, holds, products worked at different times.
When I get another carrier, my husband asks if we really need yet another. I always tell him yes, this one is different!
When I became pregnant with my second child, I was determined to try out different products. I first bought a pouch, but found that as a newborn with a big noggin, it was hard to get him in and out in the cradle hold. (I came back to wearing that pouch a lot!)
Someone let me try out their Mei Tai and told me that a woman at our local farmer's market made organic ones. I went to the market that Saturday and she showed me how to use it. I was so amazed at how comfortable my little guy was against my chest. I could even give him a bottle without taking him out. (Some women nurse in a Mei Tai, but I never attempted it.) A Mei Tai can also be used to carry a child on your back.
At about the five month mark when he was able to hold his head steady, I started using a pouch to carry him on my hip. He loved this as he was snuggled in to me and he was able to look around. And the hip carry seems like such a natural position to carry a child.
Another versatile carrier is the ring sling. This type of carrier can be used in several different positions and from newborn on up. Holds include the cradle, kangaroo, hip, and some people even slide their older child around to their back.
Some carriers are specifically designed for the hip carry, have quick buckles, and are easily adjustable between wearers. My husband and I can both use our hip carrier.
And then there are buckle carriers that can be used front or back. Yes, you can carry a 35 pound child on your back without much difficulty if you have a carrier that distributes the weight. I wish I had gotten one of these type of carriers earlier since they can be used from birth on. I actually still have time to try one of these out.
Carriers I have used:
Mei tai: Mine was made locally, but there are quite a few companies that make these.
Pouch: Hotsling and Puj Go Sling are two that are not adjustable. Rockin' Baby makes an adjustable pouch which is good because your weight and your baby's change so much in that first year. Pouches are easy because you just pop the baby in and there are no adjustments. But you have to get the right size--except with the Rockin' Baby since it is adjustable.
Ring Sling: I have a Rockin' Baby ring sling. My daughter even has the kid version to wear her dolls!
Hip Carry: I have the Scootababy and it is so easy for both my husband and I to wear even though he is 10 inches taller than me.
Backpack: I don't have a backpack carrier, but I have been lusting after the Ergo and Beco.
Mothering Magazine had a special babywearing issue that was helpful in describing all the different types of carriers out there, good brands in each category, and how to do the different holds. I have held on to that copy as a reference and I believe you can order back issues.Read my reviews:
Scootababy
Rockin' Baby (coming soon)
Puj (coming soon)
