When Did You Stop Wearing. . .

your child?

I'm 17-weeks pregnant today and I still wear my 3-year old fairly often.  Yes, I know he can walk.  Yes, I know that he's not a "baby" any longer.  Yes, I know that several people think I'm totally bonkers for wearing him at all - especially while pregnant AND in the hot Summer months.

Why do I still wear him?  Mainly because wearing him is sometimes the safest and easiest option when we're in public and he's only 3-years old so his legs tire far easier and earlier than mine.  Also, he's pretty tall and it's becoming impossible to find a stroller that he can comfortably ride in for any long periods of time.  And, I confess, whether at home or in public, both my son and I like the closeness that wearing him provides.

I weighed him today and he's finally 30-pounds.  I realize that he's far from being a heavy load, but I know that my back will only continue to ache and it will get worse as this pregnancy progresses.  At this point, however, it's not that big of a deal to toss him on my back in the Ergo or the Boba or to let him ride on my hip in the pouch or the ring sling.

But the clock is ticking and I will have to decide pretty quick when I'm going to stop wearing him.  I don't want to bar him from riding on my back or hip too close to my due date because I don't want him to draw the connection that his loss of ridership privileges is the baby's fault.  Depending on how I deliver this baby, I may not even be able to pick him up for weeks afterward - let alone hitch a ride for extended periods on my body.  Besides, I'm assuming that I'll be wearing the baby all cozied up in a wrap so that only leaves my back available for toddler rides anyway.

So, back to my original question, when did you stop wearing your child(ren)?  Did you wear your kiddos during pregnancy?  When did you stop wearing them if you wore them in pregnancy?  Was your older child jealous that the new baby was being worn and they were not?  If you had a c/s, did the older child ever want to be worn again once you were able to wear them?

The Bloom Hasn't Worn Off Sakura Bloom

Have you ever quietly lusted after an impossibly unpractical object?  I've been doing that for months now over Sakura Bloom ring slings.  I'm partial to their Artisan silk ring slings (like the one on the left), but they are all incredibly beautiful.  Check out their website to see for yourself.

I may stay home with my son, but we are not rich.  I'm not in a financial position to purchase such an extravagant baby item and I really don't need another baby carrier.  I'm not a fancy dresser and I certainly would have little reason to show off such a delightfully lovely sling.  But, geez, these are so gorgeous that I can't stop myself from dreaming about how pretty I might look toting my little Tot in a sweet silk sling.

Somehow in this daydream, I don't have messy eyebrows in desperate need of plucking.  Grey hairs aren't winning the battle on my head.  The wrinkles on my forehead miraculously disappear.  I'm thirty pounds lighter and four inches taller.  And I'm wearing my boy in an utterly stunning ring sling.  Yeah, I guess you could say that I've thought about these slings a lot! 

My eyes popped out of my head when I realized that I might be able to win one.  And, if you're interested, you might be able to win one too.

Nurture Baby Naturally has a giveaway for three Sakura Bloom ring slings once they hit a certain amount of Facebook fans.  They will be giving away two Pure slings, which are a single layer of Irish linen, and one Simple sling, which is a double layer of dupioni silk.  Check out Nurture Baby Naturally on Facebook to find six ways to enter to win.

It's already blazing where I live and, as my readership knows, I've been belly-aching over how hot it is to wear my son in the ERGO or the pouch.  However, a ring sling of linen or silk. . .ah, how refreshingly light it must feel!  Oh, Sakura Bloom, how I covet your slings!

Warm Weather Babywearing

Summer is nearly here and the heat is on!

I was looking over my stash of baby carriers to find the coolest possible solution for wearing my toddler during the hot Summer months. My son weighs between 25 - 30 pounds, but I still wear him a lot. I haven't used the stroller in weeks because, between the ERGO and the Maya Wrap Adjustable Pouch, he's perfectly content to hitch a ride on my back or on my hip.

I'm sure that some are surprised that wearing such a heavy toddler is possible without breaking the wearer's back. I think it's totally comfortable if you use the correct carrier in the correct carry. I can only tolerate front carrying, for example, for a few minutes before my lower back begins protesting. On the other hand, I can carry him on my back or on my hip for HOURS without experiencing any pain. Similarly, using a crotch-dangle baby carrier (like the Baby Bjorn) wouldn't be comfortable for either of us for any long period of time. Using a wide-seated carrier that allows the child to "frog" out their body (legs spread, knees bent & drawn up higher than their bottom) is comfortable for hours at a time.

My only complaint about babywearing at this point is that it is already hot in my neck of the woods and our combined body heat just slays me some days. The ERGO and my Maya Wrap Adjustable Pouch, while supportive and comfortable for the two of us, are constructed of a canvas-like material and they don't exactly breathe easily. My ring sling is made of a more gauzy material, but I just can't wear him for hours in the ring sling. However, I'm still learning how to wear and adjust the ring sling, so I'm hoping that it gets more comfortable in time. At this point, I can only wear him in it for about an hour or so.

I'm tapping the knowledge and experience of my readership to help find a Summertime babywearing solution. What are your favorite baby carriers for warm weather babywearing?

A Looong Day of Babywearing

My son stepped on the digital scale this morning and I mentally made a note of his current weight. 26.6 pounds. This is interesting because I wore my son in the ERGO for six hours today. He spent four hours on my back and two hours in front while I desperately tried to get him to take a nap.

I have to say that I am more impressed with the ERGO each time I use it. Initially, I didn't care for it and I found back-carries to be difficult at best. Somewhere along the line, I have become very good at hoisting my kiddo over my head and onto my back. I still feel like a weirdo when I bend over at the waist so I can reach the straps, but I can't figure out another way to grab them. I've also learned that it is far more comfortable for me if I wear the waist strap down at hip level.

I'm excited to report that my back doesn't hurt. My shoulders don't hurt. Nothing hurts at all even though I wore a 26.6 pound toddler for six hours!

I still love my pouch and I'm still enjoying my ring sling, but the ERGO is definitely one of my three favorite carriers for toting my toddler. Here is my order of preference: pouch, ERGO, ring sling.


What carriers do you like for toting your babies or toddlers?

Slingin' Babies & Pouchin' Toddlers

I won't have time to write a post tomorrow, so I figured that I better do it tonight.


Earlier this month I wrote about how much I adore my Maya Wrap Adjustable Pouch. It has proven to be an indispensable part of my parenting arsenal. I truly wonder how I parented effectively without an appropriate carrier for my toddler.

When my son is upset or overwhelmed, he goes in the pouch. When my son is tired and we're out, he goes in the pouch. When we're in situations that can be dangerous, he goes in the pouch. When Mama needs an extra pair of arms, he goes in the pouch. You get the idea. I have "pouched" him as he's starting to have a meltdown and being held close quickly restores his sweet attitude. I've joked that we should have named him Joey because he likes being in the pouch so much.

I took my MIL to the doctor again today and she requires a wheelchair at the moment. He won't sit still on her lap and he can't be trusted to walk by himself without holding Mama's hand, so he went in the pouch. My son eagerly snuggled up to me once he was safely ensconced in the pouch and I was able to push my MIL in the wheelchair.

Two different people stopped to ask me about the pouch.

While in the elevator, one woman asked my son's weight and I replied that he was around 25 pounds. Her eyes widened and she asked if he was too heavy to carry him in the pouch. I told her that it's perfectly comfortable for us and just a few weeks ago he was pouched for 3 1/2 hours with no problems. She told me that a friend can't wear her 20-pound baby because the child is so heavy. I let her know that there many types of carriers, one for nearly any mama and nearly any baby, gave her some ideas, and exited the elevator.

While checking in, the receptionist commented that my son looked comfortable hanging out in the pouch and I replied that I thought he was. She wanted to know if it was difficult to wear him. I told her the same thing that I'd told the woman in the elevator. The receptionist responded that she can't wear her 6-month old anymore because it's painful for mama. I asked what type of carrier she was using and it sounds like she's using a Baby Bjorn or some other type of crotch-dangle baby carrier. You know what I mean, the kind that has the baby facing outward, legs dangling, and all the baby's weight is supported by their crotch. I suggested a few carriers that would be more comfortable for her and for her baby. She countered that there has been a "sling recall" and I let her know that the recall is about a specific type of carrier, not all "slings" or carriers are dangerous. She mentioned that babies had suffocated while being worn and I let her know that it is perfectly safe to wear your baby or toddler if you are using an appropriately-designed carrier and using it properly. By now there was a line behind me and I finished by encouraging her to check out babywearing to learn about the vast variety of carriers that are available.

I typically like to quickly go about my business and don't like to idly chit-chat with strangers that I will most likely never see again. Since when do I care what someone thinks of baby/toddlerwearing? I can only guess that I care because I love it so much and it has brought tremendous comfort to my son. I believe that we have a special bond because I wore him so often in the early days. No, I'm not saying that mamas who don't wear their babies don't have a special relationship. I'm saying that I believe that my relationship with my son has been enhanced because I chose to keep him close all the time. Well, except bedtime because he's always slept in his own bed.

The pediatrics department was busy today and ALL infants were strapped into their infant carseat/carriers while waiting. Yes, every single infant was left to sit in a carseat/carrier. Some of the carseat/carriers were on the floor, which is the safest place I suppose, others were on a chair next to mom. Out of all the moms that I saw today, around ten or so, only one was paying any attention to her baby. Even when babies were fussing, moms still didn't pick up their child and chose to rock/shake the carseat/carrier instead. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with carseat/carriers, I know some good mamas who have used them, but the behavior in the waiting room today was interesting to me.

I can't imagine putting my baby in a carseat/carrier and toting them around that way. Let's start with the fact that they are heavy and bulky. Kind of like, well, a carseat. I hated the idea of leaving my son in a seat when he didn't have to be and I loved to cuddle with him in waiting rooms, in stores, in restaurants, anywhere. Before anyone gets all up in arms, remember, I am not saying there is anything wrong with carseat/carriers. I just would never, never, never tote my son around in one because I prefer to wear him close.

Wearing your children, pushing them in strollers, toting them in carseat/carriers. . .I don't know which is best. But I do know which I prefer for my children and now my readership does too. What about you?

Wrap Stars and More!

I adore babywearing. Other than when he was going to bed in the evening, I wore my son nearly non-stop for his first six months. Since I was physically unable to lift my stroller in and out of my car (thanks to my c-section), I felt that my wrap was a god-send.

I used an Ultimate Baby Wrap, which is a very thin and stretchy material. I used my wrap like an extra pair of arms, cradling my son throughout the day. Of course, I couldn't help but constantly rub my son's back or kiss his sweet head when I had him in the wrap. Kissing and lovingly caressing your child seems like it would be so much more difficult when they are strapped into a stroller or carseat carrier. . .

My son seemed to like being held so close and he rarely cried unless I didn't catch his hunger cues. I loved this wrap and was so happy with my purchase. The bloom wore off when my son hit around 15 - 20 pounds or so. The stretchy material became a total hassle because I had to constantly adjust and tighten the wrap.

I was sad on the day that I retired the wrap and began using the stroller full-time. I thought that my babywearing days were over, a fond memory of my earliest days of motherhood.

I have rediscovered babywearing. Well, I never actually forgot babywearing, so I guess I have just discovered toddlerwearing. I bought a few different types of carriers a few months ago and I have to say that I absolutely adore wearing my 22-month old.

Due to my father's recent health problems, I spent many hours at the hospital last month. Thanks to my Maya Wrap Adjustable Pouch, the time passed quite comfortably. I was amazed that I could wear my 25-pound son without experiencing any aches or pains. My son liked being able to snuggle up to me when he was feeling tired, stressed, or overwhelmed. I appreciated the pouch acting like an extra set of arms and enjoyed the special closeness with my darling son.

I spent four hours at the doctor's office with my MIL today and I wore my son for 3 1/2 of those hours. My son is usually an impossibly busy toddler and he never stops moving. But, while in the pouch, he was calm, relaxed, and content. I honestly wonder how I handled parenthood without a pouch.


Note: Some types of carriers are very dangerous and should be avoided at all costs. Bag-style slings (like the Infantino Sling Rider) are all but impossible to use safely and their use has resulted in many infant deaths. If you are interested in babywearing, please do your research and make sure that you are properly using a carrier that is safe for your child.