Babywearing, oh how I love thee.
I don’t know how I would get through most days if it wasn’t for the convenience of babywearing. I loved it with my first child, but fell even more deeply into love with all things babywearing with the birth of our second kid. With a crazy, rambunctious toddler to keep alive and a little sweet, but lately super-clingy little baby girl, babywearing saves my sanity in so many ways.
Use of Both Hands
Have you tried making a PB&J with one hand? It’s tough. Throwing the kiddo in the baby carrier allows me the use of both hands for every day tasks that you took for granted pre-baby. It allows me to somewhat keep up with keeping our house moderately clean (laundry, vacuuming, dusting) all with baby in tow. Cooking? Yep! That too (most of it — I don’t do much stove top cooking while wearing for fear of splatters of surface burns). You know how baby always starts fussing the minute your meal is ready to eat? Just pop them in and eat. Warning: crumbs in their hair will happen. And most importantly, I can have both hands available to use while taking care of our toddler which I’ll get into a little later.
Exercise
I love being able to get up and move around while babywearing. No more feeling trapped on the couch underneath a sleeping baby. There were countless times the first few months with both my kids, that I would put them in the carrier and walk, walk, walk. Aside from walking, there are babywearing yoga and cardio-resistant workouts. CariFit offers a great line of cardio classes online for babywearing mamas.
Happy Baby, Happy Mom
Most babies love being worn. The close proximity to mom mimics their life in the womb and brings them comfort and peace. If any of my children were fighting nap time or being super fussy, I could put them in the carrier and walk around a few minutes/sing and they’d be out within minutes or at least calm and no longer crying. With a little practice, you can even nurse discreetly in the carrier which is great for those that are a little nervous about public breastfeeding.
Shopping
Infant car seats are huge! The first time we went shopping with our toddler and infant, we realized that there was no room in the cart for groceries. By using the carrier, you open up a ton of grocery cart space and there is less fussing too. Double win!
Travel
Although we have a double stroller to put both kids in, there are times that a stroller (especially one that large), can be a hindrance and impossible to maneuver. When we recently went to an amusement park as a family, being able to wear the baby while the toddler rode along in the stroller was so convenient. On another vacation, we were hiking trails and walking sand dunes. There was no way the stroller would have been able to cover that terrain.
Keeping Up with the Toddler
If you’re about to be a mom to two under the age of 3, you need a carrier. Those first few months would have been exponentially more difficult without being able to put our newborn/infant into a carrier. It’s such a time of transition and this allowed a great balance and opportunity to keep everyone as happy, healthy and safe as possible. The carrier allows me to meet my toddlers needs and prevent him from feeling like he’s not getting as much attention while still keeping our baby safe and cozy. It’s easy to be able to be outside with our son playing while sis takes a snooze or just comes along for the ride.
I often get asked about what my favorite carriers are. I loved using a Sakura Bloom silk sling ring during the early newborn days. It’s easy to use and nestle baby in nice and close, while also keeping them supported. As my babies got older (and more wiggly), I often switched to a more structured carrier. I currently use an Ergo Original, but have been hearing rave reviews about LilleBaby carriers too. I’d love to be able to have a structured carried that baby can face outward in such as the Ergo 360 (I have an older carrier from several years ago) or Lillebaby Complete Airflow (Totally on my wishlist! It’s breathable, has 6 carrying options and has amazing support).
Really helpful article 🙂
Yes, we baby wear all the time so that we can get chores done around the house, or when baby is fussy and just needs some extra snuggles to fall asleep. We primarily use the Moby wrap, the Ergo baby 360 and the Mountain Buggy Juno!
We do almost every single afternoon nap in the Ergo. I’d prefer not too but Aiden wakes her up otherwise. I want a forward facing carrier like the 360 so bad! How is the Mountain Buggy?
I was (still am) madly in love with the idea of babywearing. But my little boy is just so easygoing, he was happy to be in his bassinet or playing on the floor.
Maybe next time 🙂
And I’m definitely prepared – I have an Ergo, ring sling, Hug-A-Bub and a Girasol woven. I might have gone a bit over the top…
Awww, how old is he? I’m jealous that you have a woven. That’s one of next investments (hopefully).
Also, your blog has so much valuable information. Definitely checking it out more thoroughly later. 🙂
A friend of mine has the one you wrap around yourself, I forget the brand, and shes swears by that thing! It’s definitely on my list of required baby stuff when the time comes.
Yes, yes, yes. This is me. My son is three and with a new baby, the only way I get through my day is with my carrier. What in the world would we do without them?!
Yes! It’s a lifesaver, and you get tons of bonus snuggles!
Baby wearing IS LIFE!! Oh I can not say how many times it saved my life! From my oldest who is 17 right now to my youngest who was a preemie born at 27 wks old. It not only helped me get done but also it was basically a life line for my youngest and I. Even now that she is 3 years old I’ll have her in a carrier and the sound of my heart beat will put her right to sleep. Loved your post!
It saved my sanity, too! I can’t imagine traveling without having at least one kid in a baby carrier.
I wish I was able to wear my babies! I didn’t try with the first and the second wouldn’t let me!
Yes! babywearing for the win!
I love babywearing!! I did it with my first, and do it with my second. 🙂
I didn’t really wear my first two, but I did wear my third a lot. We used the ergo mostly. It really kept my hands free and able to chase after the other two!
I don’t have kids but babywearing looks great for moms to do their chores and get their hands free!
The one I had was from thirteen years ago. They were so much more work. The one’s today look like they’re super simple to put on. Yes, I did the same thing. I would workout carrying the baby as a weight.
Great that baby wearing is becoming a thing nowadays. I mean, gone are the days that you have to sit still and do nothing but carry a baby all day long.
I saw a woman doing yoga while baby wearing in the park the other day. I had to take note because I had never seen that before. She looked like she had it all together!