International Babywearing Week

Let's take a journey shall we? It will be fun, I promise. We're going to talk about babywearing!!! See?? FUN!

As many of you know, I wear my babies - a lot. If people see me in public without a baby attached they often will comment that something looks different they just don't know what. It's the baby. I know. I love it!!!

I am going to gush about WHY I wear my babies this week over at The Bee in Your Bonnet. So, today I am going to talk about different carriers, and which is my favorite.

I started wearing my baby almost 6 years ago. My first carrier was a Maya Wrap sling. I loved it. I wore it with all of my children until I started making my own ring slings that I like better ;) I love the versatility of the ring sling. It can be used from the time they are newborn, up until about 40 lbs! Amelia still loves the sling and will ask me quite often to "go for a ride" in it.

I love how easy the sling is. I have one in my house and one in my car. Libby never (ok, 3 times in her little life) goes in the store in her carseat. She rides in it in the car, period. We get places, and I take her out and put her in the sling. I have done this with all my babies. It helps them get used to being moved when they are sleeping (definite plus!), and that way when they wake up in the store -- which they will if left in the carseat-- I will still have my hands free!

It is adjustable, and you can wear all ages of kiddos in it. For newborns, just fold them back up in the fetal position and let them snuggle up against you, smell you, hear you, and breathe you. For older babes, put them in it on your hip. For even older ones, they can ride on your back! See?? I told you, versitle.

Emma and Mom, February 2003

Emma and Mom, March 2003

Emma and Dad, July 4, 2003

Seth and Mom (and Amelia in utero) March, 2006

Mom and Amelia, May 2007

Mom, Seth, Amelia (and Libby in utero) July 2008

Libby and Mom, October 2008

I also love my Ergo Baby Carrier. I got it just a few weeks before Emma died. I would use it to go to the mailbox, and around the house. I also used it, put her on my back, to help my brother and sister-in-law pack up their house. That was the last time I used it before Seth was born. She died the next week. I digress...When Seth was born, I whipped it out and used it to go on a hike when he was 6 weeks old.

Seth and Mom, July 2004

Daddy and Seth, June 2005

I love the Ergo for the comfort and practicality. When I am going to be out for a long time, like hiking, or sight seeing, or something like that, I love it. Often, I would put Seth in it and we would take the train to downtown SLC. It was so nice for that. The picture vabove was taken in Washington D.C. We also used it all through Philadelphia for that trip. I actually don't think I even brought the sling. It's not an in and out baby carrier, like the sling, but it is just so comfortable, for the baby and the wearer.

I also love my wraps. I first learned about wraps when Seth was a baby. A Mom at my LaLeche League meeting was using this really long bit of fabric and wrapping her baby in it. I was instantly drawn to her, it looked so cool!!! I asked her about it, and she informed me that it was just 6 yards of crinkle cotton from Walmart! She pointed me in the direction of MamaToto, and I went to Wally World right after. I got 2 different fabrics, and use them both still!

vKanga, Roo and their Treehouse, October 2004

Kanga, Piglet, Tigger and Roo; October 2006

Apple picking with my 2 week old Libby

Snuggling Libby after a day of cleaning, cooking and loving on my babe.

So, as you may have gathered, I love all of my baby wearing devices. I love them for different reasons. There are so many different carriers out there, I have only scratched the surface. If you want to read more (and I know you do), head over to Stephanie's blog Adventures in Babywearing to read many many many more stories, and about lots of other Moms that wear their babies! She is also running a contest for two different carriers from Nonny and Boo. How great is that??

I will be writing a lot more about babywearing this week. If you have any questions, let me know! I've been doing it for a while, so I bet I can help you! :)