“B” is for Babywearing

Babywearing is a centuries old custom that Americans are just now taking advantage of and tapping into the benefits of. The women in African nations have worn their babies while they worked the rice fields for as long as most of us can remember. We have all seen pictures of Indian mothers with little brown Indian babies strapped to their back. And it is now becoming much more common to see mothers “wearing” their children at your local mall or zoo. It is so much easier than trying to squeeze in tight spaces with a stroller and let’s admit it, how many of us have found ourselves pushing an empty stroller while trying to juggle a fussy baby. Now, there is a better way, and I love it. This is one of my favorite part of motherhood.

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Josiah and I in the fall of 2007

I have used many styles of carriers over the years and have liked each one for different reasons. I love the ease and simplicity of a ring sling like the one above as if is easy to slip off and on with no wrapping or knotting involved. These slings work great for children from birth to about 2 or so.

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Babywearing is one of my favorite activities with my newborns.

I realized as I put this post together that I am really good about taking pictures of my newborns and I babywearing but no so good once they get older. I plan to fix that with Elizabeth. The green wrap in the next few pictures is my Moby wrap and it is worth its weight in gold literally. It can calm a fussy newborn in a matter of minutes as they melt into your chest and fall asleep to the sound of momma’s heartbeat that they heard for nine months.

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Elizabeth and I spending time as we do most of everyday right now.

 

Elizabeth is a great baby but tends to want to be snuggled and loved on a lot in the morning hours. The Moby makes school and housework much easier as I still have two hands and no crying baby in the background. I love wearing her as much as I get to and I love the she loves it. I am hoping she will want to enjoy that special time for her and I for many years!! I will never forget the first time I went to the store after Jeremiah was born. Katherine was only 2 and she LOVED babywearing so I had worn her even while pregnant with Jeremiah. She did not like her little brother riding in her carrier so I ended up shopping with her on my back in my Ergo carrier (I don’t have pictures of this carrier but again worth the extra money, it doesn’t compare to other carriers of this type. It is so comfortable!) and Jeremiah on the front in the Moby. A moment I will never forget!!!

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My “Chunky Monkey” Jeremiah and I snuggling a few years ago. He will be 3 in just a few weeks. Where do the years go?
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Katherine is peeking in checking on her baby in the Moby I made for my girls. I have since made an even larger one and just this week watched my 11 year old wear her baby while playing.

  Babywearing is very catching! Around here it is a family affair!

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