Summer has offically ended for me. Little Dude is in preschool, our little neighbors started REAL school, and now JR's preschool starts today. (JR is going one day a week, that is all I could handle, with Little Dude being gone 3 days already).
So now, for Wednesday mornings, it is just me and Champ.
And part of me wants to soak up every minute I get with JUST him, but then, another part of me starts a HUGE list of what I could maybe get cleaned, wiped, dusted, worked, DONE while my other two tornadoes are gone at school.
My compromise? Oh yes, my good friend saves me-my Mei Tai. I love it, and will be spending today working on the computer, doing laundry, mopping, and maybe even FOLDING laundry-while Champ snuggles close in my Baby Hawk.
And now, a random cute photo of Champ sleeping during our walk yesterday:
Little Dude and JR on the Blue Ridge Parkway Sitting in a tree stump chair Babywearing in the mei-tai at the Linville Caverns. The Caverns are AMAZING. The boys hiking together to the Linville Falls Bill and Little Dude in the Caverns
I'm so ready to go back; the kids had a blast playing in the woods and exploring all the trails. Bill and I had a wonderful time getting to discover the outdoors with the boys, too-somehow seeing it with them was like seeing it for the first time. Just awesome.
We are going camping with the kids in a few weeks and I am SO super excited. We will be taking the kids back closer to my childhood home, deep in the mountains of the Blue Ridge Parkway-YAY!
Though I love my current home town-and would really rather never move away from here-a little tiny part of me misses the mountains, though when I was a senior in high school I couldn't get away fast enough.
Funny how that happens.
Anyways, I am crazy CRAZY excited to go camping, and hiking, and ROAST MARSHMALLOWS with Bill and the boys. And Bill and I are super excited the boys have reached the ages to make this a fun trip.
The place we are going has a play ground, swimming lake, fishing, hiking, and quick access to the Linville falls and caverns-whoo hoo!
I can't wait to do some hiking with the kids.We do a lot around here, so I think they will be good, but since this will not be mostly flat hiking, I am a little worried about JR making it the whole way, and so I'll have my mei tai with me, just in case.
Though, with as hot as it has been, I am worried that might be too warm for him. I found the new Ergo Baby Performance Carrier and I want the gray one so badly, but it seems everyone is sold out of them right now, so not much chance they will be back in stock I could order one in time for our hiking trip. Oh well, it's all good, because we are going CAMPING!
JR curling up last winter; I love how his big eyes are staring at me.
At the park near our home in Alabama all snuggled up. I think JR was about 5 months here. My very first carrier-a pouch sling. This was at my cousin's wedding-I think Little Dude was 10 months here. On our way to Texas. This Mei Tai has become my favorite carrier now that JR is older. JR watching the fish tank while we pose for a photo. This was in Texas at the Dallas Aquarium. Little Dude's head is down at the bottom.
Those are a few of my favorite babywearing moments. They are starting to get few and far between now that JR has decided he enjoys walking/running after his brother more, but when it is needed, my ring slings and Mei Tai have been a life saver.
Me and Little Dude with my first carrier, a pouch sling. I got it off ebay after I met a woman who was using a "New Native" carrier back in late 2006. Since I had no idea about babywearing, I didn't want to shell out much money for a carrier, so I opted for a cheaper version made by a stay at home mom. I have used this tons, and it has a permenant spot in my car for quick trips in and out of stores. Me and JR in our Babyhawk Mei Tai. This is my must have carrier if I will be carring JR for a long period of time, or doing a lot of walking (like on a hiking trail or the zoo) The only down side is that if he falls asleep I have to have someone help me get his arms back inside the loops so I can get the head rest right for him. He is at the age now though that he stays awake most of the time for our adventures.
JR in another pouch sling that I got as a gift. This one is great for winter because of the nice padding.
JR in my first ring sling; this one is super great and my very favorite because of the great padding and soft lining, but the lady that made it has stopped selling them.
My Bjorn, I have the sport one, made out of really mesh-y material. It was perfect for hot days in AL, and I found it really comfy until JR got over 13 lbs. I know a lot of people don't count it as "babywearing" , but I do.
I think this is my all time favorite sling, because it has a pocket that is perfect for my wallet. It is a great grab and go carrier for the grocery store, so if you run into me there, you'll find JR is usually in this one.
As part of the fun, I thought I would share with you all one of my favorite things to do while babywearing.
Exercising.
Yes, you read correctly. I like to exercise while wearing JR. I got the Lullaby Exercises from Chicks-N-Chickens, a wonderful mom run company that promotes items to make life easier for us moms and dads. Part of making life easier? Finding alone time while a colicky baby screams.
That is where Lullaby Exercises steps in. It is a great workout, which you can customize yourself to push a little harder and stretch further, or you can make it easy and simple-all depending on what you and your doctor agree you can do. The best part? You can do it all while holding your baby, or wearing your baby in a sling/carrier. The Lullaby Exercises is set to beautiful music that is sure to calm your baby and probably even get them to sleep as your body movements gently rock them to sleep.
I found it GREAT to use with JR over the past few days, since I am parenting alone right now. Bill is still in AL, so since we came back from AL, I have been flying solo with the kids, which means I get VERY little "me" time. And even when I do-and it might only be a few moments to get some work done- I feel guilty. Sound familiar? And on top of it it has rained the last few days, giving me some hyper active boys.
My oldest son did the exercises/danced around with his Thomas Train while I did the exercises with JR in my ring sling. Super fun, JR feel asleep pretty quick, and Little Dude got some energy out while I got a great workout.
Oh thank goodness for babywearing!
If you would like to get your own Lullaby Exercises (and I think it would be a GREAT baby shower gift for a mom-to-be or new mom)check out Chicks-N-Chickens at www.checks-n-chickens.com, follow them on Facebook: chicks-n-chickens or on twitter: @chicksnchickens or you can also find Lullaby Exercises at your local Barnes & Noble.
**Note I did receive Lullaby Exercises for the purpose of reviewing from Chicks-N-Chickens and fell in love with their company. ***
I know it is already Thursday, but I wanted to share with you all that RIGHT NOW, International Babywearing Week is taking place!! There are all kinds of fun forums, question answer sessions, and giveaways going on for all the babywearing moms and dad AND those that are interested in what babywearing is all about.
Here are some things I love about Babywearing:
*It keeps my hands free for other things, like my coffee, or work. *It calms my crying baby and helps to get a fussy baby to sleep *It is fun *It can be affordable. There are expensive slings and carriers out there, but if you look around on ebay or etsy, you can find some very nice, comfortable baby carriers. My favorite is a Maya Wrap (that I found cheap on ebay) because it has a pocket, making it perfect for wearing while shopping. *It is very comfortable if you use the right carrier for your body-like if you have chronic back pain, a mei tai or backpack carrier probably isn't a smart choice; however, a nice padded ring sling probably would be great, because it will place all of your child's weight on your hip (it is just like holding a baby on your hip, only the sling holds them in place instead of your arm, nice!)
Other Questions? Feel free to ask! You can email me at coordinatedchaos@yahoo.com
I have a pouch sling, which I think is a great intro to babywearing because there is no adjusting to do. I also have 2 ring slings, one for summer and one that is lined with soft fabric for winter. I am really excited for the weather to get cold so I can wear JR around in it. For back carry I use a Babyhawk Mei Tai (pronounced may-tie), which I also got really cheap off ebay, but I honestly think I would pay full price for a new one. I'm in love with my Babyhawk and use it the most often now, esp when we take JR to football games. I have never tried an ergo, though I would love, too, but honestly since it is not made in America I'm not too excited about it. Babyhawk does make all their carriers right here in the USA, and both my ring slings and my pouch sling were, too.
Would you like to win a ring sling? Steph over at Adventures in Babywearing is hosting a FUN review/contest to win a Sakura Bloom sling, so go check it out!
Happy Babywearing!! **Note that I paid for all of my babywearing items; I did not get anything in compensation for mentioning any companies in this post.**
Mothers need support, help, and most of all, understanding, during the wonderful years of raising a child. It can often feel though, as though there is nothing but criticism coming our ways.
Are you breast feeding? No? You should be.
Are you bottle feeding? No? That's why he is so skinny! He's not getting enough to eat!
Are you co-sleeping? No? You should be.
You ARE co-sleeping? You're weird.
You let your baby have a sip of soda? That will rot his teeth.
You don't practice attachment parenting? It is so wonderful, why wouldn't you?
You wear your baby every time he cries? That's why he is so clingy.
As much as I crave getting out of the house and finding moms to hang out with, sometimes it can just be too much. The constant bombardment of criticism. I have one set of friends that do full on attachment parenting, and a set that thinks attachment parenting is odd. A set that thinks hospitals are horrible places to have babies, and a set that think it is crazy to have a home birth.
I often find my own ideas to run in the middle of both groups; however, when I am with one group or the other, I tend to "hide" the part of my parenting style that gets criticized.
Because I don't want to be criticized; I want to be thought of as a good mom.
Like all of us moms, we want to be good moms. We want other people to smile and say "What a great job you are doing; all your hard work is really amazing!"
But often, our greatest critics are our fellow moms, who really should be our greatest allies. We should realize how very hard it is for a new mom to go out to the mall for the first time, and not laugh at her. How very hard it is for the mom of 4 to get all 4 to walk nicely side by side. And how very hard and stressful it can be when deciding how to discipline in public. 'Cause we know that half the people think you should be spanking your little love bug and the other half think that the "stern talk" you gave them was much too harsh.
So today, moms, let us give each other a challenge-let's make an effort to comfort a mom (or dad!)-give her affirmation instead of criticism. Let her know that you understand the million different things pulling on her today.
Let her know that SHE is the mom of HER baby for a reason-she is the best person to raise that child, and no one else can judge but her what is the best for her child.
As long as you and your baby are healthy and happy, then your parenting style is perfect for you.
And just keep telling yourself: This Baby is Mine and I'm doing a great job.
Our playgroup went to the Air and Space Museum over in Pensacola, Florida. Little Dude loved it and got so excitied to see all the planes; it was an hour drive away, but well worth it. We will have to go again when Bill can come too!
I wore JR the whole day in my sling, and was SO GLAD I didn't have a stroller with me. Little Dude was so excited to run all over to all the levels, and it was so much easier and comfortable to keep up with him by having JR tied to me! I think I converted a few moms from their strollers after I let them try my sling; they all loved how padded and comfortable it was! Whooo hoo for babywearing!
While there, we met a lot of vetrans, and I couldn't help taking a picture of these soldiers as they stood before our flag. Quite beautiful, don't you think?
I wish I could have run into them and told them how thankful I am to have them protect us and serve in our military. I also wish I could have gotten another angle on this shot, but they walked away before I could.
I love the Internet. I love shopping. I even love the logical mix of the two: online shopping!
However, I hate that so much of what I find online I can't find in any stores. There are just some things I want to TOUCH, TRY ON, and PRACTICE with before shelling out big bucks. Especially when the return policies and refunds can be a little hazy for a large online purchase.
I have been on the hunt for a good back carrier for my little JR (and perhaps my Little Dude too, since I am sure once he sees JR being carried that way he will at least want to try it), but I have been unable to find any stores that carry the kinds I have looked at.
I'd love to try a baby hawk or free hand Mei Tai, but honestly, I am just too nervous to think of trying to do the tying for a back carry alone. I don't know anyone that uses them here around me, so beyond online pictures or videos, I am not quite sure how to do it. I also want this to be something I could use when I am out alone, and unless I have someone to help, I just don't trust myself to tie everything well enough.
I'm also in love with this ergo, but I wonder how hot the material would be compared to this sport ergo. Since both places I live (AL and NC) have pretty hot summers, and it looks like this summer will be spent in AL (unless hubby gets laid off...)then air flow and the thickness of the material about JR would be very important. Something I just can't tell until I touch and check out the carriers. And I certainly don't want to buy BOTH and then fight to get a refund back on one...
I also am intrigued with this beco butterfly carrier, because it solves my personal hesitation over getting a back carrier to begin with: it has a built in panel that you can put you child into before putting them on your back; so you can do it alone, and they can't fall out. No tossing your child on your back and holding them with one hand while you tie straps or hook buckles. But again, I can't find a place that sells them in REAL stores, so I don't know if the material would be so close to JR that he would get hot and sweat all the time, or if I like the construction and sewing better than on the ergos.
And what about the padding? Though some of the carriers I like mention how much, it really can depend on how the padding is put in and what is used for padding as to make it comfortable. Both my ring slings were advertised with "light padding of 1/4 foam" but they both sit differently and feel differently just because of the design. Again, something I feel I need to try and touch to decide on which back carrier I want to buy. The padding is esp important since I would love to go hiking with the boys, and JR is just too little to do any real traveling except by stroller or carrier, and a back carry would be tons more comfortable on a good trail.
If these items were $30, or even $50, I wouldn't worry about it, and just order a couple and sell the ones I didn't like at a loss, or give them as gifts to other mom friends. But all of these are anywhere from $80 to $140, with the Free Hand being the cheapest (and only one under $100 after shipping and taxes), but also the one I know the least about and feel the most uneasy about trying. And even though I have money set aside and saved just for one of these carriers, it did take me a LONG time to save, so I want to pick a carrier I will be happy to have, be comfortable wearing and using.
I would love to try a wrap, but since they are only for front carry, it seems to make more sense for me to get one that can do front and back instead. And I think JR is getting a little big for a wrap anyway, as he is almost 18 pounds now...maybe with my next baby.
So, other moms out in the blogosphere, what are some of your opinions on the carriers I mentioned? Any one know a store in Mobile, AL or Raleigh, NC that might sell any of these? Can anyone show me how you get your kid on your back when you don't have a chair? Like, if you are out shopping? Or do you always have to sit in a chair to get your child get in the Mei Tai?
I'm so confused; if only I could touch the carriers....
Wow, Motrin. You didn't have any moms on your test panel did you? Did you even realize that the week you released this ad was International Babywearing Week? Dang guys.
Here is a new ad Motrin is running that is very ANTI babywearing. Now, if you don't wear your baby-and I count wearing as ALL carriers, bjorn, snuggli, maya wrap, ergos...etc-then that is cool-you are the parent and thus you know what works to keep you and your baby happy. So, if wearing your baby isn't a happy thing, then don't do it, and that is OK. For example, I don't sleep with my baby-personal choice, my family's thing, and what is best for us; babywearing is what is best for us and I love it.
Now watch this commercial:
OK, so what did you think of the tone? I thought it was quite mocking, and downright negative about babywearing. Which, to me makes no difference, except I will probably just think twice about buying Motrin. After all, if they can't put some real effort and research into their ads, why should I trust them to put effort and research into something I ingest?
For moms that haven't tried it, or moms who have yet to welcome their babies homes, I feel this ad is very ANTI babywearing, and actually makes it seem like it is a "trendy pain in the back" that ranks up there with designer handbags and the latest runway fashion stilettos. Their commercial makes it sound like babywearing is stupid-and it even lays out a little guilt to those that don't by saying you have to babywear to be an "official" mom. WHAT? No way! EVERYONE with a child, awaiting a child, trying for a child, lost a child, adopting a child, caring for a child and LOVING a child is an official and WONDERFUL mom.
And beyond babywearing, does it not make you feel like they are saying women are dumb enough do anything to be trendy, even endure pain for which they must take meds for? Maybe a fashion model does, or a movie star, but last I checked the moms buying Motrin are pretty smart and far more practical. I personally love fashion, but I don't do anything or wear anything that is going to cause me enough pain I have to take medication for it. Actually, Motrin people, I came across babywearing by trying to find a way to avoid the pain of carrying my baby in my arms or a normal front carrier (I had a Snuggli, and I could not adjust it to fit my shortness AND at the 10lb mark, my back killed me; sorry Snuggli) and found my ring slings and pouch slings to be great and pain free alternatives.
My friend Steph here at Adventures in Babywearing has tips on how to wear your baby and points out: if wearing your baby is hurting, then you are doing it WRONG. Instead of buying Motrin you need to get some advice or have someone show you how to adjust your carrier to fit you so that the pain stops.
Also, the reason babywearing is more for wraps, slings, pouches, and mei tais and (sorta) excludes Bjorn and Snuggli type carriers is because those DO hurt your back. They put all they baby's weight on your upper back, so once your baby reaches a good weight (for me that is the 10lb mark) your back will hurt after more than a short walk. With a good sling, pouch, mei tai, wrap, ergo, beco, or what have you, the baby's weight is evenly distributed through your shoulders, hips and back, keeping you from having pain because you don't end up with one pressure point supporting your baby. Your whole body supports your baby.
So, Motrin, perhaps you should have a babywearing mom on your marketing panel? And don't forget to hire some people that research what is going on in the world at the time you release your ads. After all, an anti babywearing ad during International Babywearing Week, when TONS of Babywearing Moms are on the internet sharing pictures and chatting it up, is not the smartest PR move.
After all, ALL those moms do need pain medication. We are girls you know, so at least once a month we need something. And they may have bought Motrin, but now you have quite upset a lot of them, be them loyal customers or prospective customers of Motrin.
Thoughts? Questions? I myself sent a comment to Motrin letting them know I thought the ad was rather misleading for new moms considering babywearing and made a mockery of an ANCIENT, inexpensive, and easy (not trendy) way of caring for children.
So this week starts International Babywearing Week! How fun! Check out the website for some great babywearing tips, facts and fun! Also, I just couldn't help but share some of my favorite babywearing photos:
Here is JR as a 2 week old in my pouch sling by infantino-I love this one for newborns and younger babies because it is padded and offers great head support. You can see how curled up and comfy he is-just like in the womb! It's also great as a first time sling because it is very easy to use. After the new born stage is over though, babies don't like is as much, since they can only lay down in it.
Here is Jr at about 8 weeks old in my ring sling. This is great for older babies, and you can wear them in hip, front facing, cradle or outward facing positions. (You can also do a back carry, but for toddlers and with help getting set up. Also,a Mei Tai is better for long term back carry)I personally love having him in the sitting up cradle position, or facing my chest (like in the pic). He loves sleeping this way.
You can get ring slings in all different fabrics, I have a thin one for hot weather and thicker one for cooler weather.
And here is my Bjorn. I love it, though it is not the most comfortable once your baby gets too heavy. JR is only 13 lbs right now, so for facing out front carry I love this carrier. He gets to face out and I feel secure he won't fall out! This one is great if you think you might be bending over some, like at the beach, and want to make sure he is doubly strapped in. In the picture we are visiting Dauphin Island (located in Mobile Bay) in Mobile,AL. Here we are visiting the USS ALABAMA Battleship. Climbing around the ladders inside the ship was MUCH easier (and very comfortable for me) having him secure in the sling than trying to hold him or a heavy car seat. Yes, I even saw someone trying to get around the ship with a stroller....Slings rock.
All of mine I found really cheap on ebay or craigs list. If you keep your eyes out and act quickly you will find bargins-I have never paid more than 20 dollors for any of my carriers, and I have 2 ring slings, one pouch sling (that I also got with my diaper bag), and a bjorn. I would love to try a Mei Tai carrier for back carry, so I will have to get one when JR gets a little bigger!
And for a more fun in babywearing, check out my friend Steph's blog, Adventures In Babywearing for the chance to win a way to hold your baby close to your heart! You can also see Steph's vlog at newbaby.com, where she will show you how to use different kinds of slings and pouches!
And to win a great toy for your baby from One Step Ahead, watch my vlog and check back here tomorrow!
It is funny how just driving around the streets of our home has become beautiful and wonderful, all because we have been living in Mobile, AL for so long now! Things I took for granted,like the beautiful flowers my neighbors have planted or the numerous wonderful parks and GREAT friends we have here, have come back to my full attention and I am so grateful for them all.
Today we went to play with Wendy and Mia at Pullen Park, which Little Dude loves because there is a little kiddie train we can ride on AND kiddie boats Mia and he can ride! I still had a ton of tickets left from the last time we went way back before our move, so it was kinda a free trip! (I didn't have to spend any more money, anyway!)
Mia and Little Dude are so great playing together, and since Wendy's husband and my husband work together AND they both went to NC State and also attend football games, it is fantastic fun to meet up and hang out!
I also wore JR in my new Maya Wrap ring sling, which I love even more than my other sling! (I didn't think it would be possible!) I got this new sling because the fabric of my other is really thick, and not so good for the hot weather we have in Mobile, though it will be perfect for winter.So, I hunted around, and found a small sized Maya Wrap ring sling on ebay for 1/4 the price online. VERY AWESOME. I lucked out in getting it in the pattern I loved online-it has beautiful striped bold colors (it even has a little pink!) made out of soft, breathable cotton.
And the best part?
It has a POCKET. AWESOME! So, today at the park, I wore JR, (he was in heaven) played with Mia, Wendy and Little Dude, AND carried my debit card, id, phone, and truck keys so I could leave the stroller where ever. I was not worried if anyone tried to steal something out of it, as all they would end up with would be a poopy diaper, wipes, extra diapers,some crackers, and changes of clothes for the kids.Nope, no one was going to get my debit card! And, when my son wanted some juice, all I had to do was get the money out of my sling pocket, instead of bending over and searching through my bottomless diaper bag for my wallet.
I worked in a daycare with infants for a year before becoming a stay at home mommy. I cared for and loved 4 little guys and gals that were "mine" as well as 4 other little guys and gals that were my "co-teachers babies". 8 babies in a room sounds crazy, but it actually was not.
And before working with babies, I taught preschool to 16 four year olds. Again, sounds crazy, but I loved every second of it!
I share this info because I wanted you all to understand where my confidence in taking care of children cames from. I've put in some years, and loved it, so surely, having my own couldn't be too terribly hard. Right? Right???
Well, I underestimated the not sleeping factor. AND I certainly underestimated the difficulty of having two children OF DIFFERENT AGES. Honestly, it is a feat just to keep the two guys alive. (I joke, kinda)
Little Dude is at the stage of jumping off everything, climbing anything, spinning in circles until he falls down (and most of the time he insists on doing it either in front of the fire place or coffee table..why???)
It is also a feat just trying to time up feedings, diaper changes and naps so we can get outside! And I am amazed at how little time I have found to work or blog. I was working at least 25 hours a week for Dakno when I had just Little Dude because he played very nicely either in the playroom where I could watch him while I worked in the office.
But now, with two, I can't leave them even across the room from me because Little Dude will try to climb into the pack and play to "kiss" JR. It is sweet, and I am happy, that he is saying "iss" (kiss) and wanting to hug his brother,as apposed to trying to bash JR in the head with something, but it is also frustrating because I can't leave them alone for even a second. I am carrying/wearing JR everywhere I go to keep him safe. At the same time, I am trying to give tons of time to Little Dude to make up for the fact I am always with JR. Wow.
So, this morning, I decided to see if any other parents out there had stories about balancing multiple children of multiple ages. I found this super cute and wonderful post by The Mommy Stories and it, along with her previous posts, really summed up my feelings about being a new mom to two very young boys in a very fun and elegant way. It was nice to get a good chuckle out of her story and to compare her experiences with mine. I think that's the best part of blogging, sharing stories and getting new perspectives! Let me just say, Steph's perspective and stories lifted my spirits this morning and gave me the "its not so bad, everyone feels overwhelmed, I can do it!" boost I needed.
Because, after all, I am new to the experience of two babies and everything will fall into place with time, just like it did the first time around. Now, I don't feel so crazy for thinking I was "qualified" for being a mommy of two, AND I don't feel so crazy for having feeling that I don't know how to juggle two!
But no worries, I am signed up with some great tutors, their names are Little Dude and JR.
Yay! It is the 4th of July! Last night was great, and Little Dude had a fabulous time dancing to the symphony and watching the fireworks!
Also, breastfeeding in my sling went FANTASTIC! Super yay! I have to say, my big problem was trying to have JR in the cradle hold while nursing....it went MUCH better having him in a semi-upright position. Thanks, Steph, for the tip! I also have to say, that a big part of my success was from having a nursing top on, which I got from Motherhood.
All in all, a great day, and I hope everyone has a Happy 4th! We are off to see the grandparents and enjoy the beach!
Well, I know it is not the 4th of July yet, but my little home town celebrates the 4th of July today, so I am super excited! We have the NC symphony, (Raleigh gets them on the 4th, thus we do the 3rd)tons of activities, FOOD, fantastic fireworks, and awesome neighbors that keep the fireworks going even after the town ones are over.
We will be going out with some of our close friends and neighbors and their children to enjoy the festivities. Since everything starts pretty early, and to get a good viewing spot for the fire works you have to get there even earlier, I will be wearing JR most of the afternoon and night. Thank goodness for slings, normal baby carriers don't fit me because I am so small and short, so without a sling I'd be carrying JR all day...no good.
Today, though, will be a big one for me: it will be my first time breastfeeding JR in public. In fact, I am pretty sure I never breastfed Little Dude in public. I was just too shy, so I always ran away to hide somewhere. Or made him formula, which would then cause me to not enjoy myself as much because my chest would hurt from being full. But I digress.
Today is my big day trying out the new ring sling I got and seeing if all the practicing I have done at home will make me successfully not flash anyone. I am also, for the sake of my sanity, taking some formula just in case I get too frustrated and upset to keep trying to discreetly feed in public. Stay tuned to see how public breastfeeding goes.
My ring sling came in the mail, just as I was hoping! Yay! It did take me a little bit to mess around with setting it all correctly and comfortably, even with the great directions, as it is more complicated than my pouch sling. But is the complexity of the ring sling worth it? You bet!
I got mine from Keiki-Kuddlerz, a company started and managed by a stay at home mom in Hawaii! It is so soft that I wish I could have clothes made out of this material. And oh so beautiful too!! There were tons of lovely fabrics to choose from, but from the perspective of having two sons and my husband working in construction engineering, I had to find a sling that would be beautiful for me and approved by him to carry his sons in. This was definitely it.
The flower design makes me feel ready for a luau, and a stroll on a beach, while the dark reds and olive greens make the baby blue and white colors pop, giving the sling a manly Hawaiian shirt feel. (perfect for carrying my boys around in and for Bill to want to carry them as well!). Trust me, the pictures I took don't do the beauty of this sling justice!
There are two toy hooks as well, and you can order slings with multiple hidden pockets as well, making your baby wearing truly hands free for quick stops when you just need a debit card or a little cash and don't want to carry the whole purse or diaper bag!
Mine ended up not having hidden pockets like I thought it did,(due to the fact I misunderstood the description, I will blame pregnant brain for that) but for the ridiculously low price I got it for on ebay, I can not complain at all-in fact, I am so super happy with it that I just REALLY can't wait for my new son to arrive and ride around in it!! Normally the slings will run you anywhere from $60 to $90, depending on the options and material you want, and trust me, it is well worth it. It is so well made and I even put 40 pounds of weights in it and walked around my house for awhile to test it out-can you believe it was comfortable the entire time? YES!!! And it felt super secure as well! Little Dude loves it already, and I am already planning to get these as baby shower presents for all my friends interested in baby wearing.
Yes, I am elated about my ring sling and so glad I took the chance to try one out!!
Well, I am excited to see what kinds of slings all of you babywearing bloggers out there have! As I am pretty new to the babywearing club, I only have two slings. They are both pouch type slings, one by Infantino that is perfect for a newborn until they can sit up/hold their head up very well. It is the black and white one draped over the chair in the pic below. It is super padded and comfy and Little Dude loved it until he was 2-3 months old and started wanting to be able to look around at stuff besides me.
My other one is a Buddy Sling that I got off ebay as my first experiement in babywearing. The stay at home mom that makes them started out her store on ebay, and made it just to my size and measurements. Now, 2.5 years later, she has her own store online! I also got the matching diaper bag, that I LOVE SO MUCH.
It is super soft cotton, (just like the sling), super easy to clean and throw in the wash and it has tons of pockets and hooks for keys, pacifiers, sippy cups and mommy stuff. I have been using it daily for almost 2 years now and you would never know it had been through so much wear! The diaper bag and sling are FABULOUSLY made. (The bag and sling look especially new after I wash them, so far nothing has stained them-I dunno if she put something on the fabric to help with that or if I have just been lucky).
Also, you cant tell in the picture, but I am almost 9 months pregnant and the sling still works for the hip carry because of how it was made to my height and torso measurements. Though now I can't carry for too long just because of JR weight and Little Dude weight together get me too tired!
I went with the pouch type again because I wanted something that I felt couldn't come undone. Since I did not know anyone In Real Life who used slings and could show me what to do with them, the pouch seemed the best way to start. As you can see in the pic below, my Little Dude still loves to be carried around in it.
I did get a hand made ring wrap as a baby shower present back before I even knew what babywearing was, but because I felt so uncomfortable trying to figure out how to use the wrap, and the girl that gave it to me had never used one, but had seen one in use and thought I would like it, I felt terribly uncomfortable about using it on my baby. The first time I tried using it with a doll I felt so awkward that I was sure I would drop Little Dude or end up smothering him, so I ended up giving the ring wrap to good will. I really regret that now, as I think that with some experience with the pouches and being able to find directions online in how to wrap, I would be able to do it and it probably would be a great one to have for discreet public nursing. Sigh. Live and learn.
The following slings are some I would like to try, but I may not get to buy one until after this baby comes and I find out how much I can keep working from home for Dakno. (hopefully I can fit a lot of work in, then I can justify splurging on some of these!)
Well, thanks Steph for getting us babywearing parents together to share our slings! Head on over the her site, Adventures in Babywearing, to see what other sling recommendations and products other Babywearers (is that a word?)have!
