Babywearing - High Back Carry with Mei Tai

I wish I'd have discovered this earlier! It's pretty neat - you tie the mei tai (BabyHawk) up high on your chest, and then the baby is high enough to see over your shoulder. It is definitely more wearing on you than having the weight on your hips, but not too bad. It gives you good posture, to boot!

Joseph really enjoyed it - we went for a little walk outside and then he "helped" me sweep and vacuum. We were both ready for him to get down after about 45 minutes, I think. I had it tied pretty tight, and it was a bit constricting on my diaphram - just like being pregnant again. Ha!

I'm wondering if people use this carry for a heavier child? Joseph is probably about 16 - 16.5lbs right now, so I wonder if most people can even get much use from this carry (old enough baby but light enough for comfort)? Would love any comments on that!

Ode To My Babyhawk

Oh Babyhawk
You are so pretty
You will match my brown boots and heels so nicely for fall
Your Amy Butler pattern is so mod and makes me smile
Even though the pocket makes gathers in the geometric pattern, it is still useful for holding my keys as we climb the stairs to the apartment
Your shoulder straps are nicely padded, and it's not hard to tie up at all!
Joseph sleeps in you, which makes you even more wonderful.

How could you be more perfect? I know not.

::smooches::
Jen

I *needed* it, so I got it.

The Baby Hawk, that is! I'm am beyond excited to receive this! It's a mei tai carrier - an Asian inspired carrier that consists of a square of fabric with "arms" and "legs" - you tie those around you and voila! Snug, happy baby! I love the pattern on this one, and it'll go w/ my brown stuff for fall. Convincing argument?

So with this addition, here's what we've got:

Moby: I still LOVE this wrap. It's almost like Joseph is back in my belly when I wear it. Now that it's a bit cooler, I've been using it a bit again, and Joseph is just snug as a bug in it. He loves it. Today I tried the back carry position, and did OK tying it for my first try, but I need to work on getting it tighter.

Ergo: This is my go-to carrier. It's quick, easy, and relatively cool. It is very backpacky and masculine, though. Joseph takes awesome (1.5-2 hour) naps in it on my back, and is such an observer when he's on my front out and about. If it was more stylish, I'd never want to own anything else. OK, that's not true, but I wouldn't *need* anything else!

Ring Sling: I got a solarveil (UV protection fabric) sling from Kim's Kreations on Etsy, and it is a great ring sling. I just don't really enjoy using them. They don't have the support at the waist that the other carriers have, and all the weight is on one shoulder. It was good for really hot days and when I didn't want to be so bulky, though.

Ellaroo Mei Hip: I have only tried this one a couple of times. I don't love it, yet, but I think I'll like it more as Joseph gets more independent. Right now we don't really care for hip carries.

I do love carriers with pockets - the ellaroo and ring sling don't have them and I definitely miss them. The moby doesn't have one, but you can tuck things into the crevices. If I had to choose just ONE, I'd go with the Ergo. If I could have 2, I'd add the moby.

Koala Mom

This morning I took Joseph to a "Koala Mom" meeting - it was babywearing nirvana! There were probably 15 babywearing moms at a big coffee shop, tons of different slings/wraps/carriers to try, and people willing to help you figure out any issues. It was pretty awesome. Several of the ladies in my regular mom's group were there, which was fun.

After attending the meeting, I've realize that I don't WANT a Baby Hawk, I NEED one. Need.

I am very needy these days.

Look how awesome I'd be (it comes with great hair and a rockin' bod, don't you know?):



ps. Isn't "Koala Mom" the cutest name for a babywearing group?

New Baby Carrier!

I went to a consignment sale today and got an awesome hip carrier for only $10! It retails for $85, so I got a great deal.

It's an Ellaroo Mei-Hip - here's the pattern:


And here is the carrier type (the above is a regular mei-tai)
I may have gotten $40 worth of clothes, too... all good deals!

New position in the Moby!

Now that Joseph has better head control, he can face out in the Moby! He really likes it since he gets an unobstructed view. I like it, too. We both seem to stay a bit more cool, and he fusses much less.

I am concerned that he's dangling from his crotch though versus the "sitting" position - it looks the same as with the bjorn. I'd tuck his legs in the lotus position, but he really likes them to be out. Any Moby mom's know if it's the same and/or safe for him? We usually don't stay in it this way more than 30 minutes anyway, since he tends to get tired out.

Grumpy Baby Walks

All the new things Joseph is learning and seeing has taken a toll on his psyche. He gets extremely irritable every few days. It mostly manifests itself in the evenings, and nothing cures it except a walk outside. The wind in his hair really gets him! Even when he's upset in the car if we roll down the windows it calms him some.

Luckily, both mama and baby enjoy the quiet walks, with Joseph all wrapped up in his Moby or slung in his ring sling. Hopefully as it gets hotter and he gets heavier we'll still be able to use this technique!

So far T.J. and I both really enjoy baby wearing. Besides it making Joseph happy (and frankly, nothing else matter when he won't stop crying!) it's pretty comfortable and easy to get around when he's just strapped to your body!

We've been all over the place in our baby-wearing devices. We have gone sight-seeing and to restaurants with the moby (also good for nursing), to IKEA, a bar (hehe - it was non-smoking) and various other errand running in the ring sling, and to Piedmont park in the Ergo.

A couple of weeks ago we purchased an infant car seat and snap'n'go for Joseph and my upcoming trip to Chicago/South Bend to see Teresa and Taylor. I figured that to get through the airport with Joseph, a car seat, and luggage I needed a stroller. Since we don't have one yet, this contraption seemed the best route. Anyway, since we had the "bucket seat" lying around, I carried it down to the garden (info re: garden in future posts) with Joseph in the ring sling so that he could sit comfortably while I worked. On the way back I carried him in it. Holy hell. They are so heavy - with or without a baby. I do not get how we see people walking around with these things constantly - with babies in them, no less.

I swear to you on all that is holy, baby wearing is so much easier if you don't have a medical reason not to do it. Really and truly. Plus, Joseph attracts all the ladies to him - he's usually the only baby NOT in a bucket with a shade covering him all up! I suppose some would consider that a downfall, but it's nice to have people stop and comment on how adorable he is!

I consider it a service to my fellow citizens to spread the cuteness of Joseph over the greater Atlanta area!

Moby wrap:

Ring Sling:


Ergo:

DomerBaby will have diapers!

Wow, I think I bought out the internet today!

We now will have a sufficient diaper stash to last us through at least 15 lbs, and I only need to add about 10 diapers to complete the 16-20lb stage. That should get us through year one (or beyond, if DomerBaby takes after T.J.!).

We have an assortment of prefolds, fitteds, pockets, and all-in-ones, so I'm sure we'll like *something* that we are using! Since the prefolds and fitteds make up the bulk of our stash, and they require covers, I finished stocking up on those, too.

I got two cute new Thirsties covers in red and melon, and a few plain white prowraps that are excellent for newborns because of the cord cut-out.

Besides diapers and covers, every CD'ing family needs a wet bag or two (for taking home wet nappies), a diaper pail and liner, wipes, and snappies. Snappies are those little three-pronged things pictured below. The ends have ace-bandage type claws that hold the diaper together, so you don't have to use PINS. Yey for my fingers!

I still have to make a bunch more wipes, make some larger sized diapers, and get a diaper pail and liner, but we're very close to done on the diaper business. So far I've spent a total of $309 on diapers and accessories.

That would get us about... 4-6 months of disposable diapering, I'd assume (not including the cost of disposable wipes). And I'm hoping that a lot of this will last through Baby #2 and beyond. Not a bad investment!

My major prize today though was an Ergo baby carrier - normally $105, I got it for $70! Yey for clearance! I got it in black and cranberry (this picture is all cranberry), and ordered an infant insert in a tan color so that it'll work from the time DomerBaby arrives. It is kind of back-pack like, you can wear it front or back actually. Look how happy we'll be!

Babywearing

Besides cloth diapering, my favorite baby-thing I've learned about is babywearing.

When you babywear, you use some sort of carrier/pouch/sling/wrap and put the baby on your front, back, or hip depending on the type of device, age of baby, and your/their preferences. There are TONS of different types available, but so far I'm most interested in pouches, slings, and wraps. The moby wrap in particular looks versatile and easy to use - and you can make one yourself REALLY easily!

Besides being cute and snuggly, there are lots of advantages to babywearing:

1. Babywearing is convenient - It keeps you "hands free" so you can get stuff done while meeting your baby's need to be held.

2. It makes for happier babies - Studies have shown that babies who are worn cry much less than other babies. I think that's enough right there to immediately sling your baby.

3. Wearing a baby promotes physical development - Babies are in tune with your heartbeat, breathing, and moving around. It helps develop their ability to control their own bodies!

4. Babywearing is good for adults - As baby gets bigger, you get stronger! It's much better exercise than pushing a stroller.

5. Babywearing is safe - it keeps your baby out of the hands of strangers, and decreases the likelyhood that a stranger will invade your baby's "Personal Space".