tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65530429129175963862024-03-13T08:53:00.634-07:00Babywearing it Up!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger88125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6553042912917596386.post-43162307573891046092013-10-10T22:39:00.001-07:002013-10-10T22:39:21.180-07:00My Back Carry Choices<p dir=ltr>There are so many great options for back carries...these are just the ones I happen to have in my stash. </p>
<p dir=ltr>The woven wrap looks like a Moby wrap but isn't stretchy. It was pricy used, but I can back carry from 6 weeks. A wrap is the easiest to make, just cutting and hemming, but has the biggest learning curve for use. The hardest part about sewing a wrap is finding a good fabric! It can't be stretchy for back carries, and thin cotton kind of digs into my shoulders. The wrap I purchased is a Didymos that is made of woven fabric. It is very soft and strong. Some people use linen and make their own, but I haven't.</p>
<p dir=ltr>My Beco carrier is what we use most for Levi right now. We bought it used for around $35, and it has been an excellent investment. It has virtually replaced our mei tais since buckles are faster than straps. Also it has padded straps...when I made my mei tais I didn't realize how much more comfortable padded or extra wide (4inch or wider!) straps were! </p>
<p dir=ltr>My mei tais were what we used for back carries before we had the woven wrap or Beco. They are great, versatile carriers. I used <a href="http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/asian.html">this tutorial </a>for my first one. It turned out pretty well, a bit wider than I wanted, and I angled the straps out a bit too much. Very usable but my second one was better. I have one a friend made based on my second one, I'd be happy to loan it to you for a few months if you'd like so you can try it out. It doesn't have padded shoulder straps, but I think that is the only change I'd make! You could easily add a few strips of fleece to the straps to add padding, if you wanted.</p>
<p dir=ltr>If you choose to buy instead, I've heard good things about <a href=": http://www.amazon.com/Infantino-Sash-Carrier-Black-Gray/dp/B005C9ODQ6/ref=pd_cp_ba_0">this one </a>and its pretty affordable comparatively.</p>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6553042912917596386.post-79999855912371080612011-10-10T21:31:00.000-07:002011-10-10T21:31:20.143-07:00Fleece No Sew Poncho<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/307217820/" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="undefined" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/307217820_1CkEOAO3_c.jpg" width="undefined" /></a></td></tr>
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Source: <a href="http://magiccityslingers.wordpress.com/2009/10/16/no-sew-babywearing-fleece-poncho-with-fringe-revised/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">magiccityslingers.wordpress.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/gnatgirl/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Natalie</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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Happy International Babywearing Week 2011! <br />
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Here is a great little tutorial for fall... a fleece, no sew babywearing poncho! I really want to try this... my usual go-to for cold weather babywearing is an extra large fleece zip up jacket... but this looks much cuter and more suited to back carries (I have to wear my fleece jacket backwards and have somebody else zip it up, so...).<br />
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Also, have you "liked" the blog on Facebook? Well, if you haven't and you want to, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Babywearing-it-Up/142517789145955#%21/pages/Babywearing-it-Up/142517789145955">here you go</a>!
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6553042912917596386.post-52365172455635538252011-08-31T21:21:00.000-07:002012-10-02T13:02:18.424-07:00Ring Sling Love<div>
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<img height="320" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-O2EED4TkKiU/Tl7gQQE7xcI/AAAAAAAABIY/bhs9dOG3dpA/1314840588149.png" width="100" /></div>
I love my ring slings! Right now I'm using them every day, with Levi, who is now almost four months (how?!) and eighteen pounds. :)<br />
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My ring slings are all DIY, but here are some available for purchase that I've heard great things about and feel comfortable recommending... feel free to share your favorites in the comments, too!<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000JT2UFK?ie=UTF8&tag=naddysblog-20&linkCode=shr&camp=213733&creative=393177&creativeASIN=B000JT2UFK&ref_=sr_1_5&s=baby-products&qid=1314850096&sr=1-5">Maya Wrap</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000JT2UFK/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=naddysblog-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=B000JT2UFK"><img border="0" class=" smhkjlugmteahnwvdjoi smhkjlugmteahnwvdjoi" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B000JT2UFK&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=naddysblog-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" /></a><img alt="" border="0" class=" smhkjlugmteahnwvdjoi smhkjlugmteahnwvdjoi" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B000JT2UFK&camp=217145&creative=399369" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" /><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Original-Maya-Wrap-Padded-Medium/dp/B001RMTM9U?ie=UTF8&tag=naddysblog-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="Original Maya Wrap Sling (Not Padded)-Medium -OLIVE GREEN" class=" smhkjlugmteahnwvdjoi smhkjlugmteahnwvdjoi smhkjlugmteahnwvdjoi smhkjlugmteahnwvdjoi smhkjlugmteahnwvdjoi smhkjlugmteahnwvdjoi smhkjlugmteahnwvdjoi smhkjlugmteahnwvdjoi" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B001RMTM9U&tag=naddysblog-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" class=" smhkjlugmteahnwvdjoi smhkjlugmteahnwvdjoi smhkjlugmteahnwvdjoi smhkjlugmteahnwvdjoi smhkjlugmteahnwvdjoi smhkjlugmteahnwvdjoi smhkjlugmteahnwvdjoi smhkjlugmteahnwvdjoi" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=naddysblog-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B001RMTM9U" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /><br />
<img alt="" border="0" class=" smhkjlugmteahnwvdjoi smhkjlugmteahnwvdjoi smhkjlugmteahnwvdjoi smhkjlugmteahnwvdjoi" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B000JT2UFK&camp=217145&creative=399369" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" />
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<a href="http://www.sakurabloom.com/categories/pure-collection/">Sakura Bloom</a><br />
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/56652894/" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img 554="" border="0" height="320" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/56652894_Xeo5fzJK_c.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/babyette">BabyEtte</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6553042912917596386.post-51106040858381595782011-07-02T16:03:00.000-07:002011-07-02T16:03:32.525-07:00Guest Post: Newborn Back Wrapping<photo 1="">I'm so thrilled to have Shannon guest posting on newborn back wrapping! Thank you, Shannon! </photo>Newborn backwrapping is definitely "advanced" babywearing, but with care and practice it can be so wonderful! I started back wrapping at 5 weeks or so with Levi, & we love it! :)<br />
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Wrapping a newborn baby on my back? Am I crazy? <br />
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While I love the snuggles I can get from wrapping my tiny baby on my front I also need the convenience of having my arms truly free to help my toddler and preschooler with basic tasks and not having to peer over and around the baby. For me, the safest place to put my baby in this situation is on my back.<br />
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Getting a newborn baby on your back is much easier than you think it is! One of the best things about wrapping such a small baby is their lack of mobility. Once you get them on your back they stay where you put them until you can get them securely wrapped up. <br />
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My favorite method for getting a tiny baby up onto your back in a wrap safely and easily is the Santa Toss method. A terrific video tutorial for this can be found here at the bottom of <a href="http://www.jeportemonbebe.com/fr/videos-jpmbb/toutes-les-videos-dos/">this page</a>. (Disclaimer: Yes, this is a stretchy wrap. Its a hybrid and one of only 2 brands I know of that are appropriate for back carrying in for experienced babywearers. For safety's sake though, please never back carry any size baby in a stretchy wrap!!!)<br />
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Once baby is safely on your back I like to position baby so that his or her head lays against the nape of my neck. I carry my own babies legs out in all carries right from birth so after baby is safely positioned I double check to make sure there is a good amount of wrap over baby's bottom. My preferred carry is the Reinforced Ruck as shown in<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2amR7Z6UwA"> this YouTube video</a>. </photo><br />
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As baby grows and I am able to start to spread the hips more I just reach up as I am making my reinforcing passes and spread the legs open by pushing up on the bottom of the feet. A snug wrap over them will help keep the legs positioned nice a spread. My own baby is now 4 months old and I still leave my passes open over her legs instead of crossing under them like I do with bigger babies.<br />
Getting the newborn baby off your back is done just the same as with bigger kids. I just unwrap all but the first pass over the baby and then shimmy baby into the crook of my arm and bring her around front. Here is a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=li52g75DrCc">video demonstrating this</a>.</photo></photo><br />
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<photo 1=""><photo 2=""> With a little bit of practice wearing small babies on your back should be just as easy (if not easier!) than wearing the big kids!</photo></photo><br />
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Shannon is the diaper sewing diva at <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.colordynamic.biz">Color Dynamic</a>, mom to 3 gorgeous girls and a Certified Babywearing Educator.<br />
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Wonderful! Thanks again Shannon!<br />
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So have you ever wrapped (front or back!) a newborn? Or would you like to learn? Or if you're a wrapper already, what are your favorite wrapping resources?<br />
<photo 1=""><photo 2=""> </photo></photo>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6553042912917596386.post-7717123217816170342011-05-24T21:01:00.000-07:002011-05-24T21:06:12.438-07:00Introducing... Levi!Thrilled to introduce Levi! 8lbs 8oz, born peacefully at home with the help of our much loved midwife. Enjoying lots of wearing and baby snuggling!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4kGznqCkW-w/TdhhP78G7cI/AAAAAAAABBE/MZZF_un2rcE/s1600/2011-05-16_09-35-09_161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4kGznqCkW-w/TdhhP78G7cI/AAAAAAAABBE/MZZF_un2rcE/s320/2011-05-16_09-35-09_161.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
{BabyEtte Sunayana Woven in Java}<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a0uCe6AXqcc/TdhhZyNp61I/AAAAAAAABBI/1mqUTqAyI88/s1600/051411130335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a0uCe6AXqcc/TdhhZyNp61I/AAAAAAAABBI/1mqUTqAyI88/s320/051411130335.jpg" width="316" /></a></div><br />
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/Moby-Wrap-Original-Carrier-Chocolate/dp/B000X4WORU?ie=UTF8&tag=naddysblog-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969">... in the Moby Wrap</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=naddysblog-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000X4WORU" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important; padding: 0px !important" /><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i0rxRRYF3ig/TdhhqATeHjI/AAAAAAAABBM/VTM0qUqAxcs/s1600/2011-05-16_09-12-49_495.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i0rxRRYF3ig/TdhhqATeHjI/AAAAAAAABBM/VTM0qUqAxcs/s320/2011-05-16_09-12-49_495.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6553042912917596386.post-49685359897423965292011-04-11T07:55:00.000-07:002011-04-11T08:28:59.354-07:00ring sling love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cMz6rnZeV9g/TaMWU72A2zI/AAAAAAAAA_8/cbVce-rP648/s1600/2011-04-11_09-48-49_843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cMz6rnZeV9g/TaMWU72A2zI/AAAAAAAAA_8/cbVce-rP648/s320/2011-04-11_09-48-49_843.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_1323025694"></span><span id="goog_1323025695"></span><br />
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Kiddo enjoying having her hands free to "grocery shop" while still taking her beloved Baby along. Do your little ones wear their dolls or toys? What do they use? (Scarves from the dress up bag are a very popular choice around here!)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6553042912917596386.post-63648760600897276522011-03-24T10:33:00.000-07:002011-03-24T10:33:37.628-07:00Babywearing SafetyFirst off, this is not safe babywearing:<br />
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<a href="http://failbook.failblog.org/2011/03/08/funny-facebook-fails-babysitter-fail/?utm_source=embed&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=sharewidget"><img alt="funny facebook fails - Babysitter FAIL" class="event-item-lol-image" height="671px" src="http://cheezfailbooking.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/funny-facebook-fails-babysitter-fail.jpg" title="funny facebook fails - Babysitter FAIL" width="500px" /></a><br />
see more <a href="http://failbook.failblog.org/?utm_source=embed&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=sharewidget">Failbook</a><br />
(Isn't that horribly disturbing?! Sorry...)<br />
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Second off, and much more cheerfully, I have a <a href="http://coleemmett.blogspot.com/2011/03/natalie-from-babywearing-it-up.html">guest post up today</a> at <a href="http://coleemmett.blogspot.com/">Cole's First Blog</a> on babywearing safety! Hop on over there and check it out. :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6553042912917596386.post-33305958817985130702011-02-21T15:53:00.000-08:002011-02-21T15:53:11.308-08:00Back carry, 31 weeks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CXEYe6MO1Fk/TWKKNpt5GHI/AAAAAAAAA_o/ph4Km4Lsm2g/s1600/31wks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CXEYe6MO1Fk/TWKKNpt5GHI/AAAAAAAAA_o/ph4Km4Lsm2g/s320/31wks.jpg" width="151" /></a></div>Pardon my windblown hair and her odd face (I think she wanted us to just get on with our walk and stop taking pictures!), but here I am, 31 weeks with #3, with my almost 2 year old on my back in a <a href="http://babywearingitup.blogspot.com/2010/05/about-podaegi.html">podaegi</a>. I find it most comfortable to tie my mei tais and podaegis above the belly during pregnancy, and was able to continue wearing through most of my last pregnancy. I did mostly back carries, and as one person pointed out "balanced myself out" with a baby on the front and a baby on the back. ;)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mk97d0p5gAk/TWKirygepCI/AAAAAAAAA_s/zGFlNNO1f8A/s1600/February+11+037+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mk97d0p5gAk/TWKirygepCI/AAAAAAAAA_s/zGFlNNO1f8A/s320/February+11+037+crop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Have you done any babywearing during pregnancy? What are your favorite carries/carriers/tips for that?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6553042912917596386.post-39790577650800075332011-02-18T08:22:00.000-08:002011-02-18T08:22:01.828-08:00Babywearing on a BudgetLet's be honest. Carriers can be expensive, and pretty much everyone has <a href="http://babywearingitup.blogspot.com/2011/02/wishlist.html">a wishlist</a>, right? Before you know it, you've moved on from eying a <a href="http://amzn.to/ibxyXw">Maya Wrap</a> doubtfully, wondering if it would really be worth the $50, to realizing that a good carrier is truly priceless and a good investment and thinking that it sounds like a bargain in exchange for hands free cuddle time and comfort as you go about your daily life.<br />
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But no matter how convinced you may be that a good carrier is worth the money, it doesn't really matter in the long run if you can't afford it. And, even though I think that babywearing is fantastic for you and your baby, I'm not going to recommend you go into debt to babywear!<br />
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Fortunately, there are alternatives... of course, I've sewn most of my carriers, as you can see by looking at my <a href="http://babywearingitup.blogspot.com/2010/04/diy-carrier-resources.html">DIY Carrier research page</a>, but not everyone can sew, or has access to a sewing machine.<br />
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So here are some simple, frugal, no sew babywearing options.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1NcRhZ7WQ68/S3rDHnp6E3I/AAAAAAAAAek/gCI_CMLg6UQ/s1600/oct+013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1NcRhZ7WQ68/S3rDHnp6E3I/AAAAAAAAAek/gCI_CMLg6UQ/s320/oct+013.jpg" width="240" /></a>First, a<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_450792578"> </a><a href="http://www.wearyourbaby.org/Default.aspx?tabid=121#MakeANoSewWrap">no sew wrap</a>. The page I link goes into how to select an appropriate fabric for a no sew wrap, and also talks about how if simple sewing is an option, you can select different fabrics and hem the wrap.<br />
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Here I am with my then 6 month old, using an unhemmed, uncut piece of cotton 5 1/2 yards long. I've since narrowed it and hemmed it, making two wraps from the fabric.<br />
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My guess is that each wrap cost me about $8.25, but it could be done for less if you found appropriate fabric for less.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QqVwDjDfxVI/S5bWro0sy7I/AAAAAAAAAk4/wmilqW71bSg/s1600/feb+10+030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QqVwDjDfxVI/S5bWro0sy7I/AAAAAAAAAk4/wmilqW71bSg/s320/feb+10+030.jpg" width="240" /></a>Occasionally, Walmart craft sections will have a $1/yd section, so you could make a wrap for as little as $5.50 (depending on the width of the fabric, possibly two, although I doubt much of that fabric is wide enough for that.) Frequently that fabric is ugly or poor quality, however- make sure you read over the page on <a href="http://www.wearyourbaby.org/Default.aspx?tabid=121#MakeANoSewWrap">how to choose fabrics</a> carefully before picking!<br />
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Alternatively, many fabric stores have frequent coupons good for one cut of fabric that can dramatically reduce your cost. Watching the sales is also a good tactic... I just got an email about a <a href="http://view.exacttarget.com/?j=fe5a1778756103747014&m=fef71c72756303&ls=fdee1676726006747c167576&l=fe8215797d6d0c7c7c&s=fe181676716c0774731d78&jb=ffcf14&ju=fe2517717d63067f701c76">sale at Hancock Fabric 2/17-2/20</a> that has a few fabrics 50% off.<br />
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If you use a sturdy, non stretchy fabric, you can also learn to back carry with your wrap! Learning to back wrap isn't always easy, but once you get it figured out it is great. Practice in front of a mirror with a doll or teddy bear to get the hang of it, then have a spotter or or maybe practice while sitting on a mattress the first few times.<br />
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For a comfortable longer wearing period, I love doing a back carry in a wrap! The <a href="http://www.granolababies.com/infant-back-wrap-cross-carry/info_12.html">back wrap cross carry</a> is my favorite~ I love <a href="http://www.thebabywearer.com/index.php?page=bwcccbinstructions">this version with a chest belt</a>.<br />
<br />
Stretchy wraps, while great for newborns (<a href="http://babywearingitup.blogspot.com/2010/08/moby-wrap-review.html">Moby Wrap review here</a>) are really <a href="http://babywearingitup.blogspot.com/2010/05/stretchy-wraps-and-limitations.html">NOT safe for back carries</a>. <br />
<br />
Whatever fabric you choose for your wrap, it's important to check for signs of wear regularly, like with any carrier, and make sure it's still sturdy and safe.<br />
<br />
While a wrap is the simplest carrier to make, I was surprised to find other choices for no sew carriers! On <a href="http://www.thebabywearer.com/">The Babywearer</a>'s great page on <a href="http://www.thebabywearer.com/lists/Sewing.htm">sewing and improvising baby carriers</a>, I found a link to Jan Andrea's <a href="http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/no_sew.html">No- Sew Ring Sling</a>, as well as a no sew <a href="http://www.gypsymama.com/sew_poncho.htm">babywearing poncho</a> that I would love to try out myself. <br />
<br />
For purchased carriers on a budget, you can check consignment events (I saw a <a href="http://amzn.to/ibxyXw">Maya Wrap</a> at the last one I was at for about $25), the FSOT forums on <a href="http://www.thebabywearer.com/">The Babywearer</a>, or buy an <a href="http://amzn.to/hQkitG">Infantino Wrap and Tie</a> (their version of the mei tai) for $30. Generally Infantino has a bad reputation in the babywearing community but it seems that the <a href="http://amzn.to/hQkitG">Wrap and Tie</a> is a good carrier since many people really like theirs, and that is considerably less expensive than most mei tais. <br />
<br />
I don't recommend getting a cheap structured carrier like <a href="http://amzn.to/g3IIMQ">this</a>, or a Seven Sling (<a href="http://soozenw.blogspot.com/2010/09/review-of-new-seven-sling.html">check out this review</a>), however... short term savings aren't worth it for a carrier that won't be comfortable, durable, and versatile. As your grandmother might have said, that's "bad economy." ;)<br />
<img alt="" border="0" class=" ehyrxfeegtafwhxyusgy ehyrxfeegtafwhxyusgy ehyrxfeegtafwhxyusgy ehyrxfeegtafwhxyusgy" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=naddysblog-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0036LMH5Q" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" /><br />
<br />
Have you made a no sew carrier? Or know of a great tutorial for one? What are your tips for babywearing on a budget?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6553042912917596386.post-40681344151741107052011-02-09T09:15:00.000-08:002011-02-10T15:55:19.461-08:00Good Positioning Matters!I think the number one problem people have with babywearing (besides not having a good carrier to start out with, in many cases!) is not having correct positioning. That can make even a fantastic carrier uncomfortable for the wearer, and uncomfortable or even unsafe for your little passenger.<br />
<br />
Slingbabies has a very comprehensive page on <span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.slingbabies.co.nz/Site/Positioning_2.ashx">The Importance of Positioning in a Carrier</a> that really covers not just how to position, but why certain positions (and carriers) are not ideal for babies spines. Here are their top three essential aspects of positioning, but the whole thing is a great read:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<ol><li><blockquote><span style="font-size: medium;"> Baby's legs should always be in a <b>frog position</b>, bottom down knees up, straddling you, with legs up at a 90° angle to the spine. (except for in cradle carries) This is the <b>best</b>, most correct and most desirable position for baby. <span style="font-size: x-small;">[later it is noted that "</span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">before they are approx 11-12 weeks old, babies' legs are better to be tucked inside the carrier, up underneath them as they would be when you hold them in-arms."]</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></blockquote></li>
<li><blockquote><span style="font-size: medium;"> Baby should be <b>high and snug</b> in any carrier. </span></blockquote></li>
<li><blockquote><span style="font-size: medium;"> A good baby carrier will <b>mimic the way you hold baby naturally</b> in your arms.</span></blockquote></li>
</ol><span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<br />
I know that having these three top tips summarized for me was really helpful, especially thinking through helping new mamas babywear at first! Wish I'd read this before I started babywearing... it would have made it clear faster that my heavily padded, barely adjustable sling was not a good carrier, and maybe sped me on in getting a really good ring sling, which made a huge difference with my second baby!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JO_fvoMYRCc/S1CoujKlGJI/AAAAAAAAAYw/hlmuqfR888Q/s1600/09+349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JO_fvoMYRCc/S1CoujKlGJI/AAAAAAAAAYw/hlmuqfR888Q/s320/09+349.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close enough to kiss...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6553042912917596386.post-58905373845874514062011-02-05T09:04:00.000-08:002011-02-05T09:14:37.995-08:00Wishlist...Is it just me, or is there always another carrier that looks really appealing? Always one more to try? :)<br />
<br />
Here are my "wish" carriers right now...<br />
<br />
<ul><li>I have a green <a href="http://amzn.to/c5mM4A">Moby Wrap</a>, but I'd love to have a black one that would be slightly dressier and go with more of my dress clothes. Of course, a </li>
</ul><br />
<ul><li>Woven wrap is also on my wish list, so maybe a black woven would be a better investment. Hmm.</li>
</ul><br />
<ul><li><a href="http://amzn.to/hL0OeT">ERGObaby carrier</a>. A very few people have expressed that they don't like this carrier because they're short/have a short torso (and I'm 5' 3", so that does make me wonder if I'd like it), but the overwhelming consensus seems to be that most babywearers love their <a href="http://amzn.to/hL0OeT">ERGO</a>. So I'd like to try one, especially as I've never tried a structured carrier. </li>
</ul><br />
<ul><li>Wrap-tie or wrap-pod. I have mei tais, and podaegis, but frequently after periods of extended wear the straps become uncomfortable on my shoulders. I've thought about adding padding, but I think I would prefer one with wrap straps as I'm sure that would fix that issue, and combine the ease of a mei tai or podaegi back carry with the comfort and versatility of a wrap. The <a href="http://amzn.to/gVIv21">Maya Tie</a> looks good, but since I've sewn myself several mei tais I'd probably just make a wrap tie myself since it wouldn't be much different to sew.</li>
</ul>What is your stash wish list? Or is your stash complete? :)<br />
<br />
Edited to add... if the ERGO is on your wishlist, too, here are a couple of current giveaways going on...<br />
<ul><li><a href="http://www.diaryofadevildogwife.com/2011/02/lets-celebrate-ergobaby-giveaway.html">Diary of a Devil Dog Wife: ERGO giveaway (ends 2/15/2011) </a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.blogger.com/%20http://dirtytruthreviews.blogspot.com/2011/01/ergo-baby-carrier-review-giveaway.html">Dirty Truth Reviews ERGO giveaway (<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span class="550031321-20102010">ends 2/16/2011)</span></span></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.thriftyandchicmom.com/2011/02/ergo-baby-carrier-valentines-day-giveaway-ends-217/comment-page-4/#comment-150761"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span class="550031321-20102010">Thrifty and Chic Mom ERGO giveaway (ends </span></span></span>2/17/2011)</a></li>
</ul>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6553042912917596386.post-43891119521421020752011-01-14T08:29:00.000-08:002011-01-14T08:29:54.960-08:00Nigerian Babies in 1931... I've been reading '<a href="http://amzn.to/gpvaEQ">Infant Potty Training: A Gentle and Primeval Method Adapted to Modern Living</a>' in preparation for our next baby (#3, expected April/May), and have been fascinated with the last section that looks at babies around the world. Of course, their focus is on the pottying of the babies but since many of the same cultures wear their babies there are lots of little glimpses into that. <br />
<br />
Here is a passage from field research conducted on the topic of native life among the Dahomey (in Nigeria) during a period of five months in 1931...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.nationalgeographic.com/wpf/media-live/photos/000/027/cache/nigeria_2734_600x450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://images.nationalgeographic.com/wpf/media-live/photos/000/027/cache/nigeria_2734_600x450.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Beautiful photo from National Geographic, <a href="http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/countries/nigeria-guide/">here</a></span></div><br />
<br />
"Returning now to a consideration of the development of the normal child, it is to be observed that very young children are carried most of the time on the backs of their mothers or, in rare instances, of nurses. Unless prevented by special circumstances, a mother takes her baby with her wherever she goes, and women may be seen selling in the market, carrying burdens on the road, working in the fields, or dancing in ceremonial dances with their infants straddling their backs." (page 410 of IPT)<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BD788Ai7nGs/Soc6NM_y3vI/AAAAAAAAAos/-Csf6jyZRRo/s400/nigeria2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BD788Ai7nGs/Soc6NM_y3vI/AAAAAAAAAos/-Csf6jyZRRo/s320/nigeria2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">found via image search <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BD788Ai7nGs/Soc6NM_y3vI/AAAAAAAAAos/-Csf6jyZRRo/s400/nigeria2.jpg">here</a>, can't figure out from where to give credit... </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">if anyone knows where it is from please let me know!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I think that in both of these photos they're wearing their babies with a <a href="http://magiccityslingers.wordpress.com/2007/06/12/can-you-kanga-yes-you-can/">Kanga</a>... what do you think, babywearers?</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6553042912917596386.post-91228123012188278632010-12-17T08:12:00.000-08:002010-12-17T08:12:59.036-08:00Last Minute Christmas Shopping? ;)<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mother-Father-Brother-African-American/dp/B0007UB5X4?ie=UTF8&tag=naddysblog-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="Mother, Father, Baby, Sister and Brother Loving Family Doll Set African American" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B0007UB5X4&tag=naddysblog-20" /></a><br />
<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=naddysblog-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0007UB5X4" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /><br />
<br />
<br />
Loving that both parents are babywearing! If you don't want the whole set, you can snag yourself just the babywearing daddy, too:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Loving-Family-Baby-African-American-Dolls/dp/B00004TQ50?ie=UTF8&tag=naddysblog-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="Loving Family Dad and Baby African-American Dolls" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B00004TQ50&tag=naddysblog-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=naddysblog-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B00004TQ50" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /><br />
<br />
Or you can check out child slings and carriers:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Snuggy-Baby-Childs-Sling-Carrier/dp/B004C1ZRDI?ie=UTF8&tag=naddysblog-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="Snuggy Baby Child's Doll Sling Baby Doll Carrier - Mod Dots" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B004C1ZRDI&tag=naddysblog-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=naddysblog-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B004C1ZRDI" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Moby-Wrap-Mini-Carrier-Indigo/dp/B003BIF012?ie=UTF8&tag=naddysblog-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="Moby Wrap Mini Moby Kids Doll Toy Carrier, Indigo" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B003BIF012&tag=naddysblog-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=naddysblog-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B003BIF012" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /><br />
Or books!<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Carry-Me-Animal-Babies-Move/dp/1561454494?ie=UTF8&tag=naddysblog-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="Carry Me! Animal Babies on the Move" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=1561454494&tag=naddysblog-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=naddysblog-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1561454494" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ride-Mothers-Back-Carrying-around/dp/0152008705?ie=UTF8&tag=naddysblog-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="A Ride on Mother's Back: A Day of Baby Carrying around the World" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0152008705&tag=naddysblog-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=naddysblog-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0152008705" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /><br />
<br />
Or (and I think this is my favorite! Wish I'd seen this earlier!) a beautiful babywearing fair trade doll sling and baby!<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fair-Trade-Doll-Sling-Baby/dp/B004D59M0C?ie=UTF8&tag=naddysblog-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="Fair Trade Doll Sling and Baby - Mango Sorbet Colors" height="400" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B004D59M0C&tag=naddysblog-20" width="327" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=naddysblog-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B004D59M0C" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /><br />
<br />
It would also be simple and inexpensive to make a child a wrap or sling, or accessorize dolls they already have with them. <br />
<br />
Merry Christmas and Happy Babywearing! :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6553042912917596386.post-59320589472998167822010-11-18T08:59:00.000-08:002010-11-18T09:02:48.022-08:00Babywearing While Traveling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JO_fvoMYRCc/TOU68m07YUI/AAAAAAAAA8A/PVJJYmwlbB8/s1600/ft+worth+mall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JO_fvoMYRCc/TOU68m07YUI/AAAAAAAAA8A/PVJJYmwlbB8/s320/ft+worth+mall.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We just got home from a fun trip out of town... here we all are babywearing at the mall! Front to back: my handsome husband wearing our 2 1/2 year old son in a DIY mei tai, me (17 weeks pregnant) wearing our 18 month old daughter in a DIY non stretchy wrap!<br />
<br />
We ended up going up and down several escalators and a flight of stairs, so we were very glad to be babywearing. Also, three different people stopped us to ask about our carriers!<br />
<br />
For new visitors, note the tabs above with some helpful resources for getting started babywearing... and of course feel free to ask any questions either here in the comments or via <a href="mailto:babywearingitup@gmail.com">email</a>!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Moby-Wrap-Baby-Carrier-Olive/dp/B001FY6NOM?ie=UTF8&tag=naddysblog-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=naddysblog-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B001FY6NOM" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6553042912917596386.post-9829376979138798952010-10-27T08:27:00.000-07:002010-10-27T09:06:51.469-07:00If you're a beginner...here are some tips from experienced babywearers that may be helpful...<br />
<br />
I said... "working on post for beginners on <a class=" twitter-hashtag" href="http://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23babywearing" rel="nofollow" title="#babywearing">#babywearing</a>... what tips would you give someone just starting out?"<br />
<table><tbody>
<tr class="tt1"><td valign="middle"><br />
</td><td class="tfall tf1" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="userinfo" id="userinfo0" style="display: none; z-index: 1000;"><table class="info"><tbody>
<tr><td align="right">Name:</td><td align="left">Tristina</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Location:</td><td align="left">Atlanta</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Description:</td><td align="left">New Momma, new wife, sister, aunt, friend. Blogger. Babywearer. Creative genius. DIY wannabe. Thinker. Procrastinator. Writer. Sleep-deprived. Happy.</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">URL:</td><td align="left">mrandmrswright.com/</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Followers:</td><td align="left">221</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><span class="source"><i></i></span><span id="tweet0" style="display: none;">@tea4tamara @babywearingitup I know! I had that issue, though. So I walked around with her to get her used to it and THEN admired myself!</span></td></tr>
<tr class="tt2"><td valign="middle"><img border="0" height="48" id="thumb0" src="http://a2.twimg.com/profile_images/1087913546/oooh_normal.jpg" usemap="#pimoyj0" valign="middle" width="48" /><br />
<div class="userinfo" id="userinfo0" style="display: none; z-index: 1000;"><table class="info"><tbody>
<tr><td align="right">Name:</td><td align="left">Emily</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Location:</td><td align="left">Texas</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Description:</td><td align="left">I look on the bright side.</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">URL:</td><td align="left">www.flickr.com/photo…</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Followers:</td><td align="left">82</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div></td><td class="tfall tf2" valign="top" width="100%"><a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/emilye"><b>emilye</b></a>: If you can't figure a carrier out, don't just give up & throw in the towel. Seek help from a babywearing group!</td></tr>
<tr class="tt1"><td valign="middle"><map name="tkpwvq2"><area alt="ReTweet" coords="0,0,24,24" shape="rect" title="ReTweet"></area><area alt="Add to Favorites" coords="25,0,48,24" shape="rect" title="Add to Favorites"></area><area alt="User Controls" coords="0,25,24,48" shape="rect" title="User Controls"></area><area coords="25,25,48,48" shape="rect" title="tristina_wright's archive"></area></map><img border="0" height="48" id="thumb2" src="http://a1.twimg.com/profile_images/1148986053/045_normal.jpg" usemap="#tkpwvq2" valign="middle" width="48" /></td><td class="tfall tf1" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="userinfo" id="userinfo2" style="display: none; z-index: 1000;"><table class="info"><tbody>
<tr><td align="right">Name:</td><td align="left">Tristina</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Location:</td><td align="left">Atlanta</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Description:</td><td align="left">New Momma, new wife, sister, aunt, friend. Blogger. Babywearer. Creative genius. DIY wannabe. Thinker. Procrastinator. Writer. Sleep-deprived. Happy.</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">URL:</td><td align="left">mrandmrswright.com/</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Followers:</td><td align="left">221</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><a class="twt" href="http://twitter.com/#%21/tristina_wright" title="click to toggle between @ reply / direct message"><b>tristina_wright</b></a>: Walk and bounce immediately. Don't stand there admiring yourself in the mirror. Baby will get fussy. <span class="source"></span><span id="tweet2" style="display: none;">@babywearingitup Walk and bounce immediately. Don't stand there admiring yourself in the mirror. Baby will get fussy. #babywearing</span></td></tr>
<tr class="tt2"><td valign="middle"><map name="tkpwvq3"><area alt="ReTweet" coords="0,0,24,24" shape="rect" title="ReTweet"></area><area alt="Add to Favorites" coords="25,0,48,24" shape="rect" title="Add to Favorites"></area><area alt="User Controls" coords="0,25,24,48" shape="rect" title="User Controls"></area><area coords="25,25,48,48" shape="rect" title="tea4tamara's archive"></area></map><img border="0" height="48" id="thumb3" src="http://a2.twimg.com/profile_images/1147616018/s796245012_4332778_8055_normal.jpg" usemap="#tkpwvq3" valign="middle" width="48" /></td><td class="tfall tf2" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="userinfo" id="userinfo3" style="display: none; z-index: 1000;"><table class="info"><tbody>
<tr><td align="right">Name:</td><td align="left">Tamara of Daisy Days</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Location:</td><td align="left">Hamilton, Ontario</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Description:</td><td align="left">Mama by day, entrepreneur by night. Sleep deprived 24-7. Owner of Daisy Days, babywearing enthusiast, co-sleeping, breastfeeding mother of one (soon to be two!)</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">URL:</td><td align="left">www.daisydays.ca</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Followers:</td><td align="left">519</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><a href="http://twitter.com/tea4tamara"><b>tea4tamara</b></a>: Sometimes babies fuss at first. Practice when they aren't hungry or tired. Once baby is in the carrier, get moving! :)<span class="source"></span><span id="tweet3" style="display: none;">@babywearingitup Sometimes babies fuss at first. Practice when they aren't hungry or tired. Once baby is in the carrier, get moving! :)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td align="right">Name:</td><td align="left">Katey Riera</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Location:</td><td align="left">Del-a.. where??</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Description:</td><td align="left">Aspiring Doula/Midwife~Christian~{Love God & my Hubby! :)}~Military Wife~Dog & Hedgehog Mama ;)~Nanny~Babywearer~Vegetarian~No 'Poo~Reader~Writer~Crafty~ME! :)</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">URL:</td><td align="left">N/A</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Followers:</td><td align="left">37</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><a class="twt" href="http://twitter.com/#%21/Kt_Ri" title="click to toggle between @ reply / direct message"><b>Kt_Ri</b></a>: experiment without a baby first, use a mirror & relax so the baby can too :)<span class="source"><i></i></span><span id="tweet5" style="display: none;">@babywearingitup: experiment without a baby first, use a mirror & relax so the baby can too :) #babywearing</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td align="right">Name:</td><td align="left">Emily </td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Location:</td><td align="left">CA</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Description:</td><td align="left">Navy wife blogging my trials and errors into the domestic domain - recipes, crafts, decor, gardening</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">URL:</td><td align="left">www.joyfulabode.com/</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Followers:</td><td align="left">8083</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/JoyfulAbode"><b>JoyfulAbode</b>:</a> if possible find a #<a class="twt" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=6553042912917596386&postID=982937697913879895" title="babywearing">babywearing</a> "mentor" locally. If not, YouTube vids are your friend. Also if they don't like one style it doesn't mean they don't like #<a class="twt" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=6553042912917596386&postID=982937697913879895" title="babywearing">babywearing</a>. They should try other styles of carriers before giving up on it. <br />
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<tr><td align="right">Name:</td><td align="left">Emily </td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Location:</td><td align="left">CA</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Description:</td><td align="left">Navy wife blogging my trials and errors into the domestic domain - recipes, crafts, decor, gardening</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">URL:</td><td align="left">www.joyfulabode.com/</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Followers:</td><td align="left">8083</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><span class="source"></span><span id="tweet6" style="display: none;">@babywearingitup <it #babywearing.="" before="" carriers="" doesn="" don="" giving="" it.="" like="" mean="" of="" on="" other="" should="" styles="" t="" they="" try="" up=""></it></span></td></tr>
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<div class="userinfo" id="userinfo0" style="display: none; z-index: 1000;"><table class="info"><tbody>
<tr><td align="right">Name:</td><td align="left">Mama up!</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Location:</td><td align="left">Texas</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Description:</td><td align="left">AP. BF. CD. ERF. Who knew my motherhood would have so many acronyms!</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">URL:</td><td align="left">N/A</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Followers:</td><td align="left">431</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><a class="twt" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=6553042912917596386" title="click to toggle between @ reply / direct message"><b> posielove</b></a>: <a class="twt" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=6553042912917596386" title="babywearingitup"></a> Don't give up just bc baby fusses in beginning. It's new and takes practice! <span class="source"><i></i></span><span id="tweet0" style="display: none;">@babywearingitup Don't give up just bc baby fusses in beginning. It's new and takes practice!</span></td></tr>
<tr class="tt2"><td valign="middle"><map name="ovkxox1"><area alt="ReTweet" coords="0,0,24,24" shape="rect" title="ReTweet"></area><area alt="Add to Favorites" coords="25,0,48,24" shape="rect" title="Add to Favorites"></area><area alt="User Controls" coords="0,25,24,48" shape="rect" title="User Controls"></area><area coords="25,25,48,48" shape="rect" title="SoleilSelene's archive"></area></map><img border="0" height="48" id="thumb1" src="http://a3.twimg.com/profile_images/1137490155/Leilani_normal.jpg" usemap="#ovkxox1" valign="middle" width="48" /><a class="twt" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=6553042912917596386" title="click to toggle between @ reply / direct message"><b>SoleilSelene</b></a>: don't get a Bjorn! =) </td><td class="tfall tf2" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="userinfo" id="userinfo1" style="display: none; z-index: 1000;"><table class="info"><tbody>
<tr><td align="right">Name:</td><td align="left">Leilani</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Location:</td><td align="left">SF Bay Area</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Description:</td><td align="left">Breastfeeding, babywearing, co-sleeping, cloth diapering mommy of two girls. wife. college student. special ed paraeducator. blogger. www.thecakeathomemom.com</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">URL:</td><td align="left">www.soleilselene.com</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Followers:</td><td align="left">829</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><span class="source"><i></i></span></td><td class="tfall tf2" valign="top" width="100%"><span class="source"><i> </i></span><span id="tweet1" style="display: none;">@babywearingitup don't get a Bjorn! =)</span></td></tr>
<tr class="tt1"><td valign="middle"><map name="ovkxox2"><area alt="ReTweet" coords="0,0,24,24" shape="rect" title="ReTweet"></area><area alt="Add to Favorites" coords="25,0,48,24" shape="rect" title="Add to Favorites"></area><area alt="User Controls" coords="0,25,24,48" shape="rect" title="User Controls"></area><area coords="25,25,48,48" shape="rect" title="AVPH's archive"></area></map><img border="0" height="48" id="thumb2" src="http://a3.twimg.com/profile_images/1142597535/halloween_normal.jpg" usemap="#ovkxox2" valign="middle" width="48" /><a class="twt" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=6553042912917596386" title="click to toggle between @ reply / direct message"><b>AVPH</b></a>: don't give up. If one carrier doesn't work then try try again!</td><td class="tfall tf1" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="userinfo" id="userinfo2" style="display: none; z-index: 1000;"><table class="info"><tbody>
<tr><td align="right">Name:</td><td align="left">Amanda Hunterson</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Location:</td><td align="left">San Francisco, CA, USA</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Description:</td><td align="left">Mother to a daughter, PR Friendly, I have a Toddler! Also on the web at www.amanicmind.com</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">URL:</td><td align="left">www.arabellasblog.com</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Followers:</td><td align="left">305</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div> <span class="source"><i></i></span><span id="tweet2" style="display: none;">@babywearingitup don't give up. If one carrier doesn't work then try try again!</span></td></tr>
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<tr class="tt1"><td valign="middle"><map name="ovkxox4"><area alt="ReTweet" coords="0,0,24,24" shape="rect" title="ReTweet"></area><area alt="Add to Favorites" coords="25,0,48,24" shape="rect" title="Add to Favorites"></area><area alt="User Controls" coords="0,25,24,48" shape="rect" title="User Controls"></area><area coords="25,25,48,48" shape="rect" title="hollinsgirl7's archive"></area></map><img border="0" height="48" id="thumb4" src="http://a2.twimg.com/profile_images/1122733794/Photo_4_normal.jpg" usemap="#ovkxox4" valign="middle" width="48" /><a class="twt" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=6553042912917596386" title="click to toggle between @ reply / direct message"><b>hollinsgirl7</b></a>: Watch YouTube videos or hook up with a group. Seeing it done makes it easier to do and then practice, practice, practice.</td><td class="tfall tf1" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="userinfo" id="userinfo4" style="display: none; z-index: 1000;"><table class="info"><tbody>
<tr><td align="right">Name:</td><td align="left">Martha L. Coleman</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Location:</td><td align="left">Lufkin, TX</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Description:</td><td align="left">Just a librarian balancing being a first-time mom, wife, and working full-time. Working on becoming an active lactavist.</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">URL:</td><td align="left">martha-mommy-to-be.b…</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Followers:</td><td align="left">36</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div> <span class="source"><i></i></span><span id="tweet4" style="display: none;">@babywearingitup Watch YouTube videos or hook up with a group. Seeing it done makes it easier to do and then practice, practice, practice.</span></td></tr>
<tr class="tt2"><td valign="middle"><map name="ovkxox5"><area alt="ReTweet" coords="0,0,24,24" shape="rect" title="ReTweet"></area><area alt="Add to Favorites" coords="25,0,48,24" shape="rect" title="Add to Favorites"></area><area alt="User Controls" coords="0,25,24,48" shape="rect" title="User Controls"></area><area coords="25,25,48,48" shape="rect" title="MamanADroit's archive"></area></map><img border="0" height="48" id="thumb5" src="http://a1.twimg.com/profile_images/679881857/Triple_Dogwood_normal.jpg" usemap="#ovkxox5" valign="middle" width="48" /><a class="twt" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=6553042912917596386" title="click to toggle between @ reply / direct message"><b>MamanADroit</b></a>: glossary! I didn't really know anyone who use baby carriers & didn't know lingo at all-like what's an SSC? or front vs back vs hip carries, or mei teis vs woven wraps. It can be confusing for newbies! </td><td class="tfall tf2" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="userinfo" id="userinfo5" style="display: none; z-index: 1000;"><table class="info"><tbody>
<tr><td align="right">Name:</td><td align="left">MamanADroit</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Location:</td><td align="left">Midwest, USA</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Description:</td><td align="left">I'm a conservative Catholic Mommy!</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">URL:</td><td align="left">N/A</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Followers:</td><td align="left">167</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><span class="source"><i></i></span><span id="tweet5" style="display: none;">@babywearingitup glossary! I didn't really know anyone who use baby carriers & didn't know lingo at all-like what's an SSC?</span></td></tr>
<tr class="tt1"><td valign="middle"><map name="ovkxox6"><area alt="ReTweet" coords="0,0,24,24" shape="rect" title="ReTweet"></area><area alt="Add to Favorites" coords="25,0,48,24" shape="rect" title="Add to Favorites"></area><area alt="User Controls" coords="0,25,24,48" shape="rect" title="User Controls"></area><area coords="25,25,48,48" shape="rect" title="momnonymous's archive"></area></map><img border="0" height="48" id="thumb6" src="http://a0.twimg.com/profile_images/1107241672/awesomemom_normal.jpg" usemap="#ovkxox6" valign="middle" width="48" /><a class="twt" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=6553042912917596386" title="click to toggle between @ reply / direct message"><b>momnonymous</b></a>: Your baby may fuss the first time or two, but patting his butt through the carrier will help him relax! </td><td class="tfall tf1" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="userinfo" id="userinfo6" style="display: none; z-index: 1000;"><table class="info"><tbody>
<tr><td align="right">Name:</td><td align="left">Momnonymous</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Location:</td><td align="left">The Nursery</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Description:</td><td align="left">new SAHM. breastfeeding. babywearing. cloth diapering. cosleeping. pro-vax. devout Catholic. republican. margarita lover. coffee drinker. football widow.</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">URL:</td><td align="left">N/A</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Followers:</td><td align="left">89</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><span class="source"><i></i></span><span id="tweet6" style="display: none;">@babywearingitup Your baby may fuss the first time or two, but patting his butt through the carrier will help him relax!</span></td></tr>
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<tr class="tt1"><td valign="middle"><map name="ovkxox8"><area alt="ReTweet" coords="0,0,24,24" shape="rect" title="ReTweet"></area><area alt="Add to Favorites" coords="25,0,48,24" shape="rect" title="Add to Favorites"></area><area alt="User Controls" coords="0,25,24,48" shape="rect" title="User Controls"></area><area coords="25,25,48,48" shape="rect" title="kykaree's archive"></area></map><img border="0" height="48" id="thumb8" src="http://a3.twimg.com/profile_images/1138780835/twitav_normal.jpg" usemap="#ovkxox8" valign="middle" width="48" /><a class="twt" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=6553042912917596386" title="click to toggle between @ reply / direct message"><b>kykaree</b></a>: seek help, find slingmeets or a babywearing mum, don't just buy something on the internet and struggle alone </td><td class="tfall tf1" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="userinfo" id="userinfo8" style="display: none; z-index: 1000;"><table class="info"><tbody>
<tr><td align="right">Name:</td><td align="left">Kylie Hodges </td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Location:</td><td align="left">Manchester, England</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Description:</td><td align="left">Mum to Joseph born at 27 weeks, babywearing advocate for ongoing kangaroo care</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">URL:</td><td align="left">notevena.blogspot.com/</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Followers:</td><td align="left">316</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><span class="source"><i></i></span><span id="tweet8" style="display: none;">@babywearingitup seek help, find slingmeets or a babywearing mum, don't just buy something on the internet and struggle alone</span></td></tr>
<tr class="tt2"><td valign="middle"><map name="ovkxox9"><area alt="ReTweet" coords="0,0,24,24" shape="rect" title="ReTweet"></area><area alt="Add to Favorites" coords="25,0,48,24" shape="rect" title="Add to Favorites"></area><area alt="User Controls" coords="0,25,24,48" shape="rect" title="User Controls"></area><area coords="25,25,48,48" shape="rect" title="sheaisawesome's archive"></area></map><img border="0" height="48" id="thumb9" src="http://a2.twimg.com/profile_images/1099101158/CIMG0208_edit_normal.jpg" usemap="#ovkxox9" valign="middle" width="48" /><a class="twt" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=6553042912917596386" title="click to toggle between @ reply / direct message"><b>sheaisawesome</b></a>: ignore all the haters and weird looks. It's what's best for your baby and that's all that matters </td><td class="tfall tf2" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="userinfo" id="userinfo9" style="display: none; z-index: 1000;"><table class="info"><tbody>
<tr><td align="right">Name:</td><td align="left">Shea Posey</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Location:</td><td align="left">Whitley City, KY</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Description:</td><td align="left">Wife of an OIF Vet, mom to a crazy 2 year old, one on the way and a pretty badass human!</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">URL:</td><td align="left">myinnervoiceyelling.…</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Followers:</td><td align="left">157</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><span class="source"><i></i></span><span id="tweet9" style="display: none;">@babywearingitup ignore all the haters and weird looks. It's what's best for your baby and that's all that matters</span></td></tr>
<tr class="tt1"><td valign="middle"><br />
</td><td class="tfall tf1" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="userinfo" id="userinfo10" style="display: none; z-index: 1000;"><table class="info"><tbody>
<tr><td align="right">Name:</td><td align="left">Jen Boss</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Location:</td><td align="left">Jen Boss | Minneapolis </td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Description:</td><td align="left">urban hippy, food, life, health, kids, baby, organic, local, food blogging, family blog, preschool</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">URL:</td><td align="left">foodmoneytimehealth.…</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Followers:</td><td align="left">253</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><span id="tweet10" style="display: none;">@babywearingitup Also. It pays off for when they are mobile. Keeps them safe and near.</span></td></tr>
<tr class="tt2"><td valign="middle"><map name="ovkxox11"><area alt="ReTweet" coords="0,0,24,24" shape="rect" title="ReTweet"></area><area alt="Add to Favorites" coords="25,0,48,24" shape="rect" title="Add to Favorites"></area><area alt="User Controls" coords="0,25,24,48" shape="rect" title="User Controls"></area><area coords="25,25,48,48" shape="rect" title="smola04's archive"></area></map><img border="0" height="48" id="thumb11" src="http://a1.twimg.com/profile_images/871637449/twitterProfilePhoto_normal.jpg" usemap="#ovkxox11" valign="middle" width="48" /><a class="twt" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=6553042912917596386" title="click to toggle between @ reply / direct message"><b>smola04</b></a>: practice carries on your bed so if baby falls, it's not a crisis. :) </td><td class="tfall tf2" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="userinfo" id="userinfo11" style="display: none; z-index: 1000;"><table class="info"><tbody>
<tr><td align="right">Name:</td><td align="left">Sara Eiser</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Location:</td><td align="left">Conestoga, PA</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Description:</td><td align="left">Tandem-nursing mama of two, Jew, friend, birth geek, professional. Crunchy like matzoh.</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">URL:</td><td align="left">thecoveredwagon.word…</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Followers:</td><td align="left">706</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><span id="tweet11" style="display: none;">@babywearingitup practice carries on your bed so if baby falls, it's not a crisis. :)</span></td></tr>
<tr class="tt1"><td valign="middle"><map name="ovkxox12"><area alt="ReTweet" coords="0,0,24,24" shape="rect" title="ReTweet"></area><area alt="Add to Favorites" coords="25,0,48,24" shape="rect" title="Add to Favorites"></area><area alt="User Controls" coords="0,25,24,48" shape="rect" title="User Controls"></area><area coords="25,25,48,48" shape="rect" title="jenboss's archive"></area></map><img border="0" height="48" id="thumb12" src="http://a2.twimg.com/profile_images/1149248114/d2546d8b-8b9d-40f0-a650-550a974e5840_normal.png" usemap="#ovkxox12" valign="middle" width="48" /><a class="twt" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=6553042912917596386" title="click to toggle between @ reply / direct message"><b>jenboss</b></a>: That it takes practice. Follow your instincts. Also, it is so helpful for those fussy times when nothing else works. Also. It pays off for when they are mobile. Keeps them safe and near. </td><td class="tfall tf1" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="userinfo" id="userinfo12" style="display: none; z-index: 1000;"><table class="info"><tbody>
<tr><td align="right">Name:</td><td align="left">Jen Boss</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Location:</td><td align="left">Jen Boss | Minneapolis </td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Description:</td><td align="left">urban hippy, food, life, health, kids, baby, organic, local, food blogging, family blog, preschool</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">URL:</td><td align="left">foodmoneytimehealth.…</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Followers:</td><td align="left">253</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><span class="source"><i></i></span><span id="tweet12" style="display: none;">@babywearingitup That it takes practice. Follow your instincts. Also, it is so helpful for those fussy times when nothing else works.</span></td></tr>
<tr class="tt2"><td valign="middle"><map name="ovkxox13"><area alt="ReTweet" coords="0,0,24,24" shape="rect" title="ReTweet"></area><area alt="Add to Favorites" coords="25,0,48,24" shape="rect" title="Add to Favorites"></area><area alt="User Controls" coords="0,25,24,48" shape="rect" title="User Controls"></area><area coords="25,25,48,48" shape="rect" title="lakeline's archive"></area></map><img border="0" height="48" id="thumb13" src="http://a0.twimg.com/profile_images/423979144/dpavatar_normal.jpg" usemap="#ovkxox13" valign="middle" width="48" /><a class="twt" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=6553042912917596386" title="click to toggle between @ reply / direct message"><b>lakeline</b></a>: Try lots of different things, I hated pouches/slings but loved wraps. </td><td class="tfall tf2" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="userinfo" id="userinfo13" style="display: none; z-index: 1000;"><table class="info"><tbody>
<tr><td align="right">Name:</td><td align="left">Leah C.</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Location:</td><td align="left">Chicago - South Side</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Description:</td><td align="left">I am a libertarian parent - which is surprisingly NOT an oxymoron!</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">URL:</td><td align="left">lakelinesthoughts.com/</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Followers:</td><td align="left">373</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><span class="source"><i></i></span><span id="tweet13" style="display: none;">@babywearingitup Try lots of different things, I hated pouches/slings but loved wraps.</span></td></tr>
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<tr class="tt1"><td valign="middle"><map name="ovkxox16"><area alt="ReTweet" coords="0,0,24,24" shape="rect" title="ReTweet"></area><area alt="Add to Favorites" coords="25,0,48,24" shape="rect" title="Add to Favorites"></area><area alt="User Controls" coords="0,25,24,48" shape="rect" title="User Controls"></area><area coords="25,25,48,48" shape="rect" title="TheSaisquoi's archive"></area></map><img border="0" height="48" id="thumb16" src="http://a2.twimg.com/profile_images/1093094514/5410699a-5acd-41c6-bd78-2702a4f87b76_normal.png" usemap="#ovkxox16" valign="middle" width="48" /><a class="twt" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=6553042912917596386" title="click to toggle between @ reply / direct message"><b>TheSaisquoi</b></a>: Be Brave! Don't think it isn't working if the baby cries immediately- #babywearing takes practice for both Mamas & Babes!</td><td class="tfall tf1" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="userinfo" id="userinfo16" style="display: none; z-index: 1000;"><table class="info"><tbody>
<tr><td align="right">Name:</td><td align="left">Jessica McClain</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Location:</td><td align="left">Portsmouth, NH</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Description:</td><td align="left">Librarian turned abstractor and now Mom</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">URL:</td><td align="left">saisquoi.blogspot.com</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Followers:</td><td align="left">167</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><span class="source"><i></i></span><span id="tweet16" style="display: none;">@babywearingitup Be Brave! Don't think it isn't working if the baby cries immediately--#babywearing takes practice for both Mamas & Babes!</span></td></tr>
<tr class="tt2"><td valign="middle"><map name="ovkxox17"><area alt="ReTweet" coords="0,0,24,24" shape="rect" title="ReTweet"></area><area alt="Add to Favorites" coords="25,0,48,24" shape="rect" title="Add to Favorites"></area><area alt="User Controls" coords="0,25,24,48" shape="rect" title="User Controls"></area><area coords="25,25,48,48" shape="rect" title="soozenw's archive"></area></map><img border="0" height="48" id="thumb17" src="http://a2.twimg.com/profile_images/1077286998/e2ed11a9-13f0-4995-b38a-2616a35e49a3_normal.png" usemap="#ovkxox17" valign="middle" width="48" /><a class="twt" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=6553042912917596386" title="click to toggle between @ reply / direct message"><b>soozenw</b></a>: Take it slow, try different carriers, and have a spotter in the beginning!<a class="twt" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=6553042912917596386" title="babywearing"></a> </td><td class="tfall tf2" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="userinfo" id="userinfo17" style="display: none; z-index: 1000;"><table class="info"><tbody>
<tr><td align="right">Name:</td><td align="left">Susan</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Location:</td><td align="left">Indiana</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Description:</td><td align="left">SAHM, Baby Formula Guru, and baking pro! I make babyfood, bread, and anything you can can!</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">URL:</td><td align="left">soozenw.blogspot.com/</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Followers:</td><td align="left">69</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><span class="source"><i></i></span><span id="tweet17" style="display: none;">@babywearingitup Take it slow, try different carriers, and have a spotter in the beginning! #babywearing</span></td></tr>
<tr class="tt1"><td valign="middle"><map name="ovkxox18"><area alt="ReTweet" coords="0,0,24,24" shape="rect" title="ReTweet"></area><area alt="Add to Favorites" coords="25,0,48,24" shape="rect" title="Add to Favorites"></area><area alt="User Controls" coords="0,25,24,48" shape="rect" title="User Controls"></area><area coords="25,25,48,48" shape="rect" title="SummerLoveMommy's archive"></area></map><img border="0" height="48" id="thumb18" src="http://a2.twimg.com/profile_images/1141005550/Oct9_normal.JPG" usemap="#ovkxox18" valign="middle" width="48" /><a class="twt" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=6553042912917596386" title="click to toggle between @ reply / direct message"><b>SummerLoveMommy</b></a>: not to give up, it takes a little practice for both you and baby! And it's okay to re-wrap a few times until your comfy<br />
<img border="0" height="48" id="thumb14" src="http://a2.twimg.com/profile_images/1149244126/162c032c-11f0-48eb-8cd2-eaa10fe11864_normal.png" usemap="#ytzcgw14" valign="middle" width="48" /><div class="userinfo" id="userinfo14" style="display: none; z-index: 1000;"><table class="info"><tbody>
<tr><td align="right">Name:</td><td align="left">Gabrielle</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Location:</td><td align="left">Wisconsin</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Description:</td><td align="left">You can find me dancing in the rain during a summer storm or enjoying life in general. I like taking risks and getting the most that life has to offer!</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">URL:</td><td align="left">azure-skyyes.blogspo…</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Followers:</td><td align="left">65</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/AzureSkyyes"><b>AzureSkyyes</b></a>: <a class="twt" href="" title="babywearingitup"></a> get someone with experience to help you. Start young. Start with small amounts of time. Start with a content baby!<span class="source"><i></i></span><span class="source"><i></i></span></td><td class="tfall tf1" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="userinfo" id="userinfo18" style="display: none; z-index: 1000;"><table class="info"><tbody>
<tr><td align="right">Name:</td><td align="left">SummerLoveMommy</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Location:</td><td align="left">N/A</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Description:</td><td align="left">I'm a twenty-something SAHM to two wonderful, crazy toddlers. I love being at home & spending time with my hubby and kids. Passionate about AP & babywearing.</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">URL:</td><td align="left">N/A</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Followers:</td><td align="left">422</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><span class="source"><i></i></span><span id="tweet18" style="display: none;">@babywearingitup not to give up, it takes a little practice for both you and baby! And it's okay to re-wrap a few times until your comfy</span></td></tr>
<tr class="tt2"><td valign="middle"><map name="ovkxox19"><area alt="ReTweet" coords="0,0,24,24" shape="rect" title="ReTweet"></area><area alt="Add to Favorites" coords="25,0,48,24" shape="rect" title="Add to Favorites"></area><area alt="User Controls" coords="0,25,24,48" shape="rect" title="User Controls"></area><area coords="25,25,48,48" shape="rect" title="Momtoperfection's archive"></area></map><img border="0" height="48" id="thumb19" src="http://a3.twimg.com/profile_images/1149245007/af7daeb3-ec46-48d1-8d48-36d0b06d7326_normal.png" usemap="#ovkxox19" valign="middle" width="48" /><a class="twt" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=6553042912917596386" title="click to toggle between @ reply / direct message"><b>Momtoperfection</b></a>: Don't give up if they don't like it. And try as many types of carriers as you can!<br />
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What tips would you add for beginning babywearers? Or what problems did you have starting out? </td><td class="tfall tf2" valign="top" width="100%"><div class="userinfo" id="userinfo19" style="display: none; z-index: 1000;"><table class="info"><tbody>
<tr><td align="right">Name:</td><td align="left">Mindy McNevin</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Location:</td><td align="left">N/A</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Description:</td><td align="left">Liberal, feminist, stay at home mom!</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">URL:</td><td align="left">mommytoperfection.bl…</td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">Followers:</td><td align="left">113</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6553042912917596386.post-28563202417106735412010-10-12T06:02:00.000-07:002010-10-12T06:02:30.275-07:00#babywearing on Twitter chat!Tuesday 8-10pm EST is #<a class="twt" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=6553042912917596386" title="babywearing"><span class="highlight">babywearing</span></a> chat! Can we trend? Maybe! Will we have fun? Definitely! :) No RSVP is needed, just show up and have a good time! I'll be tweeting lots of links to some of the amazing babywearing stories that have been shared this week during International Babywearing Week (round up post coming as well tomorrow!), as well as safety tips and fun conversation topics. Join us! :)<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JO_fvoMYRCc/TLRQTX-UkDI/AAAAAAAAA7U/ixx29b-UXKo/s1600/brown-baby-sling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JO_fvoMYRCc/TLRQTX-UkDI/AAAAAAAAA7U/ixx29b-UXKo/s200/brown-baby-sling.jpg" width="133" /></a> And, if just talking about #babywearing wasn't exciting enough, <a href="http://www.hugamonkey.com/">HugaMonkey</a> is donating a carrier to be given away to one of our participants!<br />
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We have a <a href="http://www.hugamonkey.com/brown-baby-sling">chocolate brown HugaMonkey</a> that we were given to try out (Thanks, <a href="http://www.hugamonkey.com/">HugaMonkey</a>!) and it is a great grab and go carrier! <br />
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My husband used it quite a bit with our daughter while our son was hospitalized... it was perfect for quickly getting on the move and having free hands.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>So, to sum up, we'll talk about #babywearing, have a grand old time, and give away a carrier! Will you be there? :)<br />
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(If you've never participated in a Twitter party, it's easy! First, if you don't have a Twitter account, <a href="http://twitter.com/">sign up</a>. Then, tweet "I love #babywearing!" and you'll notice that #babywearing is highlighted after you post it. Click on that, and it will take you to the #babywearing stream... with all the tweets tagged with the #babywearing tag! That's where we'll be chatting 8-10pm EST, so hop over and join us for a fun discussion!)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6553042912917596386.post-30938534765989753362010-10-03T10:45:00.000-07:002010-10-04T08:23:44.764-07:00Babywearing Needs YOU<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JO_fvoMYRCc/TKiibNfmH6I/AAAAAAAAA64/sNHyRu-iIbA/s1600/6.08.+069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JO_fvoMYRCc/TKiibNfmH6I/AAAAAAAAA64/sNHyRu-iIbA/s200/6.08.+069.jpg" width="150" /></a>Every family has a story, and babywearing is intertwined through ours. We knew from the first awestruck moments after birth that this precious little one needed us and we scooped him in and never wanted to let him go.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JO_fvoMYRCc/SqMn44_IWYI/AAAAAAAAAR0/Qv1yw8SCm7Q/s1600/6.08.+106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JO_fvoMYRCc/SqMn44_IWYI/AAAAAAAAAR0/Qv1yw8SCm7Q/s200/6.08.+106.jpg" width="200" /></a>Unfortunately, we didn't really want to let the laundry, dishes, housework, etc, completely go to pot either. Also, our arms got tired. He was born 8 pounds, 3 ounces and gained a pound a week for his first several weeks of life!<br />
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So babywearing entered our lives, and we are profoundly grateful for the connection, for the ease, for the bonding, for the portability, for the natural-ness, of the <b>babywearing way of life.</b><br />
<b></b><br />
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From <a href="http://babywearingitup.blogspot.com/2010/07/you-know-me-you-know-that-i-frequently.html">chasing cows</a> to <a href="http://babywearingitup.blogspot.com/2010/07/you-know-me-you-know-that-i-frequently.html">coping with a child in the hospital</a>, babywearing is an integral part of how we parent.<br />
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Our first baby, pictured in the first two pictures, is now 2 1/2, and most of the time much happier to be on his own two feet (which is fine with us, since he's also 30 pounds now)! <br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JO_fvoMYRCc/S1CoujKlGJI/AAAAAAAAAYw/hlmuqfR888Q/s1600/09+349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JO_fvoMYRCc/S1CoujKlGJI/AAAAAAAAAYw/hlmuqfR888Q/s320/09+349.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
Our second baby, who was born 12 months after our first, is in the next photo solo and in the one after being worn with her older brother. By the time she came along, I'd really found my babywearing groove, and was excited to be able to wear her a lot more than her brother. Tandem babywearing really made our year of two under two much, much easier.<br />
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When our second was born, our first had been walking for a week. There was no way he could toddle all the way across a parking lot, far less walk through a store. And if you've ever tried to navigate a stroller through a crowded, treasure laden thrift store (starting by getting in, the doors aren't automatic!), you'll understand why strapping 35 pounds of baby to your torso is comparatively easy.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JO_fvoMYRCc/S6dukAnsqpI/AAAAAAAAAnY/yjEuAtT-Czk/s1600/09+389+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JO_fvoMYRCc/S6dukAnsqpI/AAAAAAAAAnY/yjEuAtT-Czk/s320/09+389+crop.jpg" width="237" /></a>I didn't want to be homebound just because I had two very small children, and thanks in large part to babywearing, I wasn't.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JO_fvoMYRCc/S8ozxSOcWdI/AAAAAAAAAuw/2MWge6xdeyg/s1600/6.08.+101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JO_fvoMYRCc/S8ozxSOcWdI/AAAAAAAAAuw/2MWge6xdeyg/s320/6.08.+101.jpg" width="240" /></a>And I not only shed the baby weight pretty quickly (try squatting down to get a can on a bottom shelf at the discount grocery with 35 pounds of extra weight and you'll see why!), I enjoyed making fun memories with them at the same time.<br />
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When we recently found out that we're expecting #3 next spring, among all of the wonderful things we're looking forward to one of them is wearing a snuggly little newborn again! My husband laughed at me when I said that... and then later admitted that he's really looking forward to getting to babywear a newborn too! He loves the Moby wrap, and this time around I'm trading another carrier with a cousin for a pretty <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Moby-Wrap-Original-Cotton-Carrier/dp/B000VZ2TDK?ie=UTF8&tag=naddysblog-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">indigo Moby</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=naddysblog-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000VZ2TDK" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" />. Can't wait!<br />
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I know I've been rather silent around here, between morning sickness, a horrific cold *achoo!*, and a broken camera, so you might be wondering what brought me out of the woodwork today.<br />
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<b>Babywearing is in crisis, and just as babywearing helped us, we need to turn around and help the babywearing industry stay beautiful, vibrant, and diverse.</b><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JO_fvoMYRCc/S7gAj4ZsXwI/AAAAAAAAAqg/mU8DXTGpPx0/s1600/march+10+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JO_fvoMYRCc/S7gAj4ZsXwI/AAAAAAAAAqg/mU8DXTGpPx0/s320/march+10+015.JPG" width="240" /></a>While I've made many of my own carriers, not every mama can, and we need a variety of big and small babywearing businesses that can provide those families with the tools they need. When I'm stopped on the street and asked about my carriers, frequently I say, "I made this one, but you can buy a similar one from (fill in the blank depending on the type.)" Often that person will write it down or take one of my babywearing cards with more information.<br />
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<b>Losing those businesses due to expensive testing, prohibitive regulation, or sheer bureaucracy is not acceptable.</b> <br />
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What will I do if I can't refer them to somewhere they can buy a similar carrier anymore? Or if eventually even sharing patterns and tutorials for DIY carriers is curtailed because of regulation? How will that harm babywearing? Quite frankly, <b>I don't know and I don't want to find out.</b><br />
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Long story short, the CPSC is trying to regulate the babywearing industry, and there is a huge risk that many of our favorite carriers will go the way of the buffalo (<a href="http://babywearingitup.blogspot.com/2010/09/goodbye-hotslings.html">or Hotslings</a>.)<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JO_fvoMYRCc/S6OkZ88v2TI/AAAAAAAAAnA/-fCLCmrB_LY/s1600/feb+10+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JO_fvoMYRCc/S6OkZ88v2TI/AAAAAAAAAnA/-fCLCmrB_LY/s320/feb+10+003.JPG" width="240" /></a> Babywearing is a safe, traditional way of parenting babies, and the CPSC needs to let parents <i>parent</i>.<b> Babywearing is a parenting choice</b>, and by restricting our access to carriers, the CPSC is going to limit our ability as parents to choose what we feel is best for our babies.<b> This is totally unacceptable.</b><br />
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Please go connect with the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/BabyCarrierIndustryAlliance">Baby Carrier Industry Alliance</a> on Facebook to stay updated with what is going on and how you can help! All babywearers really need to rally and unite right now. As things develop we may need to write letters or make phone calls, but right now, we need to connect, share our stories, and speak out about the joys of babywearing. <br />
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If you are a blogger, the Baby Carrier Industry Alliance needs you... please go here and read their <a href="http://www.facebook.com/notes/baby-carrier-industry-alliance/bloggers-bcia-needs-you/151333571572793#%21/notes/baby-carrier-industry-alliance/bloggers-bcia-needs-you/151333571572793">call to action</a> - and then act on it! <b>We need to be very vocal right now about how important babywearing is to us!</b> If you do write a post, be sure to post it on the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/BabyCarrierIndustryAlliance">BCIA Facebook</a> page AND put it on <a href="http://www.adventuresinbabywearing.com/2010/10/babywearing-and-call-to-action.html">the linky over at Adventures in Babywearing</a>... Steph is going to randomly choose a linky participant to win a Sakura Bloom ring sling, so you definitely don't want to miss out on that! <br />
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Also, if you share your babywearing story and <a href="http://blog.wrapsodybaby.com/?p=125">link up at the Wrapsody Baby blog</a> you'll be entered to win a Gypsy Mama microfleece wrap (perfect for fall!)<br />
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<b>Important update 10/4/10: Action needed: </b><br />
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A <b>recall</b> of a major baby carrier is being forced through this week in a very underhanded way. Word on the babywearing street is that this is not an unsafe carrier and the CPSC has overstepped their bounds in how they've gone about this. If you are represented by any one of these legislators <a href="http://www.facebook.com/notes/babywearing-safety/brace-yourselves-from-wwwthebabywearercom/436088230753">listed here</a>, PLEASE call and write them. More details over at the link, please take the time to read and act. If this can happen to one carrier, it can happen to them all. <b>All our carriers are in jeopardy. </b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JO_fvoMYRCc/S8cVSMRrdXI/AAAAAAAAAtA/KBg4u1wzsZ4/s1600/pregnant+back+carry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JO_fvoMYRCc/S8cVSMRrdXI/AAAAAAAAAtA/KBg4u1wzsZ4/s1600/pregnant+back+carry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JO_fvoMYRCc/S8cVSMRrdXI/AAAAAAAAAtA/KBg4u1wzsZ4/s1600/pregnant+back+carry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JO_fvoMYRCc/S8cVSMRrdXI/AAAAAAAAAtA/KBg4u1wzsZ4/s1600/pregnant+back+carry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span id="goog_1750619539"></span><span id="goog_1750619540"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6553042912917596386.post-55479885008413898262010-09-08T05:00:00.000-07:002010-09-08T08:49:44.231-07:00Goodbye, Hotslings<object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" height="240" id="vp15qzLU" width="432"><param name="movie" value="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1283476049&f=5qzLU6E6a2yjV5JXLBlBzw&d=162&m=b&r=w&i=m&options="></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed id="vp15qzLU" src="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1283476049&f=5qzLU6E6a2yjV5JXLBlBzw&d=162&m=b&r=w&i=m&options=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="432" height="240"></embed></object><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Create your own <a href="http://animoto.com/">video slideshow</a> at animoto.com.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Ladybug" is courtesy of the band Rabbit! (<a href="http://www.myspace.com/saverabbit" target="_blank">http://www.myspace.com/<wbr></wbr>saverabbit</a>) and Ryan Marshall of <a href="http://pacingthepanicroom.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">PacingthePanicRoom.blogspot.<wbr></wbr>com</a> (@ThePanicRoom). When you buy the album Do Fun Stuff Volume 1 (<a href="http://www.dofunstuff.net/" target="_blank">http://www.dofunstuff.net</a>), it benefits PRISMS. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">* Thank you to <a href="http://twitter.com/that_danielle">@that_danielle</a> (<a href="http://daniellefriedland.com/" target="_blank">daniellefriedland.com</a>) for allowing me to share this video with you. *</span><br />
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Babywearers recently said <a href="http://www.buzztown.com/article/1321/hotslings-company-closes-thier-doors.html">a sad farewell to Hotslings</a> after seven years, causing many to wonder about the future of the babywearing market and whether upcoming safety regulations and testing requirements, as well as the after effects of the Infantino recall, would force us to lose other baby carrier businesses.<br />
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Diana from <a href="http://wrapyourbaby.com/">WrapYourBaby.com</a> puts it well in <a href="http://wrapyourbaby.com/blog/2010/09/why-we-need-a-baby-carrier-industry-alliance/">her post</a>... as she says, "the <a href="http://babycarrierindustryalliance.memberlodge.org/" target="_blank">Baby Carrier Industry Alliance (BCIA)</a> was formed by the mothers and fathers behind some of the most innovative and well-loved baby carriers available, to set the standards for babywearing devices before the companies that are home-based, and which started out home-based (like Hotslings) can be edged out of the market..."<br />
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As <a href="http://babycarrierindustryalliance.memberlodge.org/press?mode=PostView&bmi=399602">the BCIA says</a>,<br />
<blockquote>"<span style="color: #412e2e; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9.5pt;">The closure of Hotslings highlights the important work to be done in the baby carrier industry to ensure its health and stability. The BCIA is working hard to develop safe and achievable standards for all sling carriers through the ASTM and to help the baby carrier industry grow. Additionally, the BCIA is working to bring accurate information about the importance of baby slings for the well-being of infants and families to the general public, media, and medical communities."</span></blockquote>The BCIA is needed to make sure that safety regulations take into account the needs of small businesses. Safe babywearing is a beautiful goal, but losing all of our work at home mom babywearing businesses, losing Etsy sellers with unique products, or even losing larger companies like Hotslings, that started out as a mom at a kitchen table, is not the answer. What baby carriers are truly unsafe?<br />
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The recalled Infantino SlingRider wasn't made or sold by a mother who loved babywearing and had a passion for it. It was made and sold by a BIG COMPANY that wanted to make a profit and ignored babywearing advocates concerns about it's safety and bad design. I don't know about you, but <b>I would rather put my confidence in mothers who love babywearing, and are doing all they can to promote it and spread it, than in big, impersonal corporations with an eye on profits.</b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6553042912917596386.post-67726826979387733902010-08-31T23:40:00.000-07:002010-08-31T23:40:53.629-07:00Oh How I LOVE a Back Carry!I love babywearing. Plain and simple. And I especially love it when you get to that point in your baby's development and your babywearing ability when you can back carry. Back carrying takes babywearing to the next level in my mind. It gives you even more freedom to move around and get things done and still have your baby or toddler safe and secure on you in a carrier. And it gives your baby a whole new view of their world! Babywearing is of course a skill and does have a learning curve to it and back carrying takes some practice to get it just right. Using an appropriate baby carrier is always the first step and here are my opinions of the three kinds of carriers I use for back carries: a soft-structured carrier (the ERGObaby), a Mei Tai, and a woven, non-stretchy wrap.<br />
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A soft structured carrier is a great option for back carrying. There are some excellent carriers on the market these days in this category, but the most popular one by far is probably still the ERGObaby. The Ergo has been on the market for almost 7 years and has been tweaked a bit here and there, but still has the original structural design that is tried and true and ergonomically correct for babies. Here is what the ERGObaby website has to say about it:<br />
<blockquote><b>ERGO</b>baby’s baby carrier design supports a natural sitting position for babies, eliminating compression of the spine and hips that can be caused by unsupported suspension. The baby carrier also balances the baby's weight to parents' hips and shoulders, and alleviates physical stress for the parent.</blockquote>I have used an Ergo for both my kids and as far as wearing them on my back comfortably for LONG periods of time (anything over an hour) and also for traveling, I think the Ergo is probably the most comfortable and convenient carrier to use or take with you. I wore my 28 pound, 23 month old daughter in it today for a 2 hour babywearing walk and never felt like it was causing stress on any part of my back, hips or shoulders. And she was so comfy in it that little Miss "I NEVER nap in the morning" slept for a good hour in it!<br />
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My one criticism of the Ergo is the shorter body on it. For most babies the back comes up to just at or under the armpits or shoulder blades. I personally would not use it for back carries until my child was at least 9-12 months old and did not run the risk of arching back in the carrier and at least had better muscle development around the spine. This is just my personal opinion, the manufacturer states that you can use it from 6 months. And again all of this is dependent on your baby and all baby's develop differently. The ERGO does come with a sleeping hood for baby, but I find it a little hard to put the hood up if baby falls asleep while you are carrying them on your back and always end up asking for help with it.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cPhOOB3c4-s/TH3bLq6uZgI/AAAAAAAAAQI/SevXDyo1uuw/s1600/Holiday+BWing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cPhOOB3c4-s/TH3bLq6uZgI/AAAAAAAAAQI/SevXDyo1uuw/s320/Holiday+BWing.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first ERGObaby Carrier, DS is 9.5 months old.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>If our looking for something that has all the same benefits of the ERGO, as in supporting a natural sitting position and balancing baby's weight to the parents hips and shoulders, but has less buckles and snaps, then a Mei Tai or Asian-Style baby carrier may be what you are looking for. The Mei Tai is a traditional baby carrier used in a lot of Asian countries and there are many different brands and styles now available in the North American market. <br />
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All Mei Tais have the same general structure of a rectangle body panel with two shorter waist straps and two longer shoulder straps. The Mei Tai is a very versatile carrier and can generally be used from newborn to toddlerhood and as a front, hip or back carrier. It is also a very easy carrier to get on and off as a back carry. I wore my daughter in our Mei Tai for a 4-day Folk Festival adventure last year and seriously could not have survived that weekend without it. We would walk from stage to stage and up and down a HUGE hill multiple times a day and each time I would have to get her into the carrier on my back and then down again and it was fast and fantastic. I also really like that a Mei Tai is essentially a one size fits all carrier and can fit me, my husband or even grandma when she wants to try it out! One of the things that some people do not like about Mei Tais is crossing the straps across your chest when doing a back carry. There are other options to this though and tying the straps like a back pack (under your arms) is one. My new favourite Mei Tai at the moment is one I got from my good friend at <a href="http://www.cosybabyhappymommy.com/">Cosy Baby, Happy Mommy</a>. She makes the shoulder straps of her Mei Tais slightly padded AND extra wide making them very comfortable to wear when crossed in the front-even if you are bigger in the chest like me! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cPhOOB3c4-s/TH3jdsWBqPI/AAAAAAAAAQY/wkksQdlIn_c/s1600/Walk+in+the+Country+babywearing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cPhOOB3c4-s/TH3jdsWBqPI/AAAAAAAAAQY/wkksQdlIn_c/s320/Walk+in+the+Country+babywearing.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DD and I in our Cosy Baby Happy Mommy Mei Tai-notice the wide straps!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>And finally what I have found the be the most addictive of the baby carriers and my go-to carriers most days now for back carries....the woven wrap!<br />
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I will fully admit that I did not use my beautiful Storchenwiege woven wrap to do a back carry more than once or twice with my first born. I never fully got the hang of it and could not get it tightened enough to make me feel comfortable wearing him in it on my back. Like I said before babywearing is a learned skill and I guess at that point I still had a lot to learn! When I started my business (I own <a href="http://naturalurbanmamas.com/">Natural Urban Mamas</a>), I realized that I would have to get a lot better at this and have since taken a Babywearing Educator course and with the help of my incredible mentor, Arie Brentnall-Compton of <a href="http://www.tadpoles.ca/">Tadpoles and Butterflies</a>, I have discovered how much I LOVE, love, love doing back carries with woven wraps. <br />
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For one thing, these carriers are beautiful! The quality and craftsmanship of most of the European woven wraps is unparalleled and one can go a bit crazy for these carriers (I now have 5!). And the versatility is also amazing, pretty much any carry you want to do can be accomplished with a wrap. And there are different kinds of back carries you can do as well. The most common is the Ruck carry and this can also sometimes be the most elusive for some people, but once it is mastered it is simply awesome and can be done quickly and easily regardless of where you are (you can often see me doing it in the parking lot before heading into the grocery store!). I also like the Secure High Back Carry with a wrap as it provides 2 extra layers of support and the straps are securely crossed at your sternum. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cPhOOB3c4-s/TH3pC2aMCTI/AAAAAAAAAQg/iMQG-2hbDMY/s1600/Babyette+Wrap2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cPhOOB3c4-s/TH3pC2aMCTI/AAAAAAAAAQg/iMQG-2hbDMY/s320/Babyette+Wrap2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Babyette Gauze Wrap tied in a Secure High Back Carry.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cPhOOB3c4-s/TH3p_mVQGCI/AAAAAAAAAQo/igjTDu5s-es/s1600/Ruck+baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cPhOOB3c4-s/TH3p_mVQGCI/AAAAAAAAAQo/igjTDu5s-es/s320/Ruck+baby.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rucksack carry in our Ellevil Jade Woven Wrap</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Back carrying in a wrap is a learned skill and that would be the one drawback with these carriers. If you do not want to invest the time or effort into learning to do this kind of carrying, then a wrap may not be for you for back carrying. If you do want to learn more, I have attached a few resources at the bottom of this post and I would also suggest you find a local babywearing group or meeting and get some advice or hands-on instruction from a seasoned babywearer or babywearing educator.<br />
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Like the Mei Tai and the soft structured carrier, using a wrap for back carrying puts baby in the right, seated, knees above hips position and provides you the wearer with properly distributed weight across both your shoulders and your hips. And in the end that is what is needed when doing any kind of back carrying, what you choose to use as your carrier is dependent on personal preference, lifestyle and often budget. I have used all three of these types of carriers with my kids and think that there is a time and place for each one and I personally like to switch it up and wear a different one every time!<br />
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For more info on how to do back carrying with a woven wrap see the following resources:<br />
<a href="http://parents-village.ca//index.cfm?Page=docs/Ruck">http://parents-village.ca//index.cfm?Page=docs/Ruck</a><br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFLhddgIEIQ&feature=related">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFLhddgIEIQ&feature=related</a><br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/CosyBabyHappyMommy#p/u/4/d1unzt0ynZM">http://www.youtube.com/user/CosyBabyHappyMommy#p/u/4/d1unzt0ynZM</a><br />
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And there you have it everyone, my take on back carrying with the three main types of carriers designed for just that purpose.<br />
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Happy Babywearing,<br />
Natasha~Natasha C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12025188030527254661noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6553042912917596386.post-88744748448295534542010-08-27T09:49:00.000-07:002010-08-27T09:49:56.900-07:00Moby Wrap ReviewI was so happy when a friend gave me a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Moby-Wrap-Organic-Carrier-Eggplant/dp/B001ISJWCU?ie=UTF8&tag=naddysblog-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Moby wrap</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=naddysblog-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B001ISJWCU" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> with my second baby... I had heard so many good things about it and it seemed like the perfect newborn carrier. I was not disappointed! While it took me a few tries to get the wrap tight enough the first few times, once I had it down it was easy.<br />
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The <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Moby-Wrap-Baby-Carrier-Olive/dp/B001FY6NOM?ie=UTF8&tag=naddysblog-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Moby wrap</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=naddysblog-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B001FY6NOM" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> is soft, versatile, and can be a lifesaver with two small children! My baby loved being snuggled up to my chest peacefully napping while I chased her brother or grocery shopped. I found that if I put the Moby on before leaving the house, that I could just take her out of the carseat when I got to the store, put her in, maybe tighten it if needed, and be ready to go without having to try to put it on in the parking lot without dragging it in the dirt. <br />
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The <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Moby-Wrap-Baby-Carrier-Pink/dp/B001FY8NJU?ie=UTF8&tag=naddysblog-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Moby wrap</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=naddysblog-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B001FY8NJU" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> is, in my opinion, the BEST<b> infant</b> carrier. I have ring slings, which I love for 6 months and up, but for new little babies I just love the Moby's softness, the snugness with a floppy little newborn, and how comfortable it is for long periods. After about 9 months or 20 lbs I would rather use a ring sling or mei tai, but for the newborn period, the Moby ROCKS. I traded the one I had with my daughter for another carrier, but I am definitely going to get another <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Moby-Wrap-Baby-Carrier-Pink/dp/B001FY8NJU?ie=UTF8&tag=naddysblog-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Moby</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=naddysblog-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B001FY8NJU" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> wrap before our next baby! I think it is a baby *must have*.<br />
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I wrote this review for Viewpoints... if you <a href="http://www.viewpoints.com/thegoods/Write-10-Reviews-Get-a-10-Amazon-com-Gift-Card">write 10 reviews before August 31st you get a $10 Amazon gift card</a>. :) I don't use a lot of baby products, so at first I had trouble figuring out what to review, but I started off with this and then reviewed my camera, some toys we've been given, etc. :)<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> * Post contains affiliate links *</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6553042912917596386.post-91426936607114247692010-08-10T11:40:00.000-07:002010-08-10T12:10:33.008-07:00Wearing a Hospitalized ChildI do not have very much experience babywearing in the hospital, and to be honest, I hope I don't have an opportunity for more. <br />
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But I think this might be a helpful topic to discuss, like thinking through what your preferences would be if you needed to have a c-section, or thinking about what your course of action would be if you have trouble breastfeeding, and who you'd contact.<br />
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I don't like thinking about kids in the hospital, having a c-section, or having breastfeeding difficulties, but I do think it can be a good idea to think through some scenarios and discuss options. Plus, I'm looking forward to hearing YOUR experiences, if any, with babywearing in the hospital!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JO_fvoMYRCc/TFhgrgpyMqI/AAAAAAAAA1A/pNmOsZkTySg/s1600/july+2010+070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JO_fvoMYRCc/TFhgrgpyMqI/AAAAAAAAA1A/pNmOsZkTySg/s400/july+2010+070.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> My son Nathan was hospitalized for 10 days (<a href="http://naddy.blogspot.com/2010/07/pray-for-nathan.html">story here</a>, <a href="http://naddy.blogspot.com/2010/07/nathan-update.html">update #1</a>, <a href="http://naddy.blogspot.com/2010/07/home-again.html">update #2</a>) due to Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome. For most of the time, he had an IV in his arm, and for part of the time he was on dialysis (peritoneal dialysis, so through a tube inserted in his stomach). He also had lots of monitors, on his toe, on his chest, all over, for much of the time.<br />
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We started out at a small local ER, and I wore him in my ring sling into the ER, in the waiting room, and for some of the initial things, like having his temperature taken. Once we settled into a room, he hung out on the bed and calmly watched tv... a testament both to how little tv he watches, and to how sick and lethargic he was.<br />
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The photo above is of the only time I wore him during the whole hospitalization. He was feeling very lethargic and disoriented, and out of the blue said "mei tai?" At that point he only had an IV, so it wasn't hard to put him on. I did a front carry both because it gave more face time and snuggliness, and also because his platelets were dangerously low. I have never dropped a baby or child while putting them in a back carry, and he is generally very good about cooperating when being put on, but I still opted for the easier front carry. He snuggled in the mei tai for at least ten minutes, and it was a wonderful connection for both of us.<br />
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The night that this photo was taken, we were waiting to be transported three hours away to a PICU at a hospital that could do pediatric dialysis. Once we got to the PICU he was on far too many monitors for holding him to be easy, far less wearing, and he was also much more lethargic and did not ask to be held or worn, although he did want me to lie next to him on the bed and snuggle. <br />
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Wearing also made the hospital experience easier in that Micah was able to pop Miriam into either the ring sling or our <a href="http://www.hugamonkey.com/brown-baby-sling">HugaMonkey </a>and still have hands for diaper bags and water bottles. I'm sad I didn't get any pictures of him wearing her while there... it was good for me to see that she was doing fine and getting snuggles, even if she was getting less mama than usual.<br />
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So... do you have any babywearing in the hospital experiences or stories to share? <br />
<span id="goog_1081500879"></span><span id="goog_1081500880"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6553042912917596386.post-57168291923371875542010-07-30T06:29:00.000-07:002010-07-30T06:29:43.584-07:00Babywearing Stories: Lessons from my daughter<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/7330191@N02/4581377345/" title="raspberry by saisquoi, on Flickr"><img align="left" alt="raspberry" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4059/4581377345_5291214a7d_m.jpg" width="229" /></a>It isn’t much of an exaggeration to say my daughter taught me nearly everything I know about babywearing. After all, babywearing can vary greatly between mothers and children—even children in the same family. It only makes sense to begin the learning process with the baby.<br />
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I really didn’t know what I was getting myself into when I made the decision to wear my daughter. Prior to her birth, I was interested in slings, registered for a <a href="http://www.hotslings.com/La_Vie_en_Rose_p/sc-623.htm">Hotslings</a> pouch sling, and thought that, yes, this is what I would do—for convenience if nothing else. How useful was my stroller going to be during a New Hampshire winter anyway? I didn’t really know any babywearers—I had seen celebrities wear their babies in slings, but that was the extent of my experience. Well, that and reading the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Baby-Book-Everything-Revised-Updated/dp/0316778001?ie=UTF8&tag=naddysblog-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Sears' Baby Book</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=naddysblog-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0316778001" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" />.<br />
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C was born in late January, no complications, no problems—she was completely perfect. She ate well, which is to say she ate all the time. This led to lots of holding. My mother would tell me, “Put that baby down. She needs to sleep. You need to sleep.” And these things were all true, but when I put her down, she’d wake and cry. And I’d pick her up and nurse her and the cycle would begin anew.<br />
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By two weeks post-partum I had lost over 30 pounds and started thinking that I should really be better about eating. After all, if I didn’t eat, the baby wasn’t going to eat. But how do you eat when your arms are full of sleeping or nursing baby? That’s when I remembered the sling that I registered for and someone kindly purchased prior to the baby’s arrival. Lo and behold—it worked!<br />
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Many babies dislike pouch slings. They’re deceptive in their simplicity. For me, it was a good first sling, because all I had to do was put it on. I was fortunate that the one I had fit correctly and that my daughter liked the <a href="http://www.sleepingbaby.net/wearing/cradle.php">cradle hold</a>. Many babies don’t—and, in fact, it’s a hold that you need to be particularly vigilant when using to make sure the baby is positioned correctly and her airway is clear. But C loved it. And, with the use of a hand (and sometimes two hands), I got to start eating occasional meals again. And read books. And knit. All while holding my baby.<br />
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My town is not stroller-friendly, which I discovered the first (and last) time I tried to take her for a walk downtown and a cup of coffee. Brick sidewalks, steps, curbs, and small shops do not contribute to a comfortable experience for a brand new mother and a brand new baby. With the sling, I could be an all-terrain Mama. And if the baby needed to nurse, I could do it discreetly—without having to take her out of an infant seat or a stroller.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/7330191@N02/4826295939/" title="DSCF0907.JPG by saisquoi, on Flickr"><img alt="DSCF0907.JPG" height="375" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4077/4826295939_d6d02aa0b3.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Eventually, we added other carriers to our mix. I bought a <a href="http://www.meitaibaby.com/">mei-tai</a> for gardening so I could wear her on my back—C hated it. I bought a <a href="http://www.scootababy.com/">Scootababy</a> hip carrier because C favored hip carries above all else. I bought a <a href="http://www.mayawrap.com/">ring sling</a> when it became clear that the pouch sling, though it says it works for kids up to 35 lbs, wasn’t cutting it any longer. I asked for (and received) a <a href="http://www.becobabycarrier.com/">Beco</a> for Christmas so that I could wear the squirmy Miss C on my back when she needed holding and I needed to cook dinner or do laundry. I bought a <a href="http://www.gypsymama.com/shop/breeze.htm">wrap carrier</a> because I thought I should try it out, and I recently bought an <a href="http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/">Ergo</a> because I’ve been having back troubles and wanted to try one more thing before I cut back on the babywearing.<br />
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My husband rolls his eyes at my collection of carriers, but he also recognizes how important babywearing has been to me and to our daughter. From the very beginning, she has been a child who thrives on touch and who needs to be held. When I went back to work after my 12 weeks of Family Medical Leave, I worried about how she would adapt and how I would adapt to the hours when she wouldn’t be in my arms. Every night when we got home, I would nurse her and wear her until it was time for bed. When C became mobile, she would bring me a sling if she wanted to be held.<br />
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My daughter is a cheerful, social, and active 18 month old. She still loves to be held and I still love to hold her. Because she is used to being worn, she is used to being where the action is, and she has a smile and a wave for everyone we meet. Everyone knows C—which I’m not sure would be the case if I had kept her knee-high in a stroller. What’s more, everywhere we go, we receive compliments on how well-behaved our daughter is. And I’ve had people ask my secret. Well—here it is: Listen to your child. When C gets tired or overwhelmed, she starts to melt down. Babywearing gives her safety, security, and a way to recharge. Babywearing can bypass a tantrum. Because at the end of the day, no place is better than Mama’s arms and nothing is better than a snuggly baby.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/7330191@N02/4826296021/" title="DSCF0912.JPG by saisquoi, on Flickr"><img alt="DSCF0912.JPG" height="375" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4097/4826296021_909185886b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">This post is part of the July Series <a href="http://babywearingitup.blogspot.com/2010/06/babywearing-stories-series.html">Babywearing Stories</a>. You can read more about Saisquoi and her adventures in parenting at <a href="http://saisquoi.blogspot.com/">Saisquoi?</a></span></i> <br />
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</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06407370254691153441noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6553042912917596386.post-20609941457824828122010-07-22T07:16:00.000-07:002010-07-22T07:16:14.718-07:00Home again, home again...Thank you all for your comments and prayers during Nathan's hospital stay. We are HOME! And he is doing very well. We are still adjusting into a new routine, of weighing him daily, checking his blood pressure, and giving him (only one!) medication, as well as needing to go to pediatrician and kidney specialist visits.<br />
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(As a humorous aside, at his kidney specialist appointment yesterday the nurse loved my sling and I shared one of my babywearing info cards with her... she was interested in making a sling for a niece, I believe! I was happy that she was interested and more than happy to share a card with her that had some pattern links and my contact info.) :)<br />
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<i>Anyway</i>, his wonderful pediatric kidney specialist has repeatedly assured us that he is extremely happy with Nathan's progress, that he thinks that he will have no lasting damage, and that he is recovering quickly. We are going to have to have his peritoneal dialysis tube removal surgery in a few weeks, and then I know that I will feel like we're getting back to normal.<br />
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In the meantime, as things in our life get back to normal, so will things around here. So stay tuned for posts on babywearing the hospitalized child, babywearing the sibling of a hospitalized child, and babywearing ages and stages!<br />
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Happy babywearing, all!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6553042912917596386.post-4885680745733803072010-07-15T05:58:00.000-07:002010-07-15T05:58:55.709-07:00Nathan UpdateIf a picture is worth a thousand words, a video is worth many many more, right? Here is Nathan this afternoon. Off dialysis (for today and tonight... praying that his levels will have continued to improve by tomorrow so that we can stay off altogether!), unhooked from all the wires (for at least part of the day) and able to get up and play! He is a bit wobbly and needs close attention (he thinks he can do everything, but he's still a bit weak and his balance is a bit off. Anyway... here is some amazing Nathan cuteness. Thank you so so so much for your prayers.<br />
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We are hopeful that if he continues to improve at this rate that we may be able to go home soon.<br />
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Please pray that...<br />
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<ul><li>his blood pressure would stay within the normal range so we can stop the blood pressure medication</li>
<li>his body would be able to heal itself from this point, and his kidneys would be able to handle things from here on out without the help of dialysis.</li>
<li>that his anemia would go away without another transfusion (we've had 4 so far) </li>
<li>that there would be no long term damage to his kidneys or his health</li>
<li>that we would be able to go home soon!</li>
<li>that we would be able to find a good doctor to have follow up/monitoring visits with, and that we would be able to establish a good relationship with them.</li>
</ul>Thank you so much!<br />
<br />
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</script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6553042912917596386.post-62224084250149112352010-07-09T12:53:00.000-07:002010-07-09T12:53:08.879-07:00On Break, and Babywearing in the hospital...Hi everyone - I wanted to let you know that there will most likely be little to no content posted here for a while. My two year old, Nathan, threw up Monday morning, had traces of blood in his diarrhea, and was admitted to the hospital Tuesday night. Wednesday morning we were transfered to a larger hospital, and Thursday night we were transferred again.<br />
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Nathan has something called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemolytic-uremic_syndrome">Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome</a>, which means he got a bacteria his body couldn't handle and his kidneys went into shock. The bacteria is gone, but his kidneys are not doing well. He is going to need dialysis, which they cannot do on a pediatric patient at the second hospital we were sent to, so they transferred us via ambulance several hours to our third hospital late last night. <br />
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They are saying he seems to be stabilizing, but at this point but he is definitely not improving. Hopefully dialysis will give his body a big boost and turn things around. <br />
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Please please pray.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JO_fvoMYRCc/TDd8_E7Kz0I/AAAAAAAAA0Q/-TUyKgHP0mU/s1600/ball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JO_fvoMYRCc/TDd8_E7Kz0I/AAAAAAAAA0Q/-TUyKgHP0mU/s320/ball.jpg" /></a></div> from a few weeks ago...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JO_fvoMYRCc/TDd9Mf5Pu5I/AAAAAAAAA0Y/OntKOdPusUY/s1600/littledancers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JO_fvoMYRCc/TDd9Mf5Pu5I/AAAAAAAAA0Y/OntKOdPusUY/s320/littledancers.jpg" /></a></div><br />
And from last Sunday...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JO_fvoMYRCc/TDd9agHRb8I/AAAAAAAAA0g/sbkVgrQBz-g/s1600/creek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JO_fvoMYRCc/TDd9agHRb8I/AAAAAAAAA0g/sbkVgrQBz-g/s320/creek.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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Yesterday, he was only hooked up to an IV, so when he said "mei tai?", I was easily able to put him in my mei tai in a front carry and give him some closeness and snuggles. That was very comforting for both of us. My husband has been doing a lot of wearing too, with our 14 month old. He's been using the mei tai and our HugaMonkey as well to give her some security and comfort and have hands free for carrying bags, etc.<br />
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If you want to keep updated, I am updating my twitter fairly regularly... follow me <a href="http://twitter.com/babywearingitup">@babywearingitup</a><br />
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