[PaulaSmiles]

Lately, I've been reading a lot about "wearing your baby" by using a sling, wrap, etc. instead of using a stroller. (or in addition to a stroller)

I started wondering how many of you "wear your baby" and what percent of the time.

I'd love to hear any advice you have on the topic. I just ordered a hotsling yesterday for our visit trip!

P.S. I've seen lots of sites using the term "baby wearing" in a positive way by those who do it. I hope it is not offensive in anyway to anyone.

[JanelleD]

Although we haven't brought our son home (yet!) we have other children at home and I wear our youngest all of the time. He's only been in a stroller 2 times since his birth!

When our little one comes home I definately plan to wear him all of the time. It promotes bonding since the baby is held so close to you. It makes it easier for the parent because you can be somewhat hands-free.

A stroller can be useful at times, but I prefer to hold our son. I have worn him for hours literally while shopping and he has done just fine. It's another way for me to connect with him. I actually "miss" him when I put him down.

Right now I usually wear a ring sling but I have a Hotsling, like you mentioned, as well as some other carriers. I even wore my son in a pool pouch this week when we were at the pool.

There is also a great website that is devoted to baby wearing. Am I allowed to link to it? I know the rules changed somewhat on that.

There are some carriers that are made with Guatemalan fabrics too!

I think it is so important to wear these little ones when they come home. They are missing out on our care right now and it's a wonderful way to bond.

Best wishes!

[AngelQT]

When I was visiting Angelo in Guat, I wore him the hole time, he was only 7 weeks....

Now, Angelena is 15 months, and I do.... BOTH... I wear her when we go shopping, facing out of course... Then if we go to eat, I either us a stroller, or a high chair. Mind you Angelena is still on the small side, 17 lbs. Everyonce in a while, I let her walk until her little legs give out, then up she goes in the carrier...

So... IT really depends on the situation... Now if she was a little chucky one... STROLLER ALL THE WAY!

[PaulaSmiles]

Hi, Janelle!

Thanks for all of your advice on baby wearing.

The more I read about it, the more I want to do it.

If the site your talking about starts with the word "the" I've found it and learned A LOT!

If it's another site I'd love to get a link in a PM in case it's not allowed here.

[PaulaSmiles]

Thanks, Ellie!

Nicholas is still small also, about 8 pounds at three months.

Is he too young for any hold other than the cradle hold. Could I try the one where he's sitting up a little? I think it's called the kangaroo?

[JanelleD]

Originally Posted by PaulaSmiles

Thanks, Ellie!

Nicholas is still small also, about 8 pounds at three months.

Is he too young for any hold other than the cradle hold. Could I try the one where he's sitting up a little? I think it's called the kangaroo?

I know this question wasn't directed to me but I have worn my son in the kangaroo carry since he was born. He's 4 months now (but small) and I still wear him that way. Sometimes I face him in, sometimes I face him out.

[Devora]

I did both --

Wore when around the house or in stores. Strolled when my intent was to go for a walk.

The wearing is especially good during visits and the transition home -- You can actually talk with your child, make eye contact, and have conversations. You can't do those things when they're in a stroller.

There are lots of different kinds of slings and wraps available. I used the Maya Wrap - Sling version. The La Leche League also (at least used to) sell a sling that is great.

[JanelleD]

Originally Posted by PaulaSmiles

Hi, Janelle!

Thanks for all of your advice on baby wearing.

The more I read about it, the more I want to do it.

If the site your talking about starts with the word "the" I've found it and learned A LOT!

If it's another site I'd love to get a link in a PM in case it's not allowed here.

I just read the rules and I believe I can link to it. It's TheBabyWearer.com

I know that Ellaroo and Maya both make products using Guatemalan fabric, so you might look into those too.

Blessings,

[PaulaSmiles]

Thanks, everyone!

Does anyone have any photos of you and your baby in a sling, wrap, etc?

If you post one, could you please tell me what the hold is called?

Thanks so much!

[ddhuab]

I wore Zoe pretty constantly when we brought her home, for about 2 or three months. Then she got really big, and although she will fit ok in my peanut shell, but I found myself using the stroller more often. Nowadays, she is walking, and I only bring out the stroller if she is gonna be tired and cranky or if we are in a hurry in a place i need to herd her about and use my arms... GENERALLY, I just carry her when she wants to be held or we need to get somewhere quickly. I mainly just use the stroller at the Zoo, and when in stores with buggies, I put her in that (she loves going grocery shopping).

I have lost track of my peanut shell, but I am oging to dig it out because she still has days she wants to be attached at teh leg... that way I can tote her around on my hip and still get stuff done around the house.

D.

[Melissa Mc]

When we went on our visit trip we brought a stroller and a sling carrier. Sofie loved the sling..she would calm down very quickly when I put her in it and fell asleep in it very quickly and easily. We did use the stroller too, but mostly I put her in it when she had already fallen asleep in the sling and I needed to strech a bit, or eat or shower etc. I vote sling

Melissa

[Niclayson]

I wore Trey for a few hours everyday the first year home. It was good for bonding and good for me to get things done too.

Now when he's feeling stressed, he brings me his carrier and says "hold you pease" It's so sweet.

[ERAmy]

I hated lugging around the infant carseat so wore my youngest alot when making those short errands. Then he quickly outgrew the carseat but couldnt quite sit up fully yet so unable to go into a cart, I wore him then.
Up until he was a little over a year he would let me hip carry him in a pouch. He did let me carry him when he was sick around his 2nd bday in a mei tai.
Baby Slings - Baby Carriers - Baby Wraps and Attached to Baby store also carries slings and such.
Heres a few pics of carriers I still have. Ive tried a few others along the way, recently selling a couple but still have a bit of stash left.
In a pouch around 3 months old.
In a Baby Slings | Baby Carriers | Mamma's Milk water pouch (awesome material made with built in spf, literally used that and no suncreen on him for many 12 plus hours out in the sun and never tanned/burned.) He was about 5-6 months in that pic.
Then in a Peanut Shell microfleece around 4 months.
And lastly, my Freehand mei tai around 9 months.

[Wonk]

I got my daughter at 5 1/2 months and no way was she going into a sling. She would do the Baby Bjorn except she was so small, her head rubbed on it not in a good way. So we gave up on that except for special occasions where we have to go through a crowd. Then we have more of a backpack type carrier, something that will work well for her as she gets heavier. So part of the answer is that you are no longer in control and it depends on what your little potato wants.

[JanelleD]

Originally Posted by PaulaSmiles

Thanks, everyone!

Does anyone have any photos of you and your baby in a sling, wrap, etc?

If you post one, could you please tell me what the hold is called?

Thanks so much!

This is not the baby we are adopting, but our other son. I am carrying him in the kangaroo carry.


IMG_3549_edited-1.jpg - Image - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting


IMG_3535.jpg - Image - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

He was sleepy in these photos. We are in Antigua on our visit trip. He is 3 weeks younger than the baby we are adopting

I couldn't attach the photos here because it said they were too big, so you'll have to use the links above.