Page 6 - Babywearing
Baby Gear
Babywearing
October 12, 2013
Each day during International Babywearing Week (IBW), we’ll be posting babywearing tips from our friends at local Babyearing International (BWI) Chapters.
Today’s tip comes to you courtesy of BWI of Lawton/Ft Sill:
Have you been at a loss for storing your Ergo? It's simple to roll your carrier into a nice, tight roll with the shoulder straps tucked inside. Start with the outside of your baby carrier facing out. Then take the waist strap and strap it around the roll of your carrier. Buckle it. Snug it up and you’re good to go. No more dangling straps all over the place.
Baby Gear
Babywearing
October 11, 2013
Each day during International Babywearing Week (IBW), we’ll be posting babywearing tips from our friends at local Babyearing International (BWI) Chapters.
Today’s tip comes to you courtesy of BWI of Peoria:
There are many convenient ways to get baby on your back for a back carry in an Ergo. We will demonstrate two different methods here.
The hip scoot:
You'll want to get your carrier adjusted to your waist and start with the body centered over your right hip.
Place Baby centered into the body of the carrier and grab the left strap with your left hand and loop it up to your elbow.
Proceed to scoot Baby to your back and work the left strap up to your shoulder.
When Baby is centered on your back, put your right arm through the right strap and adjust to fit your body.
Finally, clip the chest clip and position accordingly.
The superman toss:
Position the carrier so it is centered at your back and at the appropriate height.
Cross your arms over each other and take hold of Baby's armpits.
Baby Gear
Babywearing
October 10, 2013
Each day during International Babywearing Week (IBW), we’ll be posting babywearing tips from our friends at local Babyearing International (BWI) Chapters.
Today’s tip comes to you courtesy of BWI of Phoenix:
We would like to share our pointer for making sure you have a good seat, especially when wearing a newborn with the insert or using just the pillow for babies in the in-between stage. Many parents talk about baby pushing up and baby's legs falling out the bottom. The waist band needs to be snug against the wearer's body. We are using an organic Ergo with the pillow from the infant insert and a bear (for lack of an appropriately sized baby). Many times what happens is that the waist band starts off snug but as the wearer puts baby in and adjusts the carrier, it rides up to a smaller part of the waist. This creates a gap that can allow baby to push their leg through the bottom of the carrier.
The first picture shows what we commonly see when parents tell us about this issue
Baby Gear
Babywearing
October 09, 2013
Each day during International Babywearing Week (IBW), we’ll be posting babywearing tips from our friends at local Babyearing International (BWI) Chapters. Today’s tip comes to you courtesy of BWI of Southern Maryland: If you are doing a Hip Carry in an Ergobaby Carrier and you are finding that the shoulder strap digs into your neck, try clipping the chestbelt. You may need to move it around to get it to clip comfortably, but clipping it can pull the strap away from your neck and make for a very comfortable Hip Carry.Emotional Benefits of Getting Outside
Spending time in nature with your baby can strengthen the bond between you. The simple act of holding your baby close, feeling their warmth, and sharing new experiences together can create strong emotional connections. It’s also a wonderful way to reduce stress and improve your mood. When my littles were extra fussy, I’d take a walk around the neighborhood. Even though I don't live in an area with trails and
Baby Gear
Babywearing
September 12, 2013
The growing popularity of babywearing in our modern society makes more parents aware of an amazing tool to meet their children’s need to be close to them while keeping up with a busy schedule. Very young babies feel most secure when they in their parents’ arms, where food and warmth are readily available. A toddler can be kept safe from vehicles or other dangers in public, and receive the reassurance that a loving caregiver provides when they become overstimulated. As with any tool, there are guidelines to make its use as safe as possible.
Babywearing safety begins with choosing the right carrier. There are many choices in modern baby carriers, to fit every budget and style. Make sure the carrier you choose is appropriate for the age of your baby. Is your child within the stated weight guidelines? Is there an insert necessary for a newborn? Be sure to read the manufacturer’s directions and consult an educator or babywearing group if you need further instructions.
Shop at reputable
Baby Gear
Babywearing
August 06, 2013
It's no news that summer is hot and when you've got a little one one your body, it's even hotter. And while there aren't any baby carriers with an air conditioner feature, there ARE carriers that are built in with ultimate breathability. Plus, we can offer a few tips for babywearing in hot weather ;)
1. Dress both yourself and baby for the weather.
Light and airy clothes are best. We like linen or 100% cotton or linen, although sporty performance fabrics are also great if that is your style! Remember that whatever carrier you are using acts as a layer, too. Also keep sun protection in mind. Baby Legs or other leg/arm covers are an easy on/off way to provide light protection while staying cool (some Baby Legs even have UV protection).
2. Keep a layer of fabric between you and baby to help make things feel less sticky!
Wearing a high neck shirt is the easiest way to do this. Some people like to keep a thin piece of muslin or cotton to place between them and baby (bonus:
Baby Gear
Babywearing
July 25, 2013
Especially if daddy’s doing the babywearing. On a hot day!
We set out one morning (a bit later than we’d planned) to harvest fresh, ripe blueberries from our local berry farm.
Set on a windy hillside, the acres of land include a playground, farm store, pond, and fields after fields of fruit trees and berry bushes. It’s truly a sight to behold as you drive in, and then later as you ride the truck out to the berry patch.
Daddy and sons took a stroll out to find frogs while we waited for the farm truck.
Babywearing while berry picking is a must, as you’re not likely getting a stroller onto the bench-seat-only farm truck. At least not without some frowns from the other passengers who’d love the space!
Plus, the ride out is bumpy, and a baby securely on your back (or snuggled against your chest) is best for this kind of a ride.
With the heat… and the rate at which we ate the berries! … we definitely had to pick fast to keep our mouths and buckets full! I was so grateful our nearly-one-year old
Baby Gear
Babywearing
June 28, 2013
"Why is my baby so fussy?" is a question I get asked by many moms and dads as I speak to new parents in my role as a postpartum doula and Int'l Board Certified Lactation Consultant. There is no easy answer to this question. However, if parents understood the physiological makeup of their baby, and respond to it the way nature designed them, then the question would be less of an issue.
First of all, just because the umbilical cord has been cut, an infant still does not have autonomy. Babies should feel so connected to their primary caregiver that they think they are one unit. In a perfect world, it is optimal that a child be worn for the first 12 months and beyond. This ensures the baby the sense of safety and security in knowing that she is not alone. Have you ever noticed how an infant sleeps so well on your chest, but as soon as you put her in her crib, she wakes up? This is exactly my point! The infant senses that it is no longer safe in the caregiver's arms. She no longer
Baby Gear
Babywearing
June 19, 2013
I often hear new parents talk about all of the things they “can’t do” now that they have a child(ren). One thing that seems to make that list time and time again is hiking. Every time I hear this I just want to scream I mean honestly what better way to bond with your child than getting out and experience the great outdoors together with a nice hike. So maybe you can’t do those 10-15 mile hikes that you once did and overnight backpacking trips will have to be put on hold until your little one can carrier their own pack but besides those few little things hiking is most definitely something you can do with your child at most any age.
My husband Neil fell in love with hiking a few years ago and I have slowly become fond of hiking myself and have even gone on a few 10-15 mile hikes and an overnight trip with him. When our daughter arrived last summer we unfortunately didn’t make it out for any of the hiking season due to my slow postpartum recovery and just the busy-ness that comes
Baby Gear
Babywearing
June 18, 2013
My husband and I enjoy hiking and were determined to keep hiking a part of our life even after we had children. We therefore found ways to make hiking both possible AND fun with an infant or young toddler. So in the spirit of fun times ahead, here are a few tips for hiking with your baby.
1. Only hike in good weather
This may go without saying, but many adults have no problem hiking in the rain or the cold. Babies, on the other hand, are not as able to regulate their body temperature like adults can and since they are not generating heat through activity, they can lose body heat quickly through their hands and feet. What’s more, babies and young children do not follow instructions even when it’s to their benefit to do so! No matter what you do, sometimes your child will insist on hanging a foot, hand, or even head outside of the rain cover or poncho to get cold and wet. The end result? Unhappy baby, unhappy parents. Always check the weather forecast before leaving