All About Babywearing

Moby too hot

• Beth R. The Moby Bamboo should be a bit cooler, but stretchy wraps do all tend to be a bit warm - knit fabric doesn't allow for much airflow. If you like wrapping, moving to a woven wrap will be somewhat cooler, although that can vary widely depending on the weight and blend of the fabric. A gauze wrap like a Wrapsody Breeze or a Calin Bleu Gauze will allow the most airflow. If you want to move away from wraps, a linen ring sling is one of my favorite options for smaller babies. Back carries will also be quite a bit cooler than front carries, but note that requires a different carrier - Moby wraps are not approved for back carries.

Our Q&A starts now!

Toddler...

• Beth R. Comfort in a buckle carrier will vary from wearer to wearer. There's a great deal of variation in shapes of carrier, much like our bodies vary. So, te best way to find your perfect fit would be to visit your local Babywearing International chapter meeting (or unaffiliated group if you don't have a local BWI chapter) and try them on. If that's not feasible, I would suggest trying some Toddler sized carriers. There are several brands with Toddler carriers available. Was your Ergo comfortable before, for both you and your daughter? Are you short or long torso, narrow or wide shouldered, etc?

• Beth R. To find your local BWI chapter, please see the list here: https://babywearinginternational.org/chapters/ I volunteer with BWI of Greater Boston. We have five meetings per month: http://www.bwiboston.com/when-are-meetings.html

Wrap tutorials

• Beth R. There are lots of great videos out there! Here are three of my favorite video makers: Wrapping Rachel: https://www.youtube.com/user/WrappingRachel Babywearing Faith: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=babywearing+faith Denim Bei Dai: https://www.youtube.com/user/denimmeitai There are also lots of great videos on the Babywearing International website: https://babywearinginternational.org/what-is-babywearing/babywearing-resources/general-woven-resources/ You'll want to double-check the size of your wrap before selecting which carries to try. (Note: Faith is super petite and often requires less length on a wrap than the average babywearer to complete the same carry.)

Babywearing

• Beth R. Absolutely! Babywearing is the practice of using a carrier to hold a baby, toddler or big kiddo close to the wearer's body. Carriers range from simple pieces of cloth in a variety of shapes and sizes to more specifically shaped carriers with panels and straps, all the way to buckle carriers with backpack-style straps, padded waists, and more.

Babywearing dads

• Beth R. Babywearing groups and social events are often mostly attended by women, although all of the groups I know of are open to and supportive of men as wearers. However, the act of babywearing is really great for all genders. It's an excellent way for non-birth parents to bond with baby, and to give their partner a break for a shower, a haircut, or any sort of self-care. Worn babies cry less, which is a bonus for everyone, but knowing that they'll need to do less active soothing than if they hold baby in arms may help put many male potential wearers firmly in the babywearing camp. The ability to be hands-free and accomplish other things while still caring for the baby is another great selling point. Many male wearers tend to be tall, with long torsos, which can make it difficult to properly fit a buckle carrier while baby is still small, which can be discouraging. If that sounds like the guy in your life, I would suggest a different carrier type (anything else they like, really). If they definitely want a buckle, selecting one without a waistband, like the Original Baby Bjorn, can be a good option. (Note - buckle carriers are very personal; it's common for parents and caregivers to each have their own instead of sharing a single carrier.) It's important to be sure that baby is high on your body - close enough to kiss - when wearing, which is why waisted buckle carriers can be difficult for wearers with long torsos. If that's the combination you're working with, be sure to move the waist of the carrier higher on the wearer's body so that the top of baby's head remains high on your chest, in an easily kissable spot.

Tandem wearing

• Beth R. If both children may want to be up and down, then selecting carriers that can allow for that independently is the biggest piece of the tandem puzzle. I like a stretchy wrap for small babies, but by 1-year-old, it may not be giving you enough support with a wiggly toddler to be comfortable for long. A woven wrap in Front Cross Carry will let you pop your toddler in and out on your front, regardless of whether your 3-year-old is up or down. A Ring Sling is another quick and easy poppable option. You'd want to put the front carrier on first, empty. Then put your older child up, in your Beco Toddler, on your back, and finally pop your 1-year-old into the front carrier. This order means that you're not leaning over with the 1-year-old in the carrier while loading the 3-year-old on your back, and neither of the carriers would be putting pressure on the opposite child. It's definitely possible to tandem wear in pretty much any two carriers you own, but it can be difficult - with two buckle carriers, there's a lot of bulk with two waistbands, two sets of straps, etc. Also, when Tandem Wearing remember that your balance will be very different, and the extra weight can be significant. If I grocery shop while Tandem Wearing, I really just can't buy anything from the bottom shelf. Lunges are safe, but squats are really tough!

Breastfeeding

• Beth R. That's a tricky one! Is that a general breastfeeding question, or specific to breastfeeding while babywearing? In front carries, breastfed babies will often seek to comfort nurse. There are three basic options that most breastfeeding caregivers try: 1) back carries - lack of access will curb most comfort nursing requests 2) more clothing layers - another form of lack of access; more layers of clothing can both make access more challenging and limit baby smelling milk 3) take baby out of the carrier for a bit, at least until they are sufficiently distracted

Baby Ktan positions

• Beth R. If your baby has good head control, that's probably fine, but I wouldn't plan to support his head full time with your arm - you're losing a major benefit: being hands-free! I'd suggest the 'Hug' position instead. You can adjust the 'cumberbund'/sash to give neck support as necessary and tuck baby's head into the loop if he falls asleep. https://www.babyktan.com/hug That's also essentially the same position your Ergo will hold your baby in, and the most common front carry position. This is a great age to try the Ergo - you most likely no longer need the infant insert, or possibly just the pillow. Give it a shot, or stop by one of our BWI of Greater Boston meetings if you'd like a little extra hands-on support. We'll be in Arlington on April 19th, Somerville on the 24th and Newton on the 25th.

Best infant carrier for hot & humid climate

• Beth R. Hi Monique, Do you have a lower back injury or have you had lower back pain with carriers before? If the latter, which carriers have you found challenging? There are a number of carrier brands and types that are worth considering. Depending on the nature of your back issues, you may find wrapping to be the most comfortable. In that case, a gauze wrap such as a Wrapsody Breeze or Calin Bleu gauze would be light and airy, and good for the humid Florida weather. Wrapping allows for high, tight back carries, which are popular among wearers with back issues. For buckle carriers, there are several brands that have mesh options, which help vent heat from your little one. Tula, Kinderpack, Lillebaby, Ergo and Beco come to mind quickly. The Boba Air is a very lightweight carrier, but it is not very breathable, so I wouldn't recommend it for a daily carrier in a hot, humid climate. It's also entirely unpadded, which negates many of the benefits of a buckle carrier. It's a great travel or emergency carrier since it packs up super tiny. BityBean is another carrier brand that packs up very small - about the size of a soda can - but it has a small amount of padding, breathable lining fabric, and is officially rated safe for use in water, which the Boba Air is not. Ultimately, babywearing is a bit hot, no matter what carrier you use. I always recommend that wearers select thin cool clothes - tank tops are great - and a single thin layer for baby, to avoid skin-to-skin contact while in the heat, which is sticky! A broad brimmed hat for you can also do a really good job of providing a bit of shade for you and baby, which can make a big difference as well. Ultimately, I would be sure to choose a carrier that is comfy on, regardless of temperature, because an uncomfortable carrier will be all the more so in the heat.

Our Q&A is now over

Best baby carrier for toddlers

• Maria Addendum: It also needs to be easy enough for me to put her in myself. Those back carries seem so complicated!

• Beth R. Is your back pain high, mid or low back, or caused by a specific medical condition? I may be able to give you more specific suggestions. For many wearers with back issues, a high back carry in a woven wrap is the best answer (although some back conditions may warrant slightly different recommendations). Front facing out carries will virtually always cause you to lean forward, which will cause additional back strain. High back carries help center her weight over your own center of gravity, making it easier to carry. Keeping her nice and tight will also help. Lower back carries in buckle carriers or meh dais may also work, but I would strongly recommend at least trying a wrap. We have a wide variety of wraps in the BWI of Greater Boston lending library if you'd like to try before buying. Check out our meeting times and locations to find the meeting closest to you. http://www.bwiboston.com/when-are-meetings.html

• Beth R. Back carries really can seem intimidating at first, but with just a bit of practice, it gets much, much easier. There are several different techniques for getting her on your back - my recommendation will depend a bit on what type of carrier you're using and the nature of your back pain/injury. I have long arms with good flexibility, and I find Superman Toss to be the easiest way for me, regardless of carrier type. Hip scoot is also a good option for those with less flexibility. If you're using a Meh Dai or a buckle carrier, you can also put it on in a front carry position, remove your arms from the straps, and then rotate the carrier + baby as a unit to your back and put your arms back in the straps. This is the sort of thing that's really great to practice at a group meeting; we can be your spotter, coach and assistant all in one.

• Maria Thanks for your reply. What on earth is a Superman toss? Lol. I have had some mild form of chronic back pain/shoulder pain for years now. It's mostly upper back, but with my Beco after wearing her I have noticed lower back pain as well, which is why I stopped. I got a Lillebaby recently with the ergonomic support and I am hoping that will be better. I agree, I really do need to make it to a meeting. Back carrying is super intimidating. I have watched many videos, but when it comes to actually doing it with my daughter I get nervous and chicken out :(

• Beth R. In a Superman Toss, you lift the child at her torso, just under her arms, and twist her up and onto your back - her legs sort of float out the way Superman's cape would if you were to pick it up in front of you and spin it out and around to put it on. Most toddlers absolutely love it. It can seem a bit overwhelming at first, but it quickly becomes second nature, and an easy way to get baby up high. We'd love to see you at a meeting - we've got great weighted dolls you can practice with before picking up your daughter, and lots of good spotters. You can also try practicing with a large doll or teddy bear at home.

Best way to carry 4 month old

• Beth R. You can use the Moby Wrap safely for children up to 35 pounds. However, you're in the window now where some wearers start to find stretchy wraps get less comfortable. At this age, babies get more active and will start to wiggle and bounce, which will often result in the wrap starting to sag while you're wearing it. If that happens, you can untie, re-tighten, and re-tie. If that happens regularly, you might want to consider other carrier types. In your Moby Wrap, your options are the Hug Hold and the Hip Hold. Moby (and other stretchy wraps) is not intended for back carries. https://mobywrap.com/pages/instructions-the-moby-wrap If you enjoy wrapping your baby, check out your local BWI chapter meeting and try out a woven wrap. (They're cooler for the upcoming summer weather, too!)

• Angelica Thank you!

Wrap for 3.5 and 1.5 yo

• Beth R. There are lots of great brands! It very often comes down to aesthetics and price. Length also really depends on what kinds of carries you want to do. Most of the beginner carries use a "base" size wrap; if you're a Small/Medium T-shirt size, a size 6 wrap is a good base. Large/XL generally works well with a size 7, and larger sizes may want to consider looking for a size 8 or 9. Not all brands stock those sizes, but Bijou Wear usually does, Babylonia USA carries size 8, and Risaroo stocks some wraps in those sizes, I believe. You can also use shorter wraps, but it will change what carries you can do. I usually recommend starting with a longer wrap and either graduating to a shorter one, if that becomes your preference or learning techniques to manage leftover length if you prefer one of the carries that doesn't require quite as much wrap. There are tons of wrap brands. Tons. I couldn't possibly list all of them that would be good options. However, if you're in the Greater Boston area, I'd recommend stopping by Diaper Lab in Davis Square - they carry a few really nice, budget-friendly lines and are knowledgeable about babywearing and able to help you in the store. If you need to shop online, here are a few to consider: Bijou Wear, Babylonia USA, Chimparoo, Nunamoochie, Soul Slings (they make carriers of all types, not just slings), and Lenny Lamb. Again - not a complete list in any way - but a good starting point. Ultimately, find something you love to look at - if it's pretty, you're much more likely to use it. You might also want to consider a gently used wrap. There are usually several offered for sale on the BWI of Greater Boston Social Group (on Facebook) at any given time. With wraps, gently used can really be better than new at times - the wraps are already "broken in" and extra soft.

Too late to start

• Beth R. Absolutely; you can start babywearing at any time! Attending a local babywearing group meeting is a great way to get some hands-on help, but there are also great resources online. If you have the original Ergo, you'll want to buckle the waist around your body and tighten. The waist should be pretty snug; that's what's going to hold most of your baby's weight, and it will distribute more evenly over your body if the waist is snug. Then pick up your baby and hold him against your chest/torso, so that he is comfortably supported by your body. With one hand, bring the panel of the carrier up and over his body, so that it's smooth with no lumps or excess fabric under his bum. Slip your arm through the strap, then hold baby and the carrier panel in place with that hand and slip your other arm through the other strap. You'll need to reach behind you to buckle the safety/chest strap. The first time you do so, it'll be easiest if you have a helper available, but you'll learn to do it yourself quickly. Next, adjust the shoulder straps and tighten as necessary so that the carrier is evenly snug across your baby's back - and through the entire length of the shoulder strap against your body. If the safety strap is high on your back, it may dig into your neck. Ask your helper to slide it down so that it's in the lower half of your shoulder blades (this is the number one comfort adjustment I help people with in person!). At this point try to take a look in a mirror. Your baby should be comfortable and snug, seated in the carrier with their knees higher than their bum, in a relaxed "M" position. Ergobaby has a nice short video available, also: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wK5TL3t2nI8 If you want to share your specific challenges, I am happy to offer tips for those situations.

• Mishell Thank you so much! I had no idea they offer babywearing group meetings!

• Beth R. We definitely do! In the Boston area we have 5 per month. http://www.bwiboston.com/when-are-meetings.html We'd love to see you there!

• Mishell Thanks!

Travel carrier for Toddler

• Beth R. There aren't any super slim buckle carriers designed for toddlers right now, that I'm aware of. BityBean may be a bit more comfortable than the Boba Air, but it's not significantly different in size. You might consider a ring sling. Those pack down quite small, and a linen sling is both supportive for a toddler and a cool, airy fabric for summer. It is a one-shouldered carry which is not always great for long carries with heavy toddlers/preschoolers, but especially if she's up and down a lot, that may not be an issue for you at all. Sleeping Baby Productions and Sakura Bloom both offer really lovely linen slings.

• Paula Thanks Beth! I'll check those out.

Happy Babywearing!