Baby wearing is a topic of conversation daily. Because it has literally become my life. Let me tell you something about the past I wish I could change. I wish I knew what I know now about baby wearing when the twins were born. And I am no expert. In the last 4 months at least a dozen people have become better educated about baby wearing and have become the owner of either their first baby wearing item or something BETTER for them to use. Let me state that one carrier is not necessarily better than others. The biggest priority is knowing EXACTLY how to properly use them. And that's usually tons and TONS of youtube videos and preferably an in person meet up. I had the pleasure of hosting one of those recently for MOPS with the help of my good friend Valerie who was the first to lend me a woven wrap and teach me how to properly use it. She truly steered me into the baby wearing world and I hope to continuously pass that along.
Officially I own 2 Ergos, 3 Lillebabies, 2 Standard Tulas, 1 Toddler Tula, 3 Woven Wraps (1 size 6 and 2 size 5 each one a different brand), a Baby k'tan, a DIY Ring Sling, an infantino unison and an infantino mei tai. I'm sure I have more that I don't even know. Why??? Because it is my EXTREME desire to pass on the gift of baby wearing to anyone who in interested! 1 Ergo is lent to a friend at church, 1 lillebaby permanently lives in Orlando with one of my best friends until God tells her that her baby wearing days are over, 1 lillebaby was just returned to me yesterday and 1 woven wrap is currently lent out as well. God has placed on my heart to be a personal lending library starting with MOPS and branching out within my church and close friends and family.
Baby wearing isn't for everyone and I will never EVER force anyone to baby wear. But I will help educate, allow you to try on anything I own and guide you in proper use for anyone reading this or any of your friends, any time. I'm happy to lend you any of my carriers too (if it's possible!) Everyone's bodies are built differently. So while I favor our Tula now, I didn't always. And I know friends who 100% prefer their Ergo, Kinderpack or Lillebaby. #wearallthebabies In whatever you choose to wear. It's not a one size fits all kind of thing.
Baby wearing has changed my life. And even when it's just Ezekiel and I running errands, 90% of the time, I still wear him versus tossing him in the stroller. Why you ask? To me this is just like asking why I am still breastfeeding. Yes he is 20 months TODAY (geez we're SO CLOSE to 2!), yes he can walk, yes he can sit in a cart. But he'll only be a baby, toddler, mommas boy for so long. Wearing him allows so many things, so let me share just SOME of the list with you:
1. I can control and contain him
2. He behaves better because he's exactly where he wants to be, with momma
3. If he gets tired, he just lays his head down and passes out
4. He can see everything and I can share in his reactions to the world around him
5. Who wants to deal with a stroller while they're shopping? Carts are bad enough.... God forbid both!
6. He doesn't like to cuddle at home much so this time together is special and oh so short
7. I don't want to pass him around. I know he's not an infant anymore (this was much higher priority in those days) but most of the time I just want people to say hi to us and get about our day/business
8. I don't want strangers touching him. And they're so much less likely to randomly touch my child (spreading their germs or freaking him out) when I'm wearing him
I could go on and on. I wear him because life is short. He'll have so many more days of his life that I cannot wear him anymore. So I wear him now and take him on my journeys with me because he is still small enough to do so. I throw him on my back and I can receive endless hugs and kisses. I strap him to my chest and he can nurse himself to sleep. I wear him because then we are together. He started his life sharing my body. That is where he is safest. Why shouldn't I honor that?
And truthfully, I've worn the twins. They still fit EASILY in the toddler tula and every now and then they want snuggles too. I've haven't done it outside of the house but I would if I needed to. Just recently we went to Silver Springs and Ezekiel was down running around with Erik and my sweet niece, Eriana, was getting tired and wanted to be held so I tossed her in Zeek's standard Tula. It was a bit small, I wish I would've had the toddler. But it did the job. She got to hang out on my back for over 30 minutes and she was in heaven. A few days ago BOTH the twins wanted to be worn. They were really just being silly to see if I could and would. I'm not going to turn down that challenge or those snuggles. So Ephraim got on my back in the toddler and Elijah got put on the front in the standard and Ezekiel cried! HAHA! I got to be silly with my twins and I was a cool mom again!
Just like I don't wear the twins daily, but will if I need to, the days are coming where that will be Ezekiel's story. I'm going to savor these days that he's really fussy and a quick super man toss up and he's not crying anymore. I'm going to treasure his sweet toddler voice saying "up mommy" for as long as I can.
I baby wear because it's a PIVOTAL part of my relationship with my youngest son right now. It grounds us both. It's a safe place for both of us. There will be a day that the swaying and humming and fake sign language I do so that he doesn't wake while I wear him, will be over. But just for today, I'm enjoying this season in our life and I'm enjoying baby wearing. I find so much joy in it. And I would love to guide you and help you find that joy too. And if it's not your thing, I'm not judging you, but I'll wear your baby too if you need a break ;)
HAPPY BABY WEARING MY FRIENDS!
(& seriously, don't hesitate to comment here, text or PM me anytime with anything baby wearing related!)
(Ezekiel and I on Easter Sunday walking into Cheesecake Factory! The sleepy dust was REAL!)
(The twins and I playing around! Elijah on the front in a Standard Tula, Ephraim on the back in a Toddler Tula)
Disclaimer: I read this blog post and it inspired me to write this one!
http://girlofcardigan.com/why-i-wear-my-daughter-because-you-asked/
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