4.5 year old in Ergo

 

This 4.5 year old weighs 44 pounds!!

Admittedly, it is much more comfortable on the back, but for brief stretches, the front is ok, too... He really loves it.

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How to do a Mei Tai Hip Carry

The Mei Tai carrier can quite easily be used as a hip carrier (in addition to it being great at back and front carries).  My guess is that this works best after baby gets substantial head control-- maybe around 5 months or so.  The model in these photos is 15 months old.

To do this, first tie the waist.  Bring the carrier front to the hip and hold the child there (through the carrier).

Then pull one top strap over the shoulder and the other around the body (at the top of your ribs).  Cross behind baby's back and tie these, either behind your back or behind baby.

You should feel the weight just lift off, and you will have quite a bit of mobility as well.

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Double Babywearing - Wearing two children at same time

 

They were both screaming for me at the same time.  
What's a mama to do?

Oh- of course:

1. Put baby in Scootababy on side.
2. Put Preschooler in Ergo on back.

Ahhhh..... peace and quiet. Instantly.

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Pattern Review: Pea Pod Carrier

 I found this tutorial for a hip carrier called the Pea Pod Carrier.  It reminded me of the Scootababy which I use constantly.

It was really easy to follow along and sew.  My only complaint is that the difference between the left and right shoulder strap placement was so minimal, I may have missed it.



I quite like how easy it is to clip on and off, and the swivel key (or toy) clip is clever.   I added a cell phone pocket (detail in 3rd photo). I decided on its placement by putting on the carrier and imagining where I would like to reach for my phone!  I may have to add a snap to the pocket.

I also liked how her box stitching to hold the straps on for extra stability was through all the fabric layers instead of just the middle layer (like in the Scandi Mei Tais I have made).  It is not as pretty, but I think it is more stable.

In making it, I was surprised the bottom was not padded for comfort, but this made the sewing process go much quicker.  I am also slightly dubious that single-weight fabric can hold a baby up to 35 pounds, but I suppose that is how most pouch carriers are made.

Also, I was surprised that the waist piece was separate on both sides instead of  one continuous piece, through the carrier body ~ I had thought that was a requirement of sorts for Mei Tai style carriers for added security.  This does make it lighter, though.

 I used quilter's cotton on the outside and soft Minky on the inside, and the straps are made of old curtain bottoms.  I used medium-weight interfacing in the middle and an additional layer of it along the waistband.  The clips are 1" clips and the key fob is a swivel clip.

After putting it on and putting Baby inside, I think I prefer the Scootababy carrier. It feels OK, and stable, and I actually like the unpadded waist.  But the shoulder needed a bit of readjustment to keep it wide enough.  I also felt the weight of the baby more than I do with the other single-side carrier.  It was better after I tightened the shoulder strap, but still not a favorite.  I don't think this will be my go-to carrier, though it was fun to make.

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How to Nurse while Babywearing

Nursing in a carrier is a great way to help meet your baby's needs when you either can't sit down, or if you want a little extra privacy.

My favorite is nursing in the Ergo.  To do this, I lengthen the straps a bit, lowering the baby.  Then I can manoever Baby onto the breast by moving my breast to his head level.  I have found this to be an easy way to get Baby to sleep as well.  For more privacy, just close the sleeping hood.

I never got the hang of how to nurse in the Moby.  I think I managed once by squishing baby lower and squeezing my breast high enough to reach Baby's mouth.  It looks like there is a way to do it by pretending it is a sling.  Here is a video someone else did of how to nurse in a Moby Wrap using it more like a sling:

However you end up managing it, nursing while walking or in the grocery store is a fine feat worth attempting repeatedly to get it right!  Good luck...

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Scootababy Carrier: My Current Favorite

I purchased the Scootababy carrier when my eldest was about 18 months old.  I did it on a bit of a whim when he was getting pretty heavy in the Ergo on the front, but didn't love to sit on the back.  Having him on my hip without adjusting the straps made it easy to use and actually pretty cozy.  I am using it again with my second, who is 7 months old.  He loves to look out, so sitting on the side is a nice compromise for both of us (he can look out without craning his neck, and I can still look at him).

This carrier is a soft structured carrier (SSC), just like the Ergo.  This means it is a classic Asian Mei Tai, redesigned to use clips instead of long straps and knots.  Its innovation is to have one strap instead of two on the upper body part so that it is permanently a hip carrier (although you can wear your baby more to the front or back).

I thought I wouldn't like having the weight on one shoulder, but the hip belt carries a lot of the weight, and the one shoulder is covered in a wide piece of fleece.  This piece really envelops the shoulder cap, thus keeping the weight on the wearer's skeleton instead of their muscles.  This makes the child feel light!  The carrier also keeps the child close.

It comes in a variety of colors, and has sturdy construction.  The clips are tight, waist padding is thick enough, and the padding for the opposite hip is mobile, so you can adjust it depending on the waist size of the wearer and where exactly the baby is on you at that moment ~ meaning baby can sit more in front or back and you will always have the other piece padding your opposite hip without carrying the extra padding around.

My only wish for it is a cell phone pocket or larger pocket of some sort, although adding a pocket would make it less cozy.

All in all, I really like the carrier and find it easy to use and comfortable from about 5 months to 40 pounds.

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I love my new Boba 3G

My new Boba 3G Carrier is so fabulously awesome.  I have tried and returned the Boba before, but that was their 2G. Sadly, I am not sure if I am going to be able to keep this carrier.  My baby hates looking inwards!  My toddler loved it when he was a baby, and will sit in a carrier on me whenever I allow it.  Personality really is an amazing thing. I am hoping the baby will like sitting on my back at some point (he doesn't like it now).

But anyway- the carrier is amazing.  It is sturdy and attractive.  It is adjustable in many places and the strap ends tuck away.  It adjusts to carry an infant and can be used through to 45 pounds.  My toddler actually felt light in it-- the foot stirrups really help lighten the load just by getting his feet out of the way.  He liked them, too, and said they made it more comfortable.  The clips and snaps and buckles are all tight and solid.  The chest strap and feet straps adjust on plastic rails, which is actually different than the other carriers on the market.  The shoulder straps have an extra piece of fabric to hold a diaper bag in place, which is quite innovative (it snaps closed).  It also has pockets- one to hold the removable sleeping hood, and two on the waist belt.  The waist pockets are small; one is zippered and just large enough for money and a phone and the other could hold one small diaper -- although it bulges a bit awkwardly when full.  So my only complaint is that these could be a bit larger.

My 3-year old weighs around 36 pounds.

My 5-month old weighs around 15 pounds.

More on the Ergo Vs. Boba (after a friend asked me to expand on this): The Boba straps are thinner (denser padding)... the Ergo pocket is bigger. Boba material is sturdier and Ergo material is softer. Boba has foot straps for bigger babies. Boba has infant adjustment included; Ergo you need to buy an insert.

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Beco Gemini vs. Beco Butterfly (and why I returned the Gemini)

I ended up so enthralled by the Beco Gemini and Beco Butterfly 2 carriers that I wanted them both.  So I went to a real store (The Nurture Center) to try them on (novel concept, I know).

I went in, thinking I would purchase the Beco Butterfly because it is like the Ergo (which I love) but has an internal soft piece of fabric which holds the baby into the carrier and makes it easier to take it on and off.  It was better as a concept for me.   Because I spent over two years carrying my first baby (and we still carry him in carrier at times~ at over 3 years old and over 35 pounds), I am quite comfortable taking a baby in and out of a carrier.  The extra piece just slowed us down.  I put it on my back and baby struggled to find a view through the straps, then settled when he could see through a tiny opening (he is now 5 months old and 15 pounds).  Then it took help for us to get him clipped out of it.  I did like Beco's safety clips, though.

Then I tried the Beco Gemini and thought it was also a lot like the Ergo.  However, the body piece is a lot thinner.  It also has snaps at the bottom, where the main body meets the waistband.  These snap to make it even narrower, which allows a smaller baby to be comfortable facing in, or any size baby to look out.  My baby likes to look out, and I thought this would be better for my body than the kangaroo carry in a pouch sling that we are currently using.  I thought having the weight on both shoulders and my waist would be easier than having it just on one shoulder.  I bought it.

We got to the Farmer's Market (our next stop) and tried it out.  By this time, baby was tired.  He fussed and couldn't settle for a nap.  The lack of sleeping hood didn't help (instead of a hood, it has a head rest that clips to D-Rings with toggles).  Off went the Gemini and out came my pouch.  He nestled right in and fell asleep.  Oddly enough, he also felt lighter.  I think the pouch must also distribute the weight across the body instead of just on one shoulder, because he didn't feel heavy to me.  Maybe it was just habit.  I was also grateful to put away that new-carrier smell-- it was really strong on this organic carrier.

Later, at home, I put the 35 pound preschooler into it, since it is rated that high and he likes to be carried.  He felt heavy in it (he doesn't feel heavy in the Ergo- he just feels solid).  I readjusted and tried him on my front and back, and thought maybe I had made the wrong choice.  So I took it off.  In the process, those front snaps came undone.  If they are that loose brand new, I knew that with any use at all, the snaps would just get more pliable and less likely to stay shut.

But the preschooler wasn't who I bought it for (though I know the baby will get that big in time).  In went the baby.  The narrow size was nice, as it was in the store, and he was comfortable in it facing front and back.  But I kept thinking of the Baby Bjorn, and its terrible reviews.  I had read that it caused spinal stress on the baby (in addition to shoulder stress for the wearer).  I wasn't sure if it was the front-facing or the small base for sitting on, but, regardless, it was on my mind.  The design change of the Gemini from having fabric in front to having piping in front just reminded me even more of the Bjorn.  But we walked around a bit with him in it facing forward.  He liked it.  I couldn't see him at all, and his weight kept pulling away from me and making the straps tug.  I kept checking him out in the mirrors around the house, and I don't find the need to do that when he is in the pouch.  I took him off.

I gave it one last try, thinking it would be nice facing inwards to have a thinner silhouette.  We took a walk to visit our neighbor.  I grabbed my phone and an extra diaper, and put the baby in the carrier.  But~ no pockets! Where to put my stuff?  I love the Ergo pocket, and without one, any carrier needs to have a very redeeming feature to be chosen.  

So~ although the Gemini is great in theory, I need a pocket.  I also want to be able to see my baby (or at least easily maneuver him around for a view).  The sleeping hood is also necessary to block out stimulus.  I also didn't feel like it was an exceptionally sturdy carrier, since the snaps came open easily and my heavy child felt, well, heavy, in it.  

Thanks for the refund, Nurture Center.  Next up, the Boba 3G...

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Amazing Baby Carrier Review Chart

Check out this amazing chart on The Portable Baby. She is down on the Bjorn for health reasons for the baby and wearer, and down on all single side carriers for health for the wearer (like pouches or the Scotababy).

Of the Soft Structured Carriers, she doesn't like Ergo (which I love), but says it is because of the company.  Her reasons sound solid. She makes an argument to try the Beco carriers, or the Boba 3G (I had tried the 2G before and didn't like it, but it seems they have solved these issues). The Beco Butterfly 2 seems nice, with the holder for baby inside the carrier.  The Beco Gemini also seems nice, but for smaller babies or outward facing up to 20 pounds.


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Newborn Mei Tai Hold

Carrying in the Mei Tai works well- by adjusting the height of the carrier body by tying the straps under the baby's body. Otherwise, it isn't tight enough and the baby slumps a bit inside.

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Pregnancy and Babywearing

Wearing your baby or toddler during pregnancy is possible.  There are some modifications that are recommended to keep the pressure off of the growing uterus.

30 weeks pregnant using an Ergo

Using a soft structured carrier like the Ergo, Scootababy, Boba, and the like is possible using the back and hip carries.  With these, the waistband needs to be below the uterus.  I found these to be most comfortable (especially the Ergo on the back), although my stamina for carrying my toddler is much less than it used to be, since he and I are both growing.

30 weeks pregnant using a homemade Mei Tai

Using a Mei Tai is another alternative, especially if the baby is low in the belly.  A modification of the traditional rucksack carry is to tie the waistband and shoulder straps above the abdomen instead of below.  This shifts most of the weight to the shoulders, which gets a bit heavy for me (and my 35-lb child), but may be more comfortable with a lighter child.

17 weeks pregnant using a Scootababy

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Baby Wearing 101

Baby wearing is said to make babies smarter, calmer, more attentive, less colicky and more likely to develop healthy sleep habits than their counterparts in strollers.  

My son and I using a ring sling at 3 weeks.

Babies are carried in wraps and other types of carriers throughout the world from birth until when they start walking, and this is known as the "in-arms phase."  


Anecdotally, parents agree it makes life easier to always know where the baby is, and they are able to use both hands to meet life's other demands.  It has also been said to lessen postpartum depression and improve infant heath and mortality.

My son asleep in the Moby at 3 months.

To wear your baby, first you need to choose a carrier.  There has been a glut of carriers on the market lately, and they fall into a few categories.  I have tried many types of carriers, looking for the perfect fit.  This "perfection" has changed many times, with a pouch being perfect from Day 2 (6 pounds) to 10 pounds, then a Moby Wrap through six months, then an Ergo and Mei Tai on the front and back through 2 years, and now my son will only go into the hip carrier or Ergo  (he will be 3 in August).

At 8 months and snug in the Ergo at a family holiday gathering (the Ergo suck pads are homemade).

Pouch and Ring Slings

Pouch slings are a fixed size.  They fold in half, fit over one shoulder, and the baby sits in the pouch.  These accommodate newborns nicely, and babies can often nurse in them.  As babies grow, how the baby is worn changes but many caregivers find them useful.  Toddlers straddle the body from the opposite hip.  These come in fabrics like hard cotton and fleece, and some have padding on one side.  Popular brands include New Native and Seven Slings.  The advantage of these is that they are small enough to tuck into a diaper bag, and can be used in a variety of positions as baby grows.  The disadvantage is that they come in different sizes, so it is difficult to share a carrier between caregivers or when a Mama changes size, the carrier may not fit any more.

Ring slings are used the same, but the rings allow the user to change the size  The Dr. Sears' Balboa Baby adjustable sling is a popular brand, as is the Maya Wrap.  

When shopping for these, keep in mind how thick the fabric is when not in use.  This translates into how much space it will take up in a diaper bag and how heavy it will be during different seasons.

In my experience, both were useful, but the ring sling was even more useful than the standard pouch, although the standard pouch carrier was useful as I got used to baby wearing, since I didn't need to adjust it every time.  It was nice to slip the pouch on and pop the baby in, especially when we went anywhere where I thought people would ask to hold the baby and I wanted to keep him close.  I preferred the other, and liked being able to share the ring sling with my partner and use it as I got smaller.  Having the weight on one shoulder got a bit heavy after carrying the baby for a while, and I stopped using it almost entirely after about the baby hit about 10 pounds and I discovered the wrap carrier.

At 2 months and at a work function, my son could sleep through anything when snuggled in the Moby.  I wore him for hours in the Moby, since it distributed the weight evenly and let me pay attention to him without really stopping to pay attention to him.

Wraps

Wrap carriers are a bit daunting at first, since they are made from yards and yards of material and you have to tie it on yourself then tuck the baby inside.  But watching the video and reading the instructions is worth it, because once you get it on the right way, the baby is attached in such a way that the weight just falls off.  It is evenly distributed between both shoulders and both hips, and the baby feels snugly swaddled in close to the caregiver.  A fussy baby quiets once inside, and, like all the carriers, a mama in motion with baby in carrier reminds them of the comfort of the womb and they calm right down, and often fall asleep.  Many mamas put the Moby (or other wrap like the Sleepy Wrap) on after a light layer in the morning, and keep it on all day, popping baby in and out as needed, and layering other clothing on top.

Downfalls of wrap carriers are the learning curve to get them on right, and I found that only one of the positions, baby in front facing in, worked for us.  Many positions are advertised and shown on their instructions, and my son and I both loved the one that worked for us.  We actually used this carrier so much that I got a second one so we could wash one and wear one.  


Unfortunately, he got too tall to tuck his head inside anymore around six months, so we had to retire it (sadly), and transition to a soft structured carrier.

My son took many naps while I went about my business (shown here in San Diego at 9 months and with the sleeping hood of the Ergo up).  My friend is using a Baby Bjorn, which I do not include on this list because some of the models do not give adequate support to the mother, placing all weight on the shoulders.  Some models also are formed so the baby's weight is on the spine instead of placing the baby in a seated position like the Ergo does, thus being less than ideal for baby's physical development.

Asian Carriers (ABC Carriers), Soft Structured Carriers, and Hip Carriers

Asian baby carriers include the Onbuhimo, Mei Tai, Podeagi, and Bei Bei.  Soft structured carriers like the Ergo, Boba and Beco are take-offs of the Mei Tai with buckles and pockets and other add-ons.  Hip carriers like the Scootababy are also Mei Tai take-offs.  They are mostly a panel of fabric with a strap at each corner-- two for the waist and one for each shoulder, to be worn backpack-style or crisscrossed in front (or back or side).

At 11 months and in the Ergo at another family function.  My son was able to stay part of the action without being handled more than he was ready for, as he felt safe and secure on Mama.  Notice his slightly younger cousin on his Mama, also in an Ergo, but carried in the hip way instead of front way.

All of these carriers have a main body panel piece where the baby sits.  They are a fixed size and the baby's legs straddle the fabric.  The Bei Bei and Podeagi are different in that they have a main piece that is more of a blanket, and needs to be wrapped around the baby.  

All of them have shoulder straps of a fixed width, and most are padded.  The Mei Tai and all of the soft structured carriers that are its knock-offs have waist bands.  The Mei Tai's waist is secured with a knot, and the soft structured carriers use webbing and a plastic buckle.  The soft structured carriers' buckle allows for less extra fabric, although it is nice to be able to tie the Mei Tai waistband in front or back.  The Onbuhimo, Bei Bei, and Podeagi's top shoulder straps end up being tied in such a way to allow the hips to take some of the weight of the baby (unless you are pregnant and tie them above your belly instead).

At 18 months and in a homemade Onbuhimo Asian-Style carrier.  This and the homemade Mei Tai were nice to hold the baby on front or back, and also distributed the weight nicely.  The padded shoulders and hips of the Mei Tai, as well as the ability to switch it from front to back easily and ride the baby higher and tighter on the back made this a favored carrier.

The advantage of the soft structured carriers over the traditional ABCs are the add-ons like buckles, pockets, and sleeping hoods.  My favorite ended up being the Ergo, although I washed mine a few too many times and the padding wore a bit thin.   I liked the fit for me and my son, and the pocket was well-placed and sleeping hood covered just right.  The chest strap really helped us feel secure when using it.  I also liked the ease of switching from front to back.  A downfall of this is that it is not meant to be used until 15 pounds, although they make an infant insert so the baby can be swaddled inside before this.  I didn't try it, but hear it feels less secure and Mamas feel like they need to keep a hand on the carrier to keep baby inside (and that defeats the point, doesn't it?).

Next favorite of the soft structured carriers for me was the Scootababy. It only has one shoulder strap and a waist band, although the shoulder is made of fleece and hugs the shoulder, thus keeping the weight more securely on the bones rather than the muscles, thus lightening the load.  It is easier than using another type of carrier which has to be made into the hip position because of this shoulder pocket and because it is already there.  This carrier would benefit tremendously from a pocket (even a small cell-phone and credit card sized one).

The traditional ABCs are very adjustable, though, and worth a try.  All of the carriers of this style really help in the 20 to 40 pound range of babies and toddlers.  The Mei Tai is my favorite of these, as we always felt snug in it.  I never got the sleeping hood quite right, though, and am looking forward to trying my newly innovated version.  I didn't love using the Onbuhimo, since putting it on requires a bit of coordination to hold the baby steady in the carrier while threading the shoulder straps through the rings, but my guess is that it would improve with practice.  With the next baby, I may give the Bei Bei and Podegai a try, although I am pretty happy with my current carrier selection.  I like the idea of them being able to keep the legs together, and having the carrier double as a blanket when not in use.  I am not sure if the extra fabric would just get hot, though.

At just shy of 2 years old, we switched to the Scootababy hip carrier.  You can see my son staying close to me (and allowing me both hands) as he goes about his toddler business.

All in all, whatever carrier works for you and your baby is the one that is best for you!  There are so many out there to choose from that you are sure to find one that is right for you.  Or maybe, like me, you will find the changing advantages of the different types as you and your baby change.

References/ Further Reading:

"The Latest in Strollers? Mom and Dad," NY Times, March 10, 2010.

The Baby Book by Sears and Sears, 1992, or their website.

The Continuum Concept by Jean Liedhoff, 1975.

Our Babies, Ourselves by Meredith Small, 1998.

The Happiest Baby on the Block by Harvey Karp, 2002.

To make own, see Jan Andrea on the web.

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