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The Babywearing Blog Team

Happy Birthday Dr. King

We have the great fortune of living in the home state of Martin Luther King Jr. My husband and I have chosen certain holidays to celebrate in order to bring more meaning into our lives. One of those is MLK day. We see him as a bodhisattva of sorts, a man who dedicated and eventually sacrificed his life in order to help relieve the suffering of others. So we have made a commitment to service of others on this day.

Here, we were at Ebenezer Church in Atlanta for the service at the MLK's church. Elijah got through it in his sling, as usual, and we enjoyed the celebration.

I am always on the look out for unique photos of mothers in traditional cultures wearing their babies. It is such an ancient art. Maybe not even an art, but a way of life. Mothers have been wearing their babies in cloth carriers throughout human history. And we tend to think of it as a trend that is coming into style. We have made it trendy, for sure, but it is a very basic childrearing method. Why on earth did it go away for so long? What were we thinking? What could be more basic than carrying your little one close to your body. Safety, warmth, affection. All of his basic needs are taken care of there. I only hope this "trend" comes on full force.

Please note: This photo is on loan to me from the photographer and must not be reproduced in any way without permission. Thank you!

Baby Wearing Conquers Halloween!!

So this past Halloween, my darling son Sterling wanted to be a snail. Yes, a snail. I asked him repeatedly what kind of a costume he wanted mommy to make and it was always the same answer, so I was prepared to go with it. Thank goodness for me (because I couldn't figure out for the life of me how I was going to make a 3-D shell for him to wear), he decided last minute to be a kangaroo. Why? So that I could be a kangaroo and carry Royal in a pouch and he would have a pouch, too, and we would all match. Smart kid.

So even though he won't touch a doll sling with a ten foot pole, the concept of baby wearing has been ingrained in his way of looking at things. This is really what we want, isn't it?

Ok, so you have read about my days of being a work at home mom as far as the kiddos, but what about the business part?
There is a lot that comes with having a business based on what your product looks like!
It is so hard trying to pose for pictures when your photographer is either a 4 year old standing on a step stool or a cranky husband with more important things to do.
You know the saying, a picture is worth a thousand words? how about one? "Hurry, take the pic while he is smiling!"? Ok, so that is 7 words, but you get my point!
I had several slings that were ready for sale, but I didn't have good pictures for them. You will always know when I am having a hard time getting good ones because the slings are draped on my old ladder!
Well the ladder just does not sell a sling like a cute little blonde happy baby!
So there are many things that come into play while trying to get good pictures. For one, I actually have to get dressed and put on my make up, another is that I have to get my husband to agree to take them and the other is that I have to have a well fed playful baby.
So I get dressed, plan to go outside, only to find that it is like 20 degrees below zero. Ok, so it was not that cold, but close to it! I need to find a place inside. My house is a wreck from us moving and I do not have a good blank background.
Well, you gotta make do with whatcha got, use a door!

How I Figured Out Back-Carries...

Much like carriers were invented to fill a need, positions were, too! I must admit, with my first son I was a fairly boring ring slinger: hip/front carry and the occasional cradle hold. I couldn't even nurse in it (not that it is an easy feat)!

Well, with son number two, my need to be hands free increased. I found it was really hard to dig for worms and enjoy my oldest son's third birthday bowling party with the baby in a front carry, so on the back he went!! I was leery about it at first, but with trial and error, I found ways to make it work!!

Some tips I've figured out: start with the rings behind your shoulder so that by the time you shwoop your babe to your back, the rings rest in the middle of your chest. This isn't' a padded portion of my body, so I've found that tucking the tail under the rings makes for a comfy and functional ride. Also, to tighten the rails, lean forward slightly so that baby's weight is on your back. Pull the slack of the rail to the rings, then pull the tail with ease. Always bend from the knees! Unlike a two shouldered carry with a mei tai or wrap, your baby can unexpectedly re-shwoop back to the front! (Leaning over on laundry day resulted in a startled baby swinging around my side into a laundry basket!)

All the directions on websites are starting points. Not the "be all, end all" of sling positioning by any means!! A sling is an aid to help you bond with baby and survive daily life, so experiment! Invent! Don't be afraid to meet your needs! (Just make sure that they are fully supported and not in danger of falling out into laundry baskets!!)

Oh, and if you are wondering... I got a spare!!

Early Babywearing: The Straight Facts

Who doesn't have a Baby Bjorn? It is the one thing that I HAD to have for my baby shower. I thought it was the neatest thing, to carry your baby on your body like that. On Pearl Street Mall (in Boulder, Co) on any given day daddies are walking up and down the street soothing their babies to sleep in the Bjorns. So, I thought for sure it was the way to go.
We later found out that it is better for a baby's legs to wrap around your body than straight down. Since then, we use a wrap or a mei tai for two shouldered carries. These are also much more comfortable in my opinion.

I mean, yeah, Elijah is sleeping peacefully here, but does he really look comfortable?

The Zoo
I went to the zoo yesterday. It was such an interesting experience...I haven't been there since I was a child. I have a new perspective seeing all of the animals in captivity. It is an emotional experience, seeing animals that would normally explore a large domain being kept captive in such a small area. Are they happy? They could be, I just don't know.

What was most poignant was the mother primates with their young. They were so tender and loving. I felt an instant kinship to them. They were protecting their babies by keeping them close. They never once set their babies down. Their babies ate from the comfort of their mother's chest, interacted with the world from there and basically got everything they needed just clinging to mama.

No wonder we wear our babies.

And the winner of a brand new Cat Bird Baby Fleece Mei Tai Cover is...Tamar Gutman!
Congratulations Tamar on the fabulous new addition to your babywearing collection!
Made from supersoft and incredibly warm Malden Mills fleece, this cover's top flap just snaps down over the top of your mei tai. Tie mei tai on as usual, tuck in baby's feet, and you're good to go! Covers are 100% polyester; outer layer 200 weight Malden Mills fleece, inner
layer 100-weight MM fleece, and 100 weight, gently elasticized foot pocket.
Polyacetal resin snaps. Machine washable and dryable.

Check in Wednesday for the next fabulous giveaway. You are really going to love this one!

Put em' Down!
Go ahead, he is sleeping and your back needs a break. No, really, he will not suffer if he is not on you 24 hours a day. As a new mother interested in attachment parenting, I was so ready to wear Elijah all day long. As a result I didn't get the time I needed for myself. I remember him being a month old and constantly looking at him sleeping in the bassinet while we ate dinner with my parents. I was worried he would be scarred in some way because I wasn't holding him enough. Ha! Really, ha! This baby just might qualify as one of the top ten most loved babies in the world and I was worried that laying him down would hurt him.

Note how easy it is to just lay them down after they have fallen asleep in the sling.

Also note this awful print on his papa's sling. Adam picked this fabric out, I swear. I call it "Lizards on Acid." I think I still have enough for one more if anyone else has a husband with funny tastes. And, as an added bonus, it reverses to BRIGHT yellow.

Chapter 3

Life as a WAHM is very interesting to say the least!
Some days are fantastic! Some days the kids are calm and quiet; you get a chance to sew and have time to take a shower; but some days are not so glamorous.
Take Wednesday for instance, the kids were overcoming a short spout of being sick and were on some sort of energy highs.
We are in the process of making a huge move and I have so many things to do, besides ChicKen ScRatch. It seems like it has been forever since the house was clean?! Everyday routine stuff gets done, basic cleaning and dishes, but laundry is a thing of the past! Here I still sit, in the same clothes, gross I know huh?!
Well, I decided to take the morning and clean. I was in a great mood just thinking of having a clean house!!! Well, I got side tracked. I saw fabric and had to sew, it’s like an addiction. Some people are addicted to buying carriers and I am addicted to making them!!!
I was sewing lightening fast! I completed 2 slings and left the 3rd one on the ironing board to finish up later.
I wanted to cook a home cooked meal because it has been forever since I have done that!!! I was rummaging through the fridge and freezer, wondering how long it’s been since groceries were bought, when I glass hit the floor, not shatter, just hit and a splash.
You know how when you hear a familiar sound such as that, your brain goes through like an image library of what could have happened? I had about 5 different things going through my head and then I realize it was the sweet tea that I set down on the end table. I slowly enter the room, as I dreaded seeing what happened, and I see my son sitting in a pool of sweet tea, splashing it around.
I immediately put him in the bath tub, diaper and all, no water, just a place to contain him while I clean the tea up. I asked Ashlee to sit by the tub and make sure that he doesn’t try to escape.
I grab the towel off of the shelf and go running to the puddle. The towel is entirely soaked and so am I!
I return to the bathroom to see Thomas hanging out of the tub, head first, doing his best to climb out. Ashlee just sits there with an innocent look on her face and tries to tell me that she didn’t know he was getting out?!?!
Okay sure!

And then there was yesterday. It was surprisingly successful! I completed the 3 new slings that I was behind on designing; I had a very good business day with orders and even got to play with the kiddos! I sat down in the floor to take a break and throw the football to Thomas. Ashlee stepped in to get in on the much needed attention too. She stood up to roll the football to Thomas and he stood up and took his first 3 steps to her!!! I was right there! I got to see his first steps!!! It was as awesome as the first time he said mommy or gave me kisses! It was such an enlightening moment! What if I was sewing or catching up on chat with friends or helping a customer with an order, I would have missed it! I would have missed the first wobbly steps, I would have missed the excitement on both of their faces!

So being a WAHM is not the easiest job, but it does allow me to be at home with my children for all of the “firsts” in their lives, there to kiss the boo-boos and there to give hugs when they need them! No other way would I be able to see them grow and no other way would I be able to do what I love!

Enter Now!
Only Three Days Left

CatBird Baby Giveaway!

The weather outside may be frightful, but that's no reason to give up wearing
your mei tai!

Introducing the CatBird Baby Cover Up, a fleece mei tai cover.

Made from supersoft and incredibly warm Malden Mills fleece, this cover's top flap just snaps down over the top of your mei tai. Tie mei tai on as usual, tuck in baby's feet, and you're good to go!

Covers are 100% polyester; outer layer 200 weight Malden Mills fleece, inner
layer 100 weight MM fleece, and 100 weight, gently elasticized foot pocket.
Polyacetal resin snaps. Machine washable and dryable. One lucky winner will get to have this snuggly carrier cover for winter. Just click on the link below and your baby might just be a little warmer next week!

****Click here to enter****

I thought this was a fitting picture for this post. My oldest son, Sterling took this photograph (he's three going on ten). So many times, we get wrapped up in what we think our children need, that we forget what they really need. Not sure? Give them a camera for a few minutes and let the unbridled snap-happiness reveal their true passions!! Within moments, Sterling had filled the memory card in the digital camera, and what did he capture? Books, Mommy, Daddy, his brother, his cars, the ceiling, the floor, markers, and his couch. For real; that's all he took pictures of.

Things like this remind me to get back to basics. All they want is what is important to them in their very small world. Everyday, I try to take what I think I want to do with my children that day, and strip it down until I'm at the root of what I want to share with them or what they want to accomplish. Last winter when Royal was a newborn and too small to take into the cold, I would bring a bucket of snow inside on a towel to play with Sterling. He didn't care that he wasn't bundled in layers and layers and immersed in a snowbank- he just wanted to make a snowball. That was what he wanted. I was meeting his need in the simplest way possible.

In my experience, children don't miss the bells and whistles and batteries. They don't need the big contraption that plays ten different tunes; they just need to be held. After they've developed roots in your arms, give them wings in the world. Play is children's work. It's how they experience life and how they learn. It might hurt, it might not taste too good, but it is what it is in all it's glory. I try everyday to get back to basics. I gave my children life, I want to give them the experience of life, too, and sometimes that takes a little inventive mothering and a bucket of snow!

Babywearing Love

Nothing is better than the babywearing love between papa and baby. I mean, are they in love or what? Eljah gets to look up at his papas's face whenever he wants. And Adam gets to bond with Elijah after a long day's work. Even that cat wants to get in on the love'n. If anyone's husband/partner is still on the fence about baywearing, then push him off-onto our side! I am going to scope out my favorite manly baby carriers and get back to you. If you have any favorites, send me the link at babywearing.blogspot@hotmail.com

Thanks mamas!

One leg out: okay or not okay?

Well, I think it is okay. Let them stretch a little. Yeah, they love being smooshed like in the womb but they also need to stretch those little limbs. Elijah is a regular yogini most of the time. He is known to do back bends in his sleep. So I say, as long as they still feel secure, let them hang out a little.

Mostly though, I couldn't resist posting yet another picture of fat little Elijah. He is eleven months today (wow!) and getting so long and thin. Hard to believe this picture was taken just a few short months ago. Bittersweet for sure.

Hi! I'm Jess! I am a young-ish mom to 2 wonderful boys (Jackson 2.5 years old and Quinten 4 months old) and happy wife to Larry. When I first was introduced to babywearing it was really a matter of survival parenting...me...just needed to survive till the next day. And before I knew it, it was a way of life. Little did I know that two and half years later I'd be the owner of a well-versed stash and people would listen to me when I talked about slings!

I'm not really "granola crunchy" but I'm not exactly soggy oatmeal either....I'm probably something close to Honey Nut Chex (right after you poured the milk on). My older son loved to be in a sling...he spent a good portion of his first year of life in a sling.

Then just over a year ago I found out I'd be expecting our second child...I wasn't quite sure how I'd manage that one. But...oh yes...babywearing would be my answer! And boy was I right! My littelest one loves being close to his mama just as much as the big one.

So what have I learned in the past 4 months of slingin' 2 kids? Not only have I been able to care for my young baby while still taking care of a very active toddler, but I haven't missed out on any time bonding with the baby. It's the best of both worlds...chasing a toddler and nursing a baby...all at the same time. And when big brother needs a little extra cuddles and love...I can carry him as well. So while it may still seem to be survival parenting...its MY way of parenting! 

A New Business Avenue

Today started as any other day. (Well, my husband was home so it was a little different.)
I woke up to the sounds of a crying baby and me begging for just a little more sleep.
I decided to let my husband sleep in and give myself some time to catch up on my emails and general chat.
But today was Doom's day. Today was the day that my prices would increase.
It has been stated on my site that prices would increase after January 1, but I really hated to do it. As a business owner, you want your products to sell, but you also want to feel compensated for what you are making. My prices were fairly low for the fabrics used and the details incorporated. So today was the day that I dreaded coming, but knew that it must in order for me to continue growing in my business.
I prepared for this day for weeks and I knew exactly what my prices were going to be. I had everything in order and was ready, but had a sudden change of heart. I decided to compromise with myself and not increase them with my original plan.
So I finish my site, add a few products and reluctantly update the new prices, but I decided to have a sale to ease customers (and myself) into the new prices. (I know, I am going in circles)
But anyways, in order to get instant exposure for the sales I generally post my sales on The Babywearer. However, today I was faced with an obstacle that I hoped to never come across.
Someone had the same design as mine! I automatically had a sickening feeling overwhelm me. I had the cold sweats, the pulsating heart and the sweating palms. What do I do???
My immediate reaction was anger, then heart break and then reason.
I simply emailed the vendor of the product and explained how important it was for everyone to remain unique and individual. After all this is something that I work very hard on and it sets me aside from all others. (This is something everyone wants, no one wants to be the same.)
Here I was, on pins and needles, awaiting a reply and I receive one very quickly.
The racing heart and sweaty palms come back to haunt me.
I read the email, and my heart slows, my palms dry and I smile. She was very apologetic and very professional! She vowed to make changes and even said how much she admired my slings!
Wow! So I wasn't going to have to gear up for WW III! Oh yeah, man, I was so happy!
This just goes to tell you that there are still business owners with integrity and respect for others. This could have easily turned into something dreadful, but did not due to 2 people's professionalism and respect.
So Thank you to all of the fellow business women that we love, respect, compete with and admire. It is because of you that we all succeed!

Here is to a New Year of success and respect!
Thank you!

Smooshy Baby

Ever wonder if that little guy of yours is way too smooshed in that pouch? Are people always coming up to you and asking "Isn't he uncomfortable? and "How can he contort like that?"

My response always is "Well, he was like that for nine months, wasn't he?"

Photo: This was an irresistible photo opportunity. Elijah, all squeezed in the pouch sling, comfy as he can be and sleeping. Make sure you look at the photo for a second if you can't understand what it is exactly :) I love the fat rolls. Nothing better than a fat baby.

Part 2 of Chapter 1
Ok, so you found out how my day was before 10 AM, wanna know how it was after that?
After kissing the boo boos away from the in-the-house-bike fall, I was able to begin some work!
I decided to set everything up in the living room because I needed to keep an eye out of my 4 year old evil kneivel.
I had 4 almost complete slings lying on the back of the couch with the precut accent fabric on top, rail trimming with it so that I could just grab it and secure in my little assembly line. I finally get through with one sling and turn around to grab the other, and what do I see?
About 50 packages of trim in a line, forming a train. They were circling the couch, the Christmas tree that is still up and all of them had barbies sitting on top as if they lounging in beach chairs basking in the sun; Oh the life of a barbie! I snatch them up and try to sort them by color and size and place them with the correct sling, not an easy task. I finally get this done and have everything in it's place; AGAIN. I sit Ashlee down and I am forced to entertain her with turning on Dora the Explorer. I go back to the ironing board, singing the theme song to Dora, quoting what Backpack says and ready to go.

I get about 5 minutes into piecing the slings together and my son wakes up from his nap. Now what am I going to do? I have 4 slings on the couch, a hot iron plugged in, my daughter calm and contained and now I have to put everything away and start over again.
Duh! Hello woman, you make slings, why not use one?! So I sling him and put him on my back. I get back to ironing, trying to deal with Dora and Diego in the background and Ashlee begging for popcorn and Kool Aide. How will I ever get these things done? I just grin and bare it!

I sit down at my sewing machine... I have this grand idea to sew sequins on a sling for a really eclectic look. I must sew this while the idea is still fresh! Here I am trying to make this straight and Thomas is pulling my hair as he is trying to watch what I am doing. I complete the sequins and it is anything but even... I now have to find the seam ripper; I say "find" because nothing is ever where it belongs. I sit down at the computer table where my ripper usually is and it is not there, of coarse. I decide to take a break and email a friend I haven't talked to in a long while. She laughs at me for losing the sacred seam ripper, leaving me no choice but to use the dreaded knife!!! AHH! (Oh and by the way, that is a huge no no)

So, the stitches are ripped out without harm (huge shock because that never happens when using a knife), but where on earth is my fabric glue? I have to secure this down before I sew... where has it gone? Oh, found the seam ripper, of coarse, but still no glue... Oh well, I will wing it! I take Thomas out of the sling and have Ashlee entertain him for just a few minutes. (And yes this is where I gave into the popcorn)

The sequins are sewn without flaw and is now complete! Thank Goodness!
But I still have 3 more slings and a customer on her way to pick up hers. So much to do and no time. I look at the clock, it is 2:00! I am not showered, the house is destroyed with remnants of fabric, trim scattered again and we still haven't had lunch.
So I rush to fix PB&Js, pretty much inhale them, take a shower (and bathe Thomas again) and get the house clean.

Everything is done in the nick of time, she is here! What? and so is my husband??? Oh thank goodness, maybe he can watch the children while I do what he calls "that slinging thing stuff"!
Ok, so he can't watch the children, he is covered in mud and I don't even want him in the house!!

I visit with my customer, have everything done and then my husband drops a bomb shell on me! I have 45 minutes to be dressed and ready to go to dinner with friends? Is he kidding me?
I run frantically through the house, trying to find something to wear other than sweat pants and a tshirt, make up? where is my make up? I haven't worn that in forever! I finally get ready and the kids are not dressed, no diaper bag ready and he looks at his watch and gives me "the look". You know the one, "We are late and it's all your fault, why aren't the kids ready?!"
So I explain the need of help and I actually get it! We are only 20 minutes late, must be some kind of a record!

So my day is complete, seams are ripped with knives, hair is literally pulled out, customers are happy, and 1 sling is complete! While I may not have met my personal goal of 4 slings for the day, I was able to get 1/4 of that done and I find it to be a complete success! Now off to dinner we go!