How I Became A Babywearing Convert

I never thought I’d be a babywearing momma. I didn’t categorize myself as a natural-momma, organic-momma, hippie-momma, or anything of the like, and I ignorantly thought those were the only types of mommas who wore their babies. I was skeptical about the benefits, overwhelmed by all the options on the market, and secretly scared of doing it wrong and hurting my baby in the process. Overall, I just assumed it wasn’t for me.

I think most women do register for or purchase a carrier, usually it’s one of the popular two: the Ergo or Baby Bjorn. I registered for the Ergo, simply because that’s what my sisters-in-law had used and as a new mom, I just kept it simple and did anything and everything exactly like them. I figured we’d use it the few times we were unable to bring a stroller around – but not that often. We also received the Moby Wrap, another popular baby carrier, but it felt like a magic trick just to get the thing on. I seriously practiced for 40 minutes with a teddy bear and still couldn’t get it right. I had seen lots of women whip it on, but I was intimidated and already overwhelmed with all there was to learn with a baby, decided that was one thing I’d skip, and we returned it. I assumed babywearing wasn’t for me, so what was the point in learning how to make it work when I already had so many other things to learn?

But three weeks into having a newborn, I started thinking it might be nice if I could cuddle my baby while still getting things done. I loved holding my son and he loved being held, but doing what we loved didn’t clean the house or put dinner on the table. Because of this, I ended up wearing my son in the Ergo more frequently than I predicted in those first few weeks, he liked being held, and I liked holding him while working around the house. But the Ergo did feel a little bulky for moving my arms a lot when he was super little, and I had a tough time getting it on when I was home by myself. So more often than not, I found myself wishing I could wear him, but choosing not to.

I didn’t really know anyone who babywore a lot, and didn’t know who to talk to about it. But it was about this time I read about the Sakura Bloom Ring Sling online. It looked simple and easy – and honestly all the pretty pictures of it they post online didn’t hurt. I was curious to learn more about this particular carrier and a few others I had seen, so I found a stockist in Edina, brought my four week old baby in, and asked them to teach me about babywearing – I was determined to figure something out.

The employees were so sweet to me, taking time to educate me on all the different types of carriers, the benefits of babywearing and making it sound normal to me. It helped so much to have an expert right there to help me learn how to use the sling I chose, and by this time, I was also a bit more comfortable with my baby, which helped too. They also showed me a couple tips for putting the Ergo on by myself, and while I came home feeling a little sheepish because it turned out to be pretty easy, I was inspired to wear Eli all over the world – er, house/neighborhood – and that’s exactly what I did. Not gonna lie, particularly with the ring sling, here were a few times I accidentally cut his circulation off (I was watching for it and caught it quickly, don’t worry!), or I made it too loose and I couldn’t figure out why my back was hurting. But I gave it the old college try, and soon enough it became super simple to pop Eli in either carrier and I found myself reaching for them over the stroller more often than not.

I surprised myself at how quickly I converted to babywearing. I hadn’t really realized it until my husband made a comment one day about how often I wore Eli, and I felt defensive about it. Wait, what? I was defending babywearing? My husband didn’t actually say anything mean, it was more of an observation really – but I realized then and there that I actually liked, nay, loved babywearing. And all it took was a little education to make it not quite so weird or intimidating.

I’d still say I have more of a moderate approach to babywearing, I have had two carriers and I have no desire to get anymore and I still use my stroller quite a bit. But there are plenty of women out there who change out carriers as often as they change their shoes. In a way, carriers can even become a part of a person’s wardrobe – I mean, check out these photos. If this doesn’t convince you that a baby carrier can be fashionable, I don’t know what will.

I’m definitely no expert on the topic, which is why tomorrow Bert’s going to be sharing everything you ever wanted to know about babywearing and all the types of carriers on the market. She’s the expert that I’ll never be – and I’m so thankful for people like her! I needed someone like her to break down the intimidating world of babywearing and make it sound normal to me. Like anyone could do it. Consider tomorrow your Babywearing 101 Crash Course. And if you’re skeptical about babywearing, or even secretly scared of it like I was, keep an open mind – you might surprise yourself with just how much you like it.