I have been babywearing now for almost 9 years. My journey actually starts 11 years ago when my Sister had her 6th baby. She is the research queen and found this thing called a Maya Wrap. She told me all about how Women in other countries wear their babies to get their work done. I thought it was brilliant.
When Emma was born, my dear Sister gifted me her Maya Wrap. After a bit of work, I was able to get her in it comfortably and we were off. I wore Emma around the house, to the park, on walks, to the store, walking through New Orleans and everywhere in between. It was about this time that I heard about the Ergo baby carrier and bought one for Emma. It came 2 weeks before she died and I wore her in it once, to the mailbox and back.
Shortly after I learned I was pregnant with Seth, my Sister found out she was pregnant with baby number 7. Knowing I had a hard time parting with anything I used with Emma, she let me keep the Maya Wrap and bought herself a new one.
Over the next few years I would buy another Maya Wrap, learn how to tie 6 yards of fabric around my body as a wrap, sell my old Ergo and upgrade to a new one, use a pouch sling and learn how to make my own slings.
I wear my babies everywhere we go for the first year of their lives, at least until they can walk. Then I use it as comfort when they are needing Mama, to keep them close when they are trying to run away, and as a spot where they can always run to.
And, can you believe I only have ONE of me wearing Elliott? AND, it was taken by my sister-in-law AND I was being a stinker. Oh well, we have lots of times to capture the babywearing memories that are yet to come.
What is your evolution of babywearing? How do you wear your baby?
I’m finding out all the newer moms are falling for the moby wrap. It’s all I hear, moby this and moby that. I guess I’m old school cause Im still in love with my maya wrap. That thing is at least 12 years old now. LOL
So Kim, do you still prefer the good ol ring sling? Or could I possibly be missing out by not trying one of the newer carriers?
I’ve tried the Moby and never loved it. It was too stretchy and my baby would end up at my knees before long
I am still in love with my ring sling for everyday use. If I am going to be walking a lot though, I really love my Ergo. Jeremy doesn’t like the sling and only uses the Ergo.
I haven’t tried a Mei Tai, but I have friends who swear by them.
I’m old school too. I’ve tried a lot of things, but have always come back to the the two that I started with – ring sling and Ergo.
I’ve tried a K’tan, Moby, Beco Butterfly I, and an Ergo. I hated the wraps. The baby never stayed in place. I loved the Beco when my Elliott was little. Now I exclusively use the Ergo. I love it!!
I’m wearing David in the ring sling you made me right now! Yea for babywearing!
I didn’t love my ring sling, but it seemed to be a bit different than the ring slings my friends had. It also has thick plastic rings which made it a lot harder to adjust. I loved my pouch sling. I’m thinking of investing in an Ergo (maybe my husband won’t see the price tag) and I’d like to try a moby wrap.
You gals have it so nice now-I was wearing my babies before any of you were even a thought in your parent’s minds and I was definitely the odd one-we didn’t have ‘slings’ but baby carriers that looked like a backpack. I was always amazed how much more I could get done while my babies were on my back-horray for modern technology!!
I wore all of my babies – but my 3rd the most. I loved the Baby K’tan when she was a baby and then the Ergo.
i. love. this. post. (And you.) xo