...and the Winner Is

 

The Maya Wrap!

 

Thanks so much for all of your wonderful advice on babywearing devices. After careful consideration, I've decided that I would try the Maya Wrap. I wound up getting the purple one with light padding. It's been washed and hung out to dry and I have a friend coming over one night this week to quilt with me as well as help me figure out how to wear it comfortably. No doubt a mother of eight who makes her own wraps and slings can help me out. I'm looking forward to it!

Baby Wearing Mamas...I Need Your Help

This is a post where I'd love your input. You see, as we're approaching the birth of our fifth child, we've been so blessed to accumulate everything we've needed for our babies. We've been given clothing, shoes, hats, toys, furniture and much more. We've had baby showers for the first three and with having our fourth, Isaac, we didn't need anything really. Occasional disposable diapers, wipes, a baby monitor I picked up at a thrift store, etc.

 

With this sweet babe, I've slowly been checking through things we might need and there's not much. I've checked through my nursing supplies, baby clothes (oh, so cute to look at again) and have come to the conclusion that we don't need much. One thing I would like to accumulate for this wee one though is a baby carrier for newborns specifically.

 

We have the following three carriers...

The Baby Bjorn

 

This one was given to me by my sister after her baby. Although it does fit a newer baby in it, I've tried putting a newborn in it and am not crazy about it, neck support-wise. A big thing I'm looking at in our future carrier is a nursing hands-free ability. With 4 little ones to tend to, it's nice being hands-free, especially out and about. I've always recommended this carrier for ages 3 months to about 1 year.

 

 

The Mei Tai

 

The Mei Tai was also a gift and I love using it. It's VERY handy and quite stylish if I may add. Again, I hesitate to use a newborn in it though as you have to bundle up their little legs inside (not dangling out) and I always wonder if they're being crushed as I go about my duties. It's a very snugly carrier though. I recommend it for babies 4 months to about 1 year as well.

 

 

The ERGO

 

This is the third carrier that we splurged on when Norah was born. This is my favorite and although I can't wear it pregnant (won't fit around my expanding waistline), it fits our babes the longest. You can supposedly wear a newborn in it (with an insert), but when I tried this with Norah, it was a hot day out and we had quite the scary moment as I thought she had suffocated in it. Praise God, she was fine, but the carrier was pretty hot and we decided to wait a bit longer until wearing her in it again. The support in this carrier is amazing, placing it all on your lower back and not upper back/neck (like the Baby Bjorn does...always have to have Rob adjust and pull down the cross in the back). When baby hits about 7-8 months and you feel comfortable, you can place baby on your back and that's the age when I can really get things done. My favorite carrier to garden in and baby stays very entertained! Plus, Rob will wear it since it's not a girly, frilly color. (We have the black one.)

 

Here are the two carriers I'm contemplating and would love your advice on...

The Moby Wrap

 

This carrier is a long piece of breathable cloth that has multiple ways of carrying. Supposedly, you can nurse baby in it as a newborn. Anyone tried this one?

The Maya Sling

 

This one intrigues me as it has extra cloth to cover while nursing. What makes me nervous is that I've heard you have to do some adjusting to find a good fit and get comfortable while holding baby, but that it's great for newborns laying in the sleeping sideways position.

 

If you've tried either of these two carriers and have a preference, or you've heard good/bad things about them, please leave a comment and help a fellow mama out.

 

Random Thursday Pics

Here's some broccoli from our garden. We were blessed with a decent crop this year. Nothing to brag about, but enough to eat and then freeze some. The great thing about broccoli is that once you pluck the main broccoli head, you can continue watering the stalk and it will produce little bits of broccoli afterward.

I found this sight after I returned from grocery shopping last weekend. The two of them were just hanging together outside.

"the girls"

Rob took this one (obviously) :)

We live near a lake and there's always noise whether it's geese, parrots (there are a ton of Quaker parrots that have nested in the palm trees around our neighborhood and they are LOUD) or just the breeze. It's peaceful.

Babywearing...Baby Facing Outward Unsafe?

So, I've been looking into another babywearing "device" called the ERGO. I'm trying to sell back my knock off Mei Tai due to the fact that there's no padding. My friend has the ERGO and says that it's amazing. It helps spread out the pressure that most carriers can put on your back. In reading about the ERGO, I found this article HERE and became a little worried about Norah being in the Baby Bjorn. From what I've read (again, these are just comments and only info. from one doctor), it can be bad for baby's hips, hindering walking. Others have said that when an infant is too young, carrying them "outward" isn't good because it allows baby to be stimulated to all surroundings, even ones that can be intimidating or scary. Now, although this is something to consider, Norah LOVES her outward carrier. She coos and "talks" while she's in it. I carried Avy and Lincoln in it, but not nearly as much as I carry Norah in it and both other children were walking by one year and had no problems.

The ERGO carrier doesn't allow baby to be faced outward at any weight or age. I'm wondering if this is going to work for her. Note-to-self, look into return policy just in case! =)

Babywearing Week

Apparently, it is national babywearing week or something. I've been reading THIS BLOG for the past few months and the author has some great "stuff" on babywearing. She has six children (4 boys and twin baby girls) and has quite the stash of babywearing supplies. To be honest, I LOVE wearing my babies (Rob does too...he has a backpack for when they're older), but carriers can be quite expensive. I do look at a local kids' consignment shop for carriers (only if I have credit there), but never find the good ones. For good reason, no one wants to get rid of their good carriers. They sell them on E-Bay or give them to a good friend. So, they're hard to find. Especially since babywearing in the US hasn't been around for that long. I do love my Baby Bjorn and knock off Mei Tei.

Any other babywearers out there? Be sure to check our her blog for some great pictures (she's a great photographer) and good tips on wearing your little ones. =)

I Won!

I'm so excited because I won the bid on E Bay for the Mei Tai baby carrier! I can't wait to receive it in the mail and try it out. I carry Norah around all the time and my back and arms are starting to ache. Should be here this week. I'll have to let you all in on how I like it.

This is a picture of the exact one I won. It's got a cute black and white pattern.

Babywearing

Having had three children, I can honestly say that I love babywearing. My sister gave me a Baby Bjorn after having Avonlea and it's made it all the way to carrying Norah around. My friend Ashley also let me borrow a Maya Wrap and a Mobi Wrap, but those didn't work out so well...too hot! Well, I've decided that I need a bit of an upgrade from my Baby Bjorn since it's looking a little old. I have my eyes on a Mai Tai that I would LOVE, but they are EXPENSIVE, so I found one on E Bay for $5.00 that I'm bidding on (free shipping too!). If I don't get that bid, I think I might attempt to make one (gasp). Anyone ever tried making one? If so, you must let me know and give a sista' a tip or two. =) Maybe I'll get one for my birthday (hint, hint sweetie!).

I did find this cute, new blog that's all about babywearing. Try it out HERE.

Happy Friday everyone! Enjoy your families this weekend. =)