It's [still] Empowering

Wearing my baby.

We wore Cillian all the time his first few months, and still regularly once he was mobile.
But lately, with him walking, it feels like forever since we wore him daily.

Enter the past 2 weeks.
I don't know if it's the massive teething he's doing or what, but the boy has not been napping well, sleeping horribly at night, and more cranky than usual. He's usually not cranky, he's so good-natured.
It's been impossible to cook dinner, he gets into everything of the boys, then they whine, and it's a cycle that's not fun to be in.

Lightbulb moment: wear him.
Again.
Just like when he was younger.
(except now, on my back)

Boy has the Beco been a lifesaver! I've been wearing Cillian on my back, and it's empowering.
It gives me that "I can do anything!" feeling.
With Cillian on my back, he can't mess with the boys, and he is happy because he's being held.
I'm cooking dinner while wearing him.
Putting away laundry.
Playing with the boys.
Heck, it was adorable...they were running in circles on the trampoline, and C & I were running around on the outside of it, alongside them. We were all cracking up.
I'm able to do homework with Aidan while Cillian is on my back, dance with him...

It's so empowering.
I forgot just how empowering babywearing can make you feel.
To be able to take care of your baby, get things done and take care of the older kids...it's a good feeling.

Babywearing Week, Post 2

Ok, so I came across this site and couldn't resist making one for myself. ;)
It's a lot easier to dress a cartoon character! lol
I actually made two, because I was having too much fun to stop at just one.
Here is the other one:
Ha! So there is my babywearing love for today.

Momcessorie, Momma Love

It's International Babywearing Week!
I wanted to join in on this because I truly do love babywearing. I never wore Aidan (my oldest), and it wasn't until he was a running-around 2 year old that I started to learn more about it.
I owe big thanks to Steph, too. I started reading her blog regularly, and she introduced me to the variety of carriers available. :)

It's crazy to think that when I was pregnant with Brennan, we were trying to decide on which one carrier we'd get. We decided on a Hotsling, and we loved it.
But we quickly learned that the different carriers truly offer other opportunities. A generous friend gave us her Moby Wrap, then later her EllaRoo. Just recently I won a Mei Tai. Look at us now...4 carriers for our collection! :)

My husband and I both used the wrap the most. Brennan would fall asleep in their so quickly, and I found the wrap to offer me the most hands-free option.
I was fortunate to meet with a babywearing group, and there I tried on all the styles of carriers.
The one I don't have that I will add to my collection with the next baby is the Angelpack. Loved that, and couldn't believe the comfort level with that carrier. If that's not within our reach, I'll go for a BECO.

Here are (probably too many) my babywearing pics! Thanks for stopping by and letting me share. :)

Brennan sleeping in the Hotsling at a baseball game

Even our oldest (here 3) wanted to be a proud daddy!

This is the Mei Tai I won. I'm wearing Brennan here at a wedding reception just 3 weeks ago.

Again with the Mei Tai, November 1, back carry.

We even made the paper! (take note the caption is incorrect, though. This is a sling, not a wrap)Looking back on the fact that my first was a colicky baby, I wish I had learned about the benefits of babywearing sooner. Most of all, babywearing is truly not just beneficial for the baby. It is beneficial for the mom, too. Win-win.

Happy Babywearing!

I Won!!!

Andrea hosted a contest to win a Cuddling Baby Mei Tai Baby Carrier, and I won!
I am so stinking excited. :) I've wanted one since Brennan was maybe 2 months old, ever since I tried one on at a NINO meeting.

I haven't worn Brennan in a long time-he much prefers to run around. But there are still times he could go on my back (or Pat's), and I am looking forward to trying it out. After all, most carriers can hold up to 40 pounds, so toddlers are comfortable in them, too.
If I get it in time, I'm thinking Aidan's next field trip would be a great start. (October 16th!)

Thanks so much to Andrea for hosting the contest, and to Cuddling Baby for the Mei Tai!

(visit her blog for tons of great contests & giveaways!)

Top 10 Attachment Parenting Challenges

This put a smile on my face. :)
Here's to all you fellow AP moms & dads.
Enjoy!

By Caity McCardell

Being a parent who labels herself an Attachment Parent (AP), I follow Dr. Sears' prescription: Wear your baby, sleep with your baby, nurse your baby, and tend to your baby - for as long as they want you to. This parenting style goes against modern Western tradition, which includes letting a baby "cry it out," weaning from nursing or not nursing at all, having baby sleep in a crib, and leaving baby alone in a playpen. I love my choice to parent with intuition and connection, but it comes with its trials. Following are ten AP challenges I've encountered so far… 10. Trying to explain how a baby carried in a sling will, indeed, learn how to crawl, walk, dance just like babies in strollers. 9. Feeling something's wrong when there's no one attached to my boob. 8. The Questions. On top of vegan-related questions ("is it really healthy to raise her vegan?"), people just naturally have questions about AP practices. "When are you going to wean her?" "When will you put her in her own bed?" "When are you going to put her down?" I should design a t-shirt that simply says, "When the baby wants to." 7. Public Displays of Boob (PDB). Nursing while grocery shopping, baby gets distracted, resulting in PDB. 6. Waking up shivering with half my body off the bed, next to baby and husband both splayed out with arms and legs outstretched, like sleeping jumping jacks. 5. AP Competition. "I've been wearing John for five days straight, nursing the equivalent of 20 gallons of milk and have mastered the art of changing his diaper in the sling!" "Ha! That's nothing! I just hiked Mount Shasta with Suzie in the sling, nursing her the whole way while dictating my book about the pros and cons of co-sleeping." 4. AP terminology. I'm not really "attached" to by baby; she nurses before she needs to "demand" it; and "co-sleeping" just sounds so academic. 3. Those fleeting feelings of doubt about this parenting style. Could she really crush me in my sleep? What if she doesn't wean until she leaves for college? Can I still call her vegan even though she drinks milk? What if after all this work she hates me? 2. Trying to convince my husband that I do really need a blue sling to match my blue dress… and a slick black sling to go to that wedding… and a white sling for summer… 1. And the Number 1 Challenge About Attachment Parenting. Those times when I feel so… well… detached.

We were in the Paper!

Brennan and I. :)

Last month at our NINO meeting, our local paper sent a photographer there to snap some shots. We were told there was going to be an article on babywearing and natural parenting. Exciting, right?

I was there for group shots, and the photographer also got a few of me wearing Brennan. And we made it in the paper! I'm wearing him here in my Hotsling.

We were looking forward to the coverage, but the article was much different than we were all led to believe. Not necessarily bad, but we were a little disappointed. It generally covered ways to soothe babies over all. And yes, babywearing is a huge part of that.

Regardless, it's kind of cool that Brennan has already been in the paper, and he's only 3 months old! I'm saving a copy for his baby book. ;)

Here is the article online. For whatever reason, our picture was not featured online as were some of the others. Some online were also not featured in the actual physical paper-go figure!

(oh, and PS...not to sound picky, but for anyone in the market...this is not a wrap as mentioned in the caption. This is a sling/pouch. A wrap is a different style carrier)

A Babywearing Story

So often when I am wearing Brennan out in public, I feel like a star.
It sounds corny, but it's true! I feel I get a glimpse of what the celebrities lives are like, with all the attention and stares...(OK, maybe that was an exaggeration!;)

Yesterday my wonderful husband surprised me and took the afternoon off from work. We have a busy weekend, so I was super excited.

We headed out to Kohl's for our first stop. Brennan was asleep, so I actually just left him in the carrier for the store. Sure enough he woke up, and I was questioning why I didn't bring in my Hotsling. We did alright, though, and I enjoyed holding him and carrying him for the short time he needed it. A few people gave us smiles, but nothing too exciting.

Our next stop was the mall, which was adjacent to Kohl's. Brennan was still awake, and I knew he'd need to nurse soon.
So out of the carrier he came, and directly into the sling he went.

We made it about 2 entire minutes before someone gave compliments. :)
We were stepping off the curb heading into JCPenney, and two older ladies had the biggest smiles on their faces and oohed & aahed about how cute he was "in that thing"!

About 30 seconds later, as we're entering the store, a few other ladies stop and just smile at him! The one woman said "he looks so happy in there!" (true), and they just said he was so cute with his little head sticking out.

I was noticing the difference in attention drawn.
No sling vs sling--people notice the baby in the sling!

The kids' play area is right near JCP. So we go over there for Aidan to let out some energy. We walk in there and I notice a young mom with a newborn. She's sitting there with her hands full; she's feeding her baby, and trying to maneuver her full-sized stroller out of the way of the running toddlers.

I admit I had a moment of pride, there. I actually had a moment where I felt like "we've got this down pat", at least for now.

We had our 3 year old who was listening nicely to us, walking by our side. Potty trained. Out of diapers, I tell ya! Using his nice manners and playing with other kids. No diaper bag needed for him.

Then we have our almost 3 month old with us. No bulky stroller to lug around in and out of stores! I was wearing him. ;) He was happy, I was sure happy to not have something on wheels with me...and people were just looking and smiling at us.

With my husband there, we didn't even have to bring in the diaper bag! He put a diaper and wipes in his cargo pocket, and we were all set. The burp cloth also fit nicely in the sling. We were truly hands-free! It was a great feeling. No stroller, no diaper bag, no bottles...a rare moment for me where I actually felt like we had things under control and it was working out.

I have to add that this mall has a fantastic family lounge. In the lounge is a family restroom, toys and books, diaper changing stations, a wipes warmer, bottle warmers, and 3 nice-sized nursing stations. Each station has a very comfy chair for the mom, a table with updated magazines next to it, and trendy curtains for privacy. I was so comfy in there nursing Brennan! Complete privacy, a nice chair; There was nothing else I needed for nursing. It didn't even feel like I was nursing in public!

Brennan ate well and started to get that tired-drunk look. I put him in the cradle hold in the sling, and sure enough, a few steps later he was asleep! He looked so cute and we were able to enjoy the outing.

I need to get more pics of me with Brennan in the sling and wrap. I'll post some soon.

Well that's my little story. I just felt so good about things at that time. I really wish I had a sling or wrap with Aidan when he was a baby!

Oh! I have to add one more thing.

This babywearing thing is addictive!

Thursday I was at our monthly NINO meeting. The topic discussion was on wraps this time, but of course there were many carriers there. It seems the mei tai is a huge favorite! I want one now. I really want one. The more carriers I see, the more I want. Too bad it's not a cheaper way of life! It's been added to the wish list. I will have it before Brennan is to big for it. (hint...)

Genius Invention-The Podonbutai!

It's easy to get hooked on babywearing, especially with great new carriers like the Podonbutai!
It can be worn as 3 different carriers- either a podeagi, onbuhimo, or mei tai!

Does babywearing get any better? :)

Click over to Steph's blog now to enter the contest to win one. Thanks to All Natural Mommies for providing the carrier!

Future Daddy?

*Future Husband & Daddy? :)(Aidan was excited to wear his "baby" in the wrap, too!)

(he liked the sling because he could manage it himself)

I can't predict what my son will be when he grows up, but lately, he indicates he'd make a great daddy. :) (He has a great example!)

(above Aidan is nursing his baby...that'll be the day!)

I know...he could grow up and become a priest or deacon, or remain a bachelor for life, or be a husband with no children...

I do pray that he will grow close to God, and that he will know what God has planned for him.

For now, though, I'll stick with my future-Daddy prediction. After all, I want grandchildren one day!

(Aidan is co-sleeping with his baby, just like he does with us!)

*OK, so here's the story. I came into the living room one afternoon and saw Aidan tangled in the wrap. I was about to get upset with him, thinking he was messing with it. I didn't want him to damage the wrap or anything. Thankfully I asked him what he was doing, and he replied, "My wear my baby in the wrap like my Daddy!". My heart instantly melted! It was so cute. He switched to the sling first, happy he could wear his baby. He still wanted the wrap, though, so I helped him out. He was so happy! It was adorable. It was one of my proud-mommy moments. As for the nursing, that was all him, too. He's even offered to nurse his baby brother! Isn't he a sweetheart?

Win a Sling!

Stephanie is hosting another contest, and this time we could win a ring sling by KimzKreations!
This sling particularly intrigues me because it "blocks the UVA and UVB rays while keeping you cool and comfortable. There is no other fabric available with the same unique features. In rigorous laboratory testing, a single layer of Solarveil blocks 75% to 80% of UVA and UVB rays, and a double layer blocks 92% to 95%. This level of protection maintains when the fabric is wet or dry. Solarveil also has excellent wicking properties, which is the ability to pull perspiration away from the skin". (Thank you Steph for that info!)

I love that. We are all fair-skinned and sensitive-skinned, too. When I wear Brennan in my wrap, he often has a heat rash for a day or so. :( Poor little man.



You can enter the contest, too, by clicking here. Good luck!

Photo Tag: Babywearing

Happy Jack's Mommy has started a photo tag for our Friday.

She wants us to share our favorite babywearing photo! Now I have to say, I barely have any babywearing pics yet, as I'm only 8 weeks into it. ;) I hope to get more, and I'll try to get one today of the type I like best, my wrap.

(I share this pic because I am actually in it! I'm wearing Brennan in my Hotsling here)

Until then, I want to join in on the tag and share what I do have. After all, it's not the carrier that makes it, but the baby inside, right? ;)

(Here I am wearing Brennan in my wrap, which we both love!)

I'm only experienced with my Hotsling and Wrap so far, and out of those two, I prefer the wrap. So does Brennan. And my dh. (he wears him as much as I do!)

How did I get hooked? Well, my biggest influence was my first baby being a colicky one. If I had worn him, I think things would've been much better. On top of that, having a 3 year old around with a newborn made me realize I had to have some way to keep the baby safe, despite good intentions of his big brother. ;) From various sites and reading (like Mothering Magazine), I was drawn to babywearing.

Out of all the blogs I read, I happily say that Stephanie has been my biggest influence. She always posts so positively about babywearing, and it's left a great impression! Not to mention I learn so many things on the subject from her blog.

Brennan isn't fully able to hold his head up yet, so I have yet to try different wearing positions. I look forward to wearing him facing out. Hopefully he'll like it!

That's it for me. Happy Babywearing, and Happy Friday!

Awesome Contest!

Steph is amazing with all her contests! The latest one...are you ready?
$75 to spend at MamaKanga! That's right, $75! My goodness, I'd love to buy many things. (And us being new to babywearing, we have a desire to try them all out!) I'd love a lot, but I think I'd start with this. After all, everyone I know that has used a Mei Tai loves it.

If you'd like to enter the contest, visit Steph's blog and sign Mr. Linky.

Why Wear that Baby?

I've been mentioning more frequently how we've gotten into "babywearing". Brennan seems to love the wrap and calms down within minutes once he's in it (usually). We also have a sling which seems beneficial, too (although I have a hunch he'll enjoy that more in the near future)

So for your interest (and posting for my own reference), here are benefits of babywearing:

- Babywearing enables the mother to be acutely aware of her baby's cues and signals and heightens her perception of her child's needs
- Babywearing reduces crying and fussiness by up to 51%, with parents feeling more competent and nurturing toward their children.
- Being in close physical contact with a parent provides a baby with a rich learning environment where all of their most important needs can be met - food, warmth, love and touch
- Babies who are carried learn more, stimulating brain development and expanding their future learning potential.
- Babywearing increases cardiac output, improves circulation, promotes respiration and aids in digestion. (huge one for us!)
- Babywearing provides the exact level and kind of stimulation an infant requires, energizing their nervous system and creating a quiet, calm alertness in the infant.
- Babywearing decreases the levels of stress hormones circulating in a baby's blood stream, resulting in a more relaxed, happy baby
- Frequently carried babies fall asleep quickly and will usually sleep deeper and for longer periods of time in the comfort of their sling.
- Babywearing develops the muscles needed for the infant to sit, stand and walk.
- Babywearing enhances motor skills by stimulating the baby's vestibular system (balance organs) by exposing the baby to a variety of sights, sounds and motion,.
- Babies worn in slings feel safe and secure which helps to foster a solid sense of self.
- Babywearing offers easy access to the infant's food source - mothers' breast milk, without having to stop or sit down.

Babywearing Thoughts

I'm new to babywearing, but so far I am impressed. :)
I am loving my Hotsling these past few days.

Brennan has become a bit fussy since Tuesday. I panicked at the thought of him turning into a colicky baby, as Aidan was as a newborn. (seriously the hardest 4 months of my life!)
So Brennan was fussing-I could tell he was having some gas pains, and he'd want to nurse but arch his back in discomfort, etc. He'd fall asleep, then fuss when I'd put him down in his swing or crib. You get the picture.
I finally attempted to master my sling again. It was just quicker than putting on the wrap (which hubby and I also really like).

I got Brennan in the sling comfortably, and it was like a switch! He stopped fussing and fell asleep. He stayed asleep, too, for over an hour! I was hands-free and took Aidan outside and we played with bubbles. It was awesome.

I am so amazed at how soothing it is for Brennan to be in the sling. Not only was he not screaming his head off, I noticed he spit up less today, too. I credit that to him being slightly more upright in the carrier. And when he was AWAKE, he was much more peaceful than yesterday. He still had his moments today, but over all, it was a much better today.

So I'm thrilled to have purchased the Hotsling. I'm getting the hang of it, and quickly learning how beneficial it is for the baby. Plus my hands are free for Aidan! How cool is that? I only wish I knew about slings when Aidan was a colicky infant. Thank God I know now.

By the way, I'm also excited because I just found a babywearing moms group in our area! They meet a few times a month and have outings. How great is that?

I've been meaning to post a picture of me wearing Brennan in the sling, but I have yet to be satisfied with a picture to post. SOON.

This babywearing thing is pretty good so far. ;)

HELP! (sling question)

My sling arrived today. :)
I'm excited, and it looks just as cute in person as it did on the website.

I've never used one before, so please help me out.
When ordering the size, it said to go by your pre-pregnancy size, etc.
Of course when it came I tried it on. I am still very pregnant and all, and I hate to admit it, but I've gained 33 pounds already. I technically still have 4.5 weeks to go.

Do you think I should wait to try and exchange it for a smaller size, until after the baby is here?
It's tight now, and it seems like I'd carry the baby in the sling pretty high up as it is now.

How high on your body is the baby supposed to be in the sling position?
I just don't want to send it back for a size 5, and then have the baby and need the size 4 again, etc.

What to do?

Ordered! (finally)

I finally ordered my sling today! :)


I've been too indecisive. I also learned that if I look at ALL the babywearing options, that makes it hard. I want them all! LOL. I want the ergo, each style wrap, each type of fabric...only my wallet doesn't permit.


So I had to end my self-inflicted misery and make a decision. I'm starting off with a baby-step--meaning, a fitted, non-adjustable sling to train on. I'm new to babywearing, after all. I'll go from here.


Check it out! This is the exact one I ordered. (not me in the picture, of course)