Baby . . . . . you wear it well . . . Pt 1

That's right babywearing is the new black !!

 Cam Gigandet, of Twilight fame, enjoys a day of shopping with a sleeping Everleigh Ray in a pouch style carrier

I had already passed along the biggest-pram-in-the-world before I had Rosie.
I knew I would need someway of getting around with the baby and a very active 3 year old Cam but didn't really know what to do.
I looked at a few lightweight buggies but it just didn't feel right and that left me feeling a little unprepared for Rosie's imminent arrival.

I hadn't really thought about a baby carrier as I'd had a terible Tomy one that I had to take off after 5 minutes of putting Cam in it as it dug into my shoulders and put a lot of strain on my back.
I mentioned it to a friend and she suggested maybe I just needed a different type of carrier ?
She introduced me to the Moby Wrap
I fell in love with it right away and she actually bought me one of my own in red (my favourite colour) as a new baby gift and it's still the best present I have EVER received.  


I tried it on all the time, practising all the different ways to wrap it round your body to make sure I would know what I was doing but I really didn't need to worry as it is so simple to wear and comes with a booklet full of step-by-step photos of how to tie it for the stage your baby is at.  It can even be used with twins !!

 Me and a sleeping Rosie in our Moby Wrap


I was overwhelmed by the freedom it afforded me.
I could wrap up Rosie nice and snug, clip on my lumber backpack nappy bag (We'll come back to this don't worry), and be hands free.  
I could comfortably hold hands with Cam as we walked along, even give him a piggyback sometimes.
I could carry the shopping at the same time too (or pull along my shopping trolley on wheels - we'll come back to this too !).
I could jump on any bus, not having to wait for the special lowrise ones or have to take the baby out and fold up the buggy whilst wrestling a toddler into a seat at the same time.

Me, Cam and Rosie enjoying a day out at Edinburgh Castle 


Simply put - I can't recommend them highly enough, it literally changed my life.
I did wonder if I would get people staring or saying unkind things but in my experince people's reactions have been very positive (although you probably know by now when it comes to how I parent the only opinion I need is my own).
I have had several people ask me where I got the wrap (I should have been selling them !), some who just wanted to know what I had hidden inside when Rosie was sleeping, and people who were surprised I was actually breastfeeding in front of them and they didn't even realise.


But by far the most comments I received were when I had Rosie in the carrier but we were both covered by my beloved babywearing poncho.
It gets pretty cold here in Fife towards autumn time, and can be very windy.  I wanted to find something to keep us both warm on the coldest days, but hadn't found anything apropriate.
Then I was lucky enough to find some internet forums for babywearers.

One of the ladies had a friend who was from rural Peru where carrying your child in a wrap, or manta as they are known there, is a traditional practice.  
She had knitted a couple of poncho's designed for babywearers to try out a pattern and her friend offered to sell them for her.  I was lucky enough to snap one up for £35 (far less than commercially available babywearing coats).
It is the most beautiful clothing item I have ever owned, lovely grey alpaca wool, so soft.
We were both snuggled up warm on the way to take Cam to nursery each morning and looked great too.
You don't have to pay for taking the babywearing route by look like a crazy woodstock throwback, it just takes a little research (I'll share more about other carriers and coats avaiable soon). 


I know some people will be wondering if it's comfortable for long periods of time, or if it causes back problems and the simple answer is no - not if you do it right.
I have scoliosis (curvature of the spine) and have never experienced any discomfort whilst wearing Rosie in the wrap, even for full days, even now when she's 2. 
Take care when putting on your chosen carrier and in positioning your baby and you will be fine.  
If you have tried one of the buckle covered, big brand, strappy carrier and have given up on the whole idea - WAIT - look around on the internet and see what else is available. 
Many online baby carrier stores even offer a rental system so you can try before you buy (understandably you will be required to pay a deposit, refunded upon return of the carrier).  
Try them out and find what works for you, and I guarantee you WILL find something for you and your baby, and you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner.