I
began babywearing in 2003 when my daughter, Bella was born. My purple
Maya wrap was undoubtedly the best baby gift I received. I found
babywearing a natural step in parenting. It helped me bond, meet her
needs, and was an aid in nursing when we were out. Two years later my
son, Declan was born, and wearing him had the same advantages. However,
my husband deployed to Iraq for 13 months and I had a toddler to keep
up with as well as care for an infant. Babywearing took on a role of
necessity in my parenting. Declan lived on my left hip in his sling.
When my third child, Henry, arrived in 2007 it was again only natural
that I wore him. He expressed a need to be carried longer than my other
two children. At the time I found a carrier that was made for bigger
children which offered toddler and preschool sizes.
My
youngest will be five in two short weeks. Babywearing’s role in my
family life is slowly coming to a close; however there are still times
when it meets my children’s needs. I still keep a few carriers in the
back of my car to lend out or to use in emergencies. I am thankful for
this when my youngest is asleep when we get to the store. I can toss
him on my back until he wakes up enough to get down and walk or ride in
the cart. Recently we arrived at the store to find he did not have any
shoes on: babywearing to the rescue. Another time a friend gave my son
a cute pair of shoes that did not fit him, but he wanted to wear them
on a day I needed to get all three children new clothes. After an hour
he finally asked if he could be worn because his feet hurt. I was able
to finish shopping because he was comfortable. 
This
summer we went blueberry picking with friends. Declan, who recently
turned seven, became too hot and tired and wanted to leave. Our friends
and his siblings were not ready to go. He asked me if he could get
Henry’s carrier out of the car so I could wear him. I agreed and he
snuggled on my back and we all finished picking blueberries and enjoying
the day.
While I no longer have a baby to wear every day I can still occasionally use babywearing to meet my children’s needs. Even though it is not the same as wearing a small baby, there are still carriers and techniques one can use for older children. In those circumstances, babywearing, even with older children, is a powerful parenting tool.
