Celebrate IBW 2013 - Babywearing through the Seasons

This week we celebrate International Babywearing Week 2013.  This year's theme is "Get Carried Away!"  In today's post, Pamm tells us how you can Get Carried Away no matter the season.

 

Babywearing makes loads of sense in the mild climates of fall and spring, but some parents ask if it is too hot to wear baby during the summer, and the answer is no! Babywearing can actually help you stay in more tune with baby’s temperature and hydration needs than other methods.

 

This past summer, babywearing helped us brave the crowds during a busy 4th of July Parade, and made a cozy nap spot in the midst of a lot of stimulation.

 

Babywearing kept us hands-free everywhere from the public bus in Virginia Beach to flying kites on the Jockey Ridge dunes in North Carolina.

 

On the beach, the Wrapsody Water Carrier (borrowed from the BWI library) helped me get baby fed and napped without leaving the fun of the shore.

 

We wrapped up our summer adventures with a morning harvesting potatoes at Great Country Farm where, once again, the ability to get one or the other (or both) of the kids up saved the day and kept the fun going.

 

Now that fall is in full swing, we love wearing our boys on evening walks, to pumpkin patches, and during yard work.

 

When winter hits, there is no need to stop babywearing. Wearing is a great way to keep baby warm and cozy and to closely monitor baby's temperature and needs. 

 

When baby is in a front carry, a large winter coat or maternity coat can fit over both wearer and child.

 

 

In a back carry, each person can wear their own coat or you can share a special babywearing coat. (We have a Suse’s Kindecoat.) Such coats are even great for spring showers, when the seasons change yet again.

 

 

 

Posted by Pamm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Babywearing at the Farm

When I found out I was pregnant with my 3rd baby, I was thrilled that my girls (then
almost 4 and just-turned 5) were old enough to understand who would soon be
joining us and to be excited about bringing baby brother along to experience all
the things we do as a family. I also wondered how our busy life with activities and
school events and family trips would change when we added a new little one. I
decided early on that babywearing would have to be an integral part of our daily
loves, and I am so thankful that I did!

Babywearing truly has opened up a world of possibilities for me and for our family.
Since my oldest, Katelin was a baby, we have been trekking out to Loudoun County
to the Great Country Farm several times a year for a day of outside, seasonal
fun. Depending on the season, we go to play, pick pumpkins, berries, peaches, or
Christmas trees, listen to music, pet some animals and have a picnic. When Austin
was a couple weeks old last fall, the girls started asking when we could go to “Our
Farm” and pick pumpkins. What’s a newly-nursing, c-section-recovering mama of
a 3 week old newborn with two active, enthusiastic big sisters begging for some
family tradition-making to do? Strap on a baby carrier and head for the mountains!
And so we did. Things were a little different this time, mama and baby stayed
behind in the car for a bit upon arrival to nurse and pump- a new experience of its
own. And then I nestled him securely in his new carrier, buckled it on, and off we
went to join the fun. He spent the day snug and warm and happy where I could
monitor him up close, and we didn’t need to worry about pushing a stroller through
muddy fields or heaving it onto a tractor and holding a wiggly newborn in my arms
on a bumpy tractor ride. I could join my girls in the crowded, vine-y pumpkin
patch- hands free to help them pick the best ones! And of course, take pictures of
memories that will last a lifetime.

And so a new tradition was started, and we have returned to “our farm” several
times during Austin’s first year. We picked strawberries on a warm, misty day in
the late spring- a day 4 year old Natalie remembers fondly as the day we ate lots
of berries and then ran for the tractor through the fields when the skies opened up
and rain poured down. Austin enjoyed all the fun in a nice, cool solarveil carrier on
my back. He was a part of the experience in a way that would have been impossible
in a stroller and I was a part of the girls’ experience in a way that would have been
impossible pushing a stroller on the outskirts of the field or trying to carry him in
my arms.

When summer rolled around, we returned to the farm to pick peaches and
blackberries. Once again, baby brother got to see and feel and taste the peaches and
berries while perched on mama’s back. His sisters kept him content with frequent
juicy samples. He had a bird’s eye view of the farm animals and he loved seeing the
cows and pigs and goats. We even watched a mama goat give birth on that visit!

And when we returned again last weekend for the annual pumpkin-picking ritual,
on a perfect chilly fall day, baby brother was again with us in his safe, warm cozy
spot on mama’s back. Able to see everything just as everyone else could, he was
content to take it all in. This time, I could hear his sweet babbling as he made animal
sounds and talked to his sisters. Babywearing made for a much more enjoyable day
at the farm on this blustery day, where babies in strollers were cold and fussing.
The girls talked to him and told him about the tractor ride and which pumpkins
we would pick, and he watched the bonfire (from a safe and secure distance) while
sisters roasted marshmallows.

Our days at the farm in the past year are just one example among so many of how
babywearing has allowed our family to grow and experience things together in the
past year that would have been so much more difficult or impossible without it. And
for that, I am thankful!

Farm Fall Fun!

If you’re looking for a fun, outdoor activity for your family this fall, you may want to consider checking out some local farms.  Our family recently spent the day the spent the day at Clark’s Elioak Farm in Ellicot City, Maryland.  Babywearing definitely came in handy, as we quickly found that much of the ground not very stroller-friendly as we were either in grass or on unpaved (dirt or gravel) paths.

We noticed that one family created a bit of a dust storm trying to move along a gravel path, then stopped for a break. 
 
We started our visit in the enchanted forest.  Your children are apt to enjoy the stations that illustrate some of their favorite fairy tales like Goldilocks and the Three Bears, 

Humpty Dumpty,  

   
Cinderella,

 
the dish running away with the spoon, 

  
and the crooked man with the crooked house. 

If you’re carrying your child in-arms rather than in a carrier, you can find areas to stop for a break and to give your arms a rest. 

  

You can also relax a bit while your children roll down the hill along with Jack and Jill.   
 

After a visit with the fairy tale characters, we spent some time with the animals.  You may decide to go inside to pet the chickens and goats.  Our family opted to see the goats and sheep with a bit of a barrier in between us and the cute animals.   We did, however feed them.

  
We didn’t go on the hay ride, but you may decide that it’s worthwhile to use it for a spin around the farm.   

There’s also a neat picnic area with a tree house and a train.  There’s food available for sale, and you’re also allowed to bring your own food.  There’s even a separate area for birthday parties.  

Of course, when it’s all said and done you can’t forget to spend time picking out some pumpkins to take home with you.  We decided that the pumpkin patch was a good place for me to unwrap our daughter and to hang out a bit.

    
I hope you and your family can find a farm that you’ll enjoy this fall.  Now I’m off to bake some pumpkin bread with the pumpkins we chose. 

Posted by Cynthia

Fall Fun at the Renaissance Festival

Fall brings about some fantastic activities for the family.  Many of those activities are a perfect compliment for babywearing.  One of our favorite family fall activities is attending the Maryland Renaissance Festival.  The Festival is located in Crownsville, MD and is a fun family day out.  There are plenty of activities for kids of all ages, from face painting and hair braiding, to henna tattoos, massage (including prenatal), throwing "pointy objects" as my husband says, and enjoying the work of a wide variety of artisans.

The ground at the festival is mulched, graveled, and dirt.  There are some VERY large hills, and very uneven ground.  It is definitely not terribly stroller friendly.  Baby carriers shine in this environment, and I was stopped a couple times and asked about my carrier.  My husband got to give an impromptu mei tai tutorial as well.  This is a place to bring your BWI/TBW cards if you have them because you very well may be asked about your carriers.

We recently went with another babywearing family and we all had a great time.  My husband and I both ended up wearing a child as our 2.5yr old was a little frightened of the stilt walkers.   The girls had a lot of fun.  They enjoyed seeing the horses in the joust (the state sport of Maryland), they had fun trying to shoot the cannon, and checking out the elephants (you can ride them too!).  They tasted local honey, saw wood being carved, and slid down a HUGE slide.

As we discovered with our middle daughter needing to be worn, situations that are frightening or unusual for children can be diffused by putting them in a place that they know to be safe.  Mom or dad's back is a safe place to observe a new place while growing comfortable with it.  It's also a great place to be able to ask questions about what you are seeing.  Mommy, why is that man wearing a skirt?  Daddy, what is a joust?  It's also fantastic as an adult to see the festival through the eyes of your child.  My husband and I have been going for years, and so there are some things that we have stopped noticing.  It is interesting to see those things again with the wide eyes of youth.

And when it all becomes too much, mom or dad can be a great place to take a nap.  I saw so many parents carrying exhausted children, even sleeping big kids in their arms.  All I could think was, "boy, they could really use a carrier."  Leaving a carrier around your waist or in your bag for emergency use with a big kid can be much easier than trying to push a stroller around all day "just in case" for overtired children. 

I highly recommend the festival as a fun outing for families.  It has something to interest every age, has boy and girl appeal, and is definitely an experience outside of the everyday.

Posted by Ann Marie

Seasonal Wearing: Autumn Pt.4

The conclusion of our series brings us to the end of October and Halloween. The ritual of costumes and trick-or-treating is a family activity that is enjoyed by toddlers through teens. Parents with an infant and an older child are often left wondering how to take the older children out while bringing along their infant. A carrier can be a great help with this, but it can also provide the chance for some fun costuming choices. The carrier can be the costume: two-headed monsters, a monkey on your back, Luke carrying Yoda all come to mind. The carrier can also help showcase a costume just carry a sleepy baby.

Last year I fell in love with the Little Bo Peep and her sheep costume idea. I thought it would be completely adorable to dress the girls this way, and while they were young enough to go with my ideas, I felt I had to take advantage. Well, once the costumes were bought and the professional pictures done, I was left wondering… how does the sheep come trick-or-treating? She couldn't walk yet, and carrying her in my arms the whole time would be awful. I actually don’t own a stroller, so that option was out. I finally decided on using a ring sling. Be aware, this carry is NOT a recommended method of using a ring sling, I kept hands near her at all times in case she popped out, but I also knew my baby well enough to know she wasn’t squirmy. In this manner, we all enjoyed a short tour of the neighborhood, and the neighbors got to see the full genius of the Bo Peep and Sheep pairing.

However you choose to include babywearing in your Halloween, it can be an important part of helping the whole family have a safe and fun evening.


Babywearing tip: Making a costume from your carrier doesn’t have to be expensive. A piece of fleece cut right and a couple fun hats could make a 2 headed monster. A pair of ears, a tail and the reverse of a brown strapped carrier (or a brown wrap) could make a monkey. Use your creativity and get out there!

Seasonal Wearing: Autumn Pt.3

Part 3 in our series brings us to a fabulous fall activity of hiking. The proximity of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Skyline Drive to our area can provide some gorgeous fall colors to enjoy on a hike, but even short casual hikes in local parks like Great Falls can give a taste of the great outdoors. Wearing your child makes it possible to hike over ground that is ill-suited to stroller use. As a family activity, it allows the parents to continue an exercise they enjoyed prior to having children, and share their enjoyment with their children. A morning at Great Falls with my infant last autumn provided me with a chance to try out my new camera and attempt to get some pictures of the trees, the falls, and one terrible over the shoulder shot of baby asleep on my back. We enjoyed the fresh air and got a little sunshine before the cold of winter would drive us inside. Even a bike ride for the preschooler can become exploring in the woods if dad has baby in a carrier.

Babywearing tip: for long hikes, parents should choose a carrier with great support that spreads out weight across their body. A supportive woven wrap, soft structure carrier or supportive mei tai are good choices for hiking. Many people will be more comfortable wearing their child on their back. Until you become comfortable with hiking while wearing, stick to trails with clear semi-flat paths and always be aware of where your child is and what might be able to bump him.

And who said it’s all about fun? You can get fall chores done while wearing too! Raking the leaves is a tedious chore, but you can get it done with baby along. And then if your toddler decides it’s time to jump in the leaves, well… who said work couldn’t be fun too? If you’re concerned about baby becoming cold, there are many inexpensive options for keeping little one and yourself warm on a cool fall day. A large piece of fleece can be cut to make a poncho to be worn over you both, an oversized coat can be buttoned around baby in a front carry, and for the crafty among you, a cheap coat from the thrift store can be modified to become a babywearing coat. There are also several brands of babywearing outerwear like the one I’m wearing in this picture. However you choose to stay warm, keeping your little one snuggled up with you while doing mundane chores makes them a little less tedious.

Babywearing tip: Be aware of where the rake is at all times, you do not want to accidentally poke your little one and you want to be aware of overly zealous “helpful preschoolers.”

Posted by Ann Marie

Seasonal Wearing: Autumn Pt.2

At the local farmer’s market, you’ll notice autumn has arrived because local apples are available, tasty, and gorgeous. But for some people, buying those local apples isn’t enough, they want to go out and choose their own. Apple picking is a harvest time activity that is well suited to babywearing.

From an adult’s front or back a toddler can reach the trees and participate in apple picking instead of watching from a stroller or the ground. The adult doesn’t have to exhaust his or her arms lifting the toddler up to the trees if he or she is wearing the toddler at the right height. This activity can become a family tradition that children will recall every time they bite into a juicy apple.

The tradition is strong in Carolyn’s family where you can see her picking apples with her older daughter as a toddler proud of her apple treasure. Then you can see her son as an infant last year and a toddler this year. Her son was able to explore the tree and the leaves easily from his vantage on mom's back. Now that he's a little older, he not only gets to help pick, but he can catch a snack back there too! The chance for each child to experience the fun of apple picking from mom’s back is important to Carolyn's family.









Sara’s children are also taking advantage of having baby worn while the family goes apple picking. Sara is able to carry a large basket of apples while also caring for her toddler and infant. This would be significantly more challenging with baby in arms or in a stroller.

For those with older children, if you’re feeling ambitious, those apples can go home for an afternoon of apple cobbler baking involving the whole family. There is nothing as special to a child as making a meal or snack with ingredients they picked themselves. And your little one can continue to participate while being worn. Be sure to keep little hands away from knives and hot ovens using hip or back carries and enjoy your harvest bounty.

Babywearing tip: choose a carrier that you don’t mind getting apple juice on… because every smart toddler will want to steal a bite or two of the gorgeous fresh apples you’re picking.

Posted by Ann Marie
Photos courtesy of Carolyn and Sara

Seasonal Wearing: Autumn Pt.1

Autumn is a wonderful time of year to get out wearing your baby or toddler. There is a new world opening up to them for exploration. After the long, hot days of summer, the air is turning crisp and the leaves are beginning to change. You can use babywearing to share this glorious change of season with your little one. This week, we’ll explore some ideas for how to use your carriers to get outside and experience the season with your little ones.


One fun family outing in the fall is a visit to the pumpkin patch or other fall festival activity. This is a great place for children to participate in games, hay rides, try fresh cider, and depending on your location, visit farm animals up close. However, the terrain at many fall festivals is uneven and difficult to traverse with a stroller. It can make an otherwise fun day a test of patience and strength. But, with a good carrier, your child can be up high enough to see everything and you can walk around where you like without the burden of the stroller.

Last fall my youngest was about 9mo. We went to the Pumpkin Patch at Cox Farm and enjoyed a fun family day. My 3.5yr old was able to play on the slides, we took a family hay ride, we fed the pigs, danced to Rocknocerous, and my little one even caught a nap on mommy’s back. Without a carrier, I might have missed out on sitting at the bottom of the big slide and watching my husband and daughter ride together because I was stuck with the stroller, but with baby snuggled on my back, I was in the middle of the action.

This year, my little one is a toddler and I’m 7mo pregnant. When we went to Cox Farm a last week with friends, I used my carrier to contain my toddler when she decided that watching the mommy smuggling a basketball chasing her up hills was a fun activity. Having her on my back also helped me share her excitement at seeing the sheep and telling me they say, “Baa!” And wearing a toddler on your back can also help keep little fingers off the germy walls and floor when the pregnant mama needs to use the port-a-potty, AGAIN.

Babywearing tip: Events like this with toddlers lend themselves to carriers that allow a lot of quick ups and downs. A Mei Tai, Soft Structured carrier, or Ring Sling might work best. With an infant that will not want up and down, a wrap may be cuddlier on a cool day.

Posted by: Ann Marie
Thank you to Heather for additional photo.