Babywearing is a Family Affair!

 

 

 

I was fortunate to grow up around babywearing. My parents added two babies to our family when I was a teenager, and I not only watched my mother wear them in a ring sling and my father occasionally carry them in a backpack, I wore them myself at times.

So when I became a parent myself, the use of slings and carriers seemed like a natural option. I've worn both of my kids since they were newborns. When my older brothers and their wives started having kids, they also embraced babywearing, making us a whole family of babywearers.

We recently had the pleasure of hosting our kids' cousins (and their parents) for week. Everyone had a great time, but the question might arise:  How do you keep up with six kids age five years and under-- including three one-year-olds-- when the kids outnumber the adults and you're touring the DC area for a week? Answer:  babywearing!



On a few outings, we brought one stroller that some of the kids took turns using. But we always brought lots of carriers. During our visits to the zoo, a farm, monuments, museums, a festival, hiking trails, and more, the ability to put a child on one's back while chasing or helping another child was invaluable. Babywearing allowed us to explore and have a great time together while keeping a large number of children safe and content. I look forward to many similar adventures in the future.

Wearing a Happy Camper!

 

As summer gets into full swing, it’s a good time to talk about yet another leisure activity during which babywearing is very useful:  camping. My older son was almost two the first time we took him camping. I didn’t wear him much around the campsite, but when he was too excited about being in a tent to sleep, putting him on my back for a walk around the campground came in handy, and of course he rode there for portions of hikes when he was tired or drop-offs were nearby.

Because her brother had already developed a deep and abiding affinity for camping, our daughter’s first camping trip occurred the day she turned four months old. When my husband and I began camping with two children, I really began to see the benefits of babywearing in a camping setting. In no particular order, here are some of those advantages:

1. Babywearing gives you somewhere to put the baby while doing all the things camping out requires— erecting the tent, preparing food, tying up hammocks, gathering kindling for the fire. Aside from the tent itself and baby carriers, we bring no baby-holding devices on our camping trips—no stroller, no bouncy chair, no portable carseat. This not only cuts down on the amount of paraphernalia to squeeze into a car already full of camping gear but also gives the baby a close-up view of all the action

 

2. Babywearing at the campsite keeps older babies and toddlers safe from potential hazards. Although our daughter is not quite mobile yet, I can see this being a huge advantage in our near future. Wearing the baby can keep him or her safe from darting into the road or crawling too close to the fire.

3. Babywearing allows you to interact more fully and easily with older children. If the baby is secured in a carrier, the parent has both hands free to help an older sibling roast marshmallows, play a twilight round of hide-and-seek, catch fireflies, or read a bedtime story.

4. Babywearing allows for more adventurous activities at your camping destination than might be feasible with a stroller or a free-ranging toddler, such as hiking on uneven terrain, wading in streams, or taking in the view from scenic (but potentially dangerous) overlooks.

5.  Babywearing allows the baby to feel safe and secure in a setting away from home. Even at an early age, infants are observing the world around them, and camping out has many differences from eating and sleeping at home.  Being close to his or her parents while experiencing new things, such as listening to birds, peering into a campfire, or swinging in a hammock, can of course be accomplished without baby carriers, but they do make it more convenient. Wearing can also help babies settle down and fall asleep more easily, despite being in an unfamiliar setting.

All in all, we continue to love camping and hiking with our children, and babywearing greatly contributes to the ease with which this can be accomplished.

 

 Posted by Genny

 

 

IBW2013: Workout Wednesday!

When you are a busy mom but want to fit in exercise, babywearing can help! Just doing some basic chores around your house can turn in to even more of a workout when wearing your baby. There are also some basic exercises you can do while wearing. When it comes down to it, just having that extra weight attached to you is going to amplify the fitness level of everyday activities.

Here are some things to keep in mind: As with any babywearing scenario, you should make sure your carrier is properly supportive for you and baby and that baby always has proper positioning. Avoid stretchy wraps when focusing on exercise as they may not provide enough support while you are doing some more strenuous activities. Baby can be on front or back for many of the activities.

 

One great way to get moving is to turn on some music and have a babywearing dance party! This is especially fun when you invite the whole family and other babywearing caregivers to the party! Most of the commercial in-home DVD dance workouts can be done with a baby in a sling. Or go for a hike or a brisk walk with baby in tow!

 

The nice thing about wearing your child is it puts you in a great position to squat. You and baby should always stay upright when squatting. When you squat to empty the dishwasher or pick things up off the floor, for example, you are getting a great lower body workout. You just want to be sure that you keep your hips back as you squat and don’t let your knees go over your toes. (When you squat, think of sitting back in a chair) Vacuuming and sweeping/moping the floor can allow you time to snuggle your babe while you get moving.

 

I think that bouncing my kids to sleep in a mini squat position really helped tone and shed the baby weight. We bounced all over, all hours. That was the preferred methods for getting my second child to sleep-to bounce him until he started to doze off and then transfer him to his bed. And the great thing for us was that anyone could easily put my little guy to sleep with the help of a sling!

Now if you really want to focus on some exercises while wearing, you can try the following exercises:

Squats (as seen above)

Leg lifts: front, side or back

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plié

 

Lunges

 

So, get out there and enjoy a weight bearing workout with baby!

 

Editor's note:  Reminder that all activities should be low/no impact.  Baby heads are fragile and impact activities like running could result in shaken baby syndrome.  Always use good judgment when engaging in activities with baby. 

Posted by: Gwen
Photos by: Gwen and Kit

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