Still Proud to Be a Babywearing Momma

Lately there has been a lot of buzz about babywearing and most of it hasn't been good. Slings in particular are getting bad press because of a recent tragedy of a baby suffocating while in a sling. A few years ago a certain brand of slings issued a major recall because parts were breaking and babies were falling. Even my mom has been influenced by the latest media blitz on slings. She called me this week telling me that I was NEVER to wear Avin in my moby wrap again because it was too dangerous! It took forever to get her calmed down and properly educated about babywearing but she finally settled down and decided that maybe it would be OK to keep wearing him. (Gotta love moms "letting" you do things with your own children!) The point is that a lot of moms who are unfamiliar with babywearing or new to babywearing are going to react the same way to this negative media. As smart, educated babywearing momma's we have to spread the word that when properly used slings, wraps, and carriers are perfectly safe for babies and actually provide a lot of benefits.

Babies who are worn often cry less, are more comfortable and secure feeling, and often fall asleep while being worn. Parents who babywear find that they can be comfortable keeping their baby close for long periods and are not as restricted in what they are able to accomplish. They also feel good about themselves because their babies are happy and content. For mothers who breastfeed, babywearing is especially convenient. Most slings, wraps, and carriers allow for a mother to breastfeed while on the go with little exposure. That is great news for momma's with frequent eaters or who may be shy about feeding in public.

I hate that any parent experienced the loss of their child but to put a ban on all babywearing as a result would be like banning beds and cribs due to SIDS. Yes, precautions should be taken but most slings are still a great choice. Not every type of sling, wrap, or carrier works for every person. I personally don't use slings because I am a plus size, large breasted momma and I've never found a sling that allowed me to comfortably carry Avin without feeling pregnant all over again. I love my Moby and it has been great for both my husband and I to use while wearing Avin. Don't be afraid to experiment with different types of babywearing devices to find what works for you. Yard sales and online classified such as Craigslist are great places to find carriers, wraps, and slings at heavily discounted prices. Your local cloth diaper or baby stores can be a great help in choosing the right carrier for you. Lots of shops hold babywearing workshops to allow you to try different carriers and to educate you on how the different carriers work. I encourage you to attend one if you haven't already!

I will be continuing to wear Avin because it works for us. I'm still proud to be a babywearing momma! I welcome curious glances and questions about "What is that?" because that means I get the chance to educate one more person.

Moby Wrap Babywearing Review

The condensed version of my review of the Moby Wrap is: I love my Moby Wrap!!!
The Pros:
Comfortable for a large chested plus size Momma
Versatile fit for both my husband and myself
Multiple ways to wear your baby
Avin always falls asleep in it!
Provides head support for sleeping babies
Keeps wind off of babies face and ears
Allows me to lean and bend without endangering Avin
Reasonable Cost
Allows you wear your baby completely hands free

The Cons:
Can be hard to put
Usually requires adjustment if you take the baby out and replace him
Can get super hot during winter
Long, sometimes drags the ground when putting on
Loses support as babies weight increases



Read on for more details about how my Moby Wrap helped make me a babywearing momma:

None of the slings I've ever tried were comfortable because when coupled with my large chest they all made me feel awkward and pregnant all over again. When I tried the Moby on in the store I was amazed at how comfortable it was to wear. I walked around the store with Avin in it while clerk talked to me about carrier styles and types. Avin settled right in to the Moby Wrap in the store and was about to fall asleep. I was sold! I shelled out the $40 to buy a standard black Moby Wrap. When put on properly it is very snug and creates a comfortable, supportive area for your baby that can be adjusted to several different holds and even hands free breastfeeding! Your baby can be worn upright, cross ways, facing out, or facing in. I really like that if your baby falls asleep while facing in you can adjust the back panel to cover the back of their head and provide support. It is also great for cold or windy climates because you can adjust it to cover your babies ears and head while still allowing them to breath. Avin almost always falls asleep in the Moby. I wear it out shopping or when we are going to be walking outside. The design of the Moby helps to distribute your babies weight across your entire back so it is very comfortable, even for extended wear.

I can't imagine ever using another carrier for Avin's but I know soon he will outgrow the Moby. Because the Moby is just one big piece of fabric, as a baby gains weight the fabric can begin to sag and lose some support. Also, because of the stretchy nature of the material if you have to take your baby out and put him back in while wearing it a lot of times you have to completely take the Moby off and put it back on because it gets stretched out. The biggest downside to the Moby is that it can be somewhat difficult and confusing to put on. I had to go back to the store for help the first time I attempted to put the Moby on alone. Now, I usually put mine on at home before heading out to avoid dragging the long ends across dirty floors or parking lots. The stretchy cotton material is not heavy but on very hot or humid days it can cause you to heat up quickly due to your baby being pressed against you and you being wrapped in so much fabric. The upside to that is that it allows you to take advantage of your body's natural heat to keep your baby warm during cool months.

What type of baby carrier made you a babywearing momma?