Babywearing 101...

The most common types of carriers for babywearing out there, are: Wraps, Mei Tai's (essentially a square with straps coming out at each corner), Ring Slings, Pouch Slings (just a pouch - no rings, buckles or anything), and Structured carriers (like the Beco Baby or Ergo carriers)

Personally, I loved the Wrap for when my daughter was an infant.... Ring Sling, once she got heavy for the wrap... and Mei Tai now that she's a toddler! - because it works really well for carrying them on your back (which we do primarily).

• Ring slings... The fabric of the carrier is threaded through a pair of (usually alluminum) rings. This creates a secure, yet adjustable, pouch for your baby.... ensuring a perfect fit no matter who is wearing the baby. An open tail is not only beautiful, but functional. It can serve many purposes: nursing cover-up, sun shade, and more. Ring Slings do have a little longer learning curve, but are more adjustable & versitile than a pouch is.
  
  Both of my Ring Slings are handmade. I have one of a cotton-type fabric... and one Solarveil (a very durable, yet breathable, mesh-like fabric. It blocks UV rays with its weave and treatment (70% in a single layer), and because the weave is so open, it allows for a lot of air circulation. It also dries super fast, making it great for taking to the beach or into the pool. Unfortunately Solarveil fabric has been discontiued by the manufacturer, making them a little harder to come by.)
  I have always wanted a Maya Wrap Sling, but just never got one. - Maybe with the next baby! :)
  
  
• Mei Tai.... Based on traditional Asian baby carriers, in a Mei Tai baby carrier, the baby can be worn on the wearer's back or front. The design is simple: a panel of fabric with supporting straps to go around the waist and over the shoulders. - Just tie it on, and off you go!! (Looks much harder than it is!!) Mei Tai baby carriers are easy to use and their two-shouldered design makes them comfortable with even the heaviest babies. I have the Babyhawk Mei Tai (I think I paid around $80-$100 for it), and I absolutely LOVE it!! My daughter is almost 21 months old, and 25+ lbs.. .and I use it ALL the time!!The Babyhawk has padded, backpack type straps, which I prefer.... however, some people prefer the wider, spreadable straps of Maya's Wrap's Maya Tie. Of course there are other kinds of Mei Tai'sout there... but those seem to be the two I most commonly hear about.
  

• Soft Structured carriers... Though there are others, the main two ones, are.. the Beco baby (very cute and made in USA - runs about $140) and the Ergobaby (a little sporty, looks like a backpack, is made in China, and goes for about $110 - or a little more for the organic.). I know these prices may sound a little steep... but I hear they are both worth their weight in gold - esp for heavier babies/ older babies/ toddlers. Both carriers have an infant insert, so you can start using with a newborn (note, you want to wait until your baby is 3-4 months old, before putting them in a... and you can use it all the ways up to 40-45llbs - so it will last you forever! The purpose of a Structured carrier, is to distribute the weight evenly on your hips, back and shoulders, instead of just on your back or just on one shoulder. Also I know a lot of dad's who won't babywear in a sling or a wrap... but love their SSC.
  
  Edit to add: While SSC 's look the most like the standard front carrier you would buy at Babies-R-us... they are a far cry from it! Unlike an Baby Bjorn, Snugli, or the like... where your baby's legs hang straight down, leaving your baby basically dangling from their crotch, and therefore lacking any proper support for your baby's spine & hips. (which also makes it more uncomfortable for the wearer).... a SSC is designed so the seat of the carrier goes completely under the baby's bottom and thighs, which then spreads the hips, and takes pressure off the spine.
  
  
• Pouch Sling... this is the carrier of which I have the least experience. I actually bought a pouch when KB was brand new... but it was too big. Most pouch slings are not adjustable (like a ring sling), and therefore need to be fitted and bought in just the right size, formaximum comfort. Pouch slings are very compact in size and fits slimly in most diaper bags. Some people love the quick, easy-to use, convenience of a pouch.... I was personally not a fan.
  

Anyway, that's the low down on the different types of carriers! I hope this helped some, and didn't confuse you too much! Good luck with it all! Babywearing is really not that complicated, and SO wonderful once you get the hang of it!!

"What's Your Parenting Style?"

Ok, so for kicks, I decided to take one of those Facebook quizes this afternoon. This one was called "What's Your Parenting Style?" It asked questions like: Where is your baby most seen? a) stroller, B) often in a sling or wrap, but sometimes in a stroller or C) always in a sling or wrap.....

Anyways, here is my result. As usual, there were a few things I disagreed on (duly noted) but overall found it to be quite true, and also semi-comical. What a long way I've come...

Result: Extreme Granola Parenting.

You believe in going back to cave-mom parenting styles. You tend to be untrusting of doctors (They have their place in major medical emergencies.... but in general, are followed way too blindly. I don't think they have all the answers, and definitely are swayed by the influence of the Pharmaceutical companies!) and hostile toward mainstream parenting. (not hostile, but I they do have my condolonces!) You believe cribs and playpens are prisons (lol) pacifiers are evil (not necessarily. I always offered the breast first... but as much as I hated introducing the paci... KB was one of those babes who needed to suck to soothe, and did NOT want milk to always come with it!!) and swings and bouncers are "neglect-o-matics". (they definitely can be (and usually are)... but can be useful when used in very strict moderation!) You gave birth to your kids in your own bed (Actually my own kitchen... lol!) and think hospitals are too interfering. (Amen! Hospitals are for sick people. Birth is not a illness, it's a fact of life... and other than extreme & rare cases, birth doesn't belong in a sterile hospital!) People see you as a tree hugging granola mom and might raise their eyebrows when your 5 year old asks to breastfeed. (I hope so!) But that doesn't bother you! You feel strongly about the way you're raising your kids. (Amen!) Saving the earth is one of your main priorities. You grow your own food and make your own slings, cloth diapers (if you're not doing elimination communication) and wipes. (I believe we should be good steward of the place God has given us to live. I don't make/grow *yet*... but would love to!!! However, we do use cloth diapers & wipes, eat as healthy as possible, and EC.) When people see you with your baby you're always wearing her in a sling or wrap. Your kids don't have beds because they always sleep with you and you wouldn't have it any other way. You're wary of the public school system and believe that the only way to educate your kids is to do it yourself so you can instill in them the same principles you feel strongly about. (The apple doesn't fall far from the tree!!)

I also kinda like the "Kind Of Crunchy" answer, too.. again with a few slight modifications....

"You lean more toward Attachment Parenting, natural births, homepathic remedies, and living green! You tend to question modern medicine and mainstream parenting. (explained above) You tend to delay vaccines or use an alternate schedule. (yup... like, none at all!) You aren't bothered by the fact that people tend to question your parenting style. (heeehee! - I thrive on it!). You feel strongly about the way you're raising your kids. (Amen! If I didn't I wouldn't be doing it this way!) You believe that it's our duty to make the earth a better place for our children by being more eco-friendly. (Good stewardship!) You buy organic foods whenever you can (it's all a balance!) and you use cloth diapers or seriously considered it. (I seriously do!) You've also considered homeschooling. (Planning on it!) When people see you with your baby you're usually wearing her in a sling or wrap. You tell new moms who complain about lack of sleep to try co-sleeping with baby and let them know how much you loved co-sleeping (it's awesome!!!). You believe in breastfeeding and baby led weaning, (Breast is best!) but to a point. And you'll nurse in public but modesty is important to you. (I am not going to purposely flash you... but I am not going to hide, either!) You aren't afraid to disagree with your Dr about delaying solids or vaccines. (Amen!! Solids not till after 6mos - at the earliest!!) You don't like to let your baby cry and cry-it-out methods make you cringe. (eek! ::cringe::) However, if nothing else is working you are willing to try it once the baby reaches a certain age. (A huge, No way!!) You read different books about parenting and take what you feel will work for you and your family. (everyone is at different parts of their journey... as long as you do you research, that's what's important!!) You tend to believe in trusting your instincts when it comes to raising your kids. (there is nothing like it!)"

Rant: Mainstream - NOT the only way!!

**Warning: rant ahead!!***

I really don't understand these people, who are always trying to push the mainstream way as being the ONLY right way. Or why they think they are doing me any favors by constantly trying to force their conventional methods on me & my family! It annoys me, that they think our choices & decisions are so shallow, that we will just throw them to the side for their "convenience" (or rather laziness & unwillingness to step out of ones comfort zone).... I.think.not!! ~ ARG!! While I understand that much of what we have chosen to do with our family, is beyond that of society's 'norm'.... it DOESN'T make it wrong!! And much of what we do, is "all part of raising them up in the way they should go - we try to start things as we intend [them] to go on." (yes! Well said, Kate! ~ Thanx!) So, YES, I am STILL breastfeeding... and YES, I DO breastfeed in public... and NO, I am not depriving my child, by not letting her eat sugar & crap.... and YES, I wear my toddler, just like I wore her as a baby... and NO I WON'T put my daughter in the nursery (unless I have to - again, forced!)... and YES I use cloth diapers... and NO, I won't waste my money to buy/use disposables for your convenience.... and YES, we plan to homeschool our child(ren).... and yes, we encourage imaginative & creative play, by offering simple toys & everyday items, vs overstimulating toys & tv/videos... and NO, we're NOT overly strict, mean and antisocial parents who expect too much for the age/maturity level... and NO absolutely not, will we go against our hearts, to do what YOU think we should be doing with OUR family!!

Grr....

Hathor the Cowgoddess...

I occasionally read this pretty awesome [most of the time] pro-AP comic called "Hathor the Cowgoddess"... some of which are not only inspirational, but *hilariously* funny! Hathor is a character created by an artist in LA. She is a superhero who wants to save humanity through the combination of nurture, sustainability and bonding inherent in the practice of attachment parenting. Her movement is called the Evolution Revolution, her breasts are her superpower and her sidekick is her baby, always carried in a sling and prominently (politically) suckling at her exposed breast.

Anyway, recently I read this one, and it just about made me fall out of my chair I was laughing so hard. As any avid breastfeeding mommy, I can so relate!!

(Don't think it's that funny? - you obviously haven't been there.... LoL!)

ME... Green/Crunchy??

One of the Forums I frequent, recently asked us to fill out this survey....

1. Do you recycle? Yes! Anything & everything I can!

2. Do you do anything to reduce the amount of waste you and your family produces? How about reducing the amount of resources you use? I hardly run the lights during the day, and try to keep things turned off as much as possible.... Have changed most of our light bulbs to Compact Fluorescent... Hang some stuff on the clothesline as an alternative to running the dryer.... Use reusable grocery bags... Clean using natural ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, etc... EC & cloth diaper (also make/use reusable wipes)... Donate/FreeCycle to pass on items we no longer use or need... Have/use an water ionizer instead of buying bottled water... Reuse glass jars & bottles for drinking & storing water... Buy my clothing second hand... instead of getting my license, I either walk, carpool or just don't go... (I also just got a bike & trailer, so now I can get around that way, too!).... and we hardly use paper towels any more (only for dog/poop messes!)... next to never use paper plates. (we still do use some napkins - but I want to buy some cloth & make some reusable ones - paper is just so convenient!!)....

3. Do you reuse anything to save money or waste? We have reusable grocery bags... we have a reusable coffee filter, instead of using the paper ones... we reuse glass jars & bottles for drinking & storing water.... and I try to use tupperware-type of storage, instead of plastic bags/foil/etc., as much as possible!

4. What is your ecological footprint? Do you think it has changed for the better in the last year? Don't know what it is, but I know it's changed for the better!

5. What kind of impact do you feel the "reduce, reuse, recycle" philosophy has on our lives, if any? On my life, personally, or society in general?? Society in general has become disturbingly blasé about it... but is starting to become a little more aware, as this whole "going green" movement has come about. - Personally, I feel it encourages us to be more prudent & economical with the resources of which we are blessed to have!

...and while reading other peoples responses, and I couldn't believe how many people were so blasé about the subject! Not that I believe in global warming and some of that such nonsense... but because I feel we ought to be more prudent & economical with the resources of which we are blessed to have! God has given us this beautiful earth to live on... and I feel we ought to be better stewards of and take more responsibility for it's care! 

The more I thought about it, the more the others' answers really started to bother me - until I stopped & began to think it through...... If you would have asked me a few years ago what my lifestyle would be like now, I would have never categorized myself as being green or crunchy.... A domestic goddess, yes (lol)... an attachment parent, most likely... but crunchy? uh, yeah, what's that?.. a hippie? heh, right.... However, that attitude is really actually quite funny, considering that (without the label)... I was pretty much raised by a AP & crunchy mom. From early on, we were taught the importance of recycling, not littering, good stewardship, frugality, living debt free, living simply & having a strong family unit. We were homeschooled, and taught to cook and sew simple items from a young age. Much of my wardrobe consisted of handmade or hand-me-downs, as Marmee always stressed the importance of $$ and how to stretch a dollar. She wore & breastfed every one of us, and made sure we all knew the benefits of eating a well-balanced meal. We even had times (depending on finances & stages of life) where we did all, most of, or (at least) some of the following:  ate completely healthful & organic.... shopped  exclusively at health food stores rather than  the reg. grocery stores... juiced... made our own bread.... used herbal/natural remedies (pretty much always did that, regardless of our financial state)... used only reusable item (like grocery bags)... and even managed an organic produce coop (and did so for a long time)! 

But even though I was naturally implementing many of the things I was raised with (cooking vs eating out, recycling, shopping second-hand, cutting coupons, not spending a lot of money on extravagances, etc.)... I never saw myself as anything more than the average young adult... who was newly married, trying to get on our feet. Then (almost two years later) I got pregnant, and began going the birthing center, to see a midwife for my care. It all went uphill from there. I guess the saying "When you have a baby is changes the way you see the world" is more true than I realized. Throughout my pregnancy, I was reminded of all the wonderful benefits of cloth diapering babywearing, & cosleeping... given some awesome tips... and even learned about some cool new things, like Elimination Communication & some not-so-known methods of wearing your baby - like a wrap or a Mai Tei! Then, after the beautiful homebirth of our daughter, I started attending play groups, LaLeche League Meetings, babywearing groups, & EC meetings... where I found myself being enlightened on issues much deeper than milestones, breastfeeding, ring-slings & having a diaper-free babe. I was being encouraged to research what's in things, and the impact they have on our daily lives. From shoes to plastics - cleaning to health... I have had an increasing conviction & interest in living more eco-friendly, and am finding (even a year later), the education is endless if you're willing to listen & learn!

And now, as I proceed down the road of this incredible journey... I am on a quest to discover even more practical changes (read: not extravagant - though I hope to be able to make the switch someday.... right now [unfortunately] we can't afford all new Energy Star appliances or a new, hybrid vehicle) we can make, to adapt our lifestyle to not only being economical, but also more healthful. - Some of the things I would love to begin using/implementing are: Cloth napkins, Frequenting more of the local fruit stands, starting our own vegetable/herb garden & compost pile, Get a machine & start sewing a little (things like cloth napkins!), begin regularly making our bread (& maybe even pastas - that would be cool!), and using even more alternative & healthful ingredients when cooking & baking.

Learn new things every day!

Did you know that there is actually a difference between Co-sleeping and Bed-sharing? I recently learned that there is!!

While cosleeping is defined as having baby within arms reach of you. (Some will consider co-sleeping just having the baby sleep in the same room.) Bed-Sharing is referring to having the baby sleep in bed with you.

I think when most of us say co-sleeping we mean bed-sharing (at least I do - I had heard the term "family bed" before... but didn't think of it being different than "cosleeping".) and I think a few of you probably co-slept by definition of the word, but didn't realize that's what it was.

As far as attachment parenting goes though, co-sleeping is baby sleeping within arms reach so if you did that you were practicing that area of attachment parenting and reaping the benefits suggested in doing so

IMHO, The best sleeping arrangement is the one where everyone gets the best sleep possible (safely) so that may mean baby in another room for some, but I think usually a parent will sleep best knowing baby is close by, especially in those early months.

Sarah Palin!

Seems that the vice-presidential nominee, Gov. Sarah Palin is not only extremely pro-life... but she's also a babywearer and an Breastfeeding (& pumping) mommy!!! Meaning that for at least for a few months, breastfeeding and babywearing are going to be front and center for people to see!! Yay!!

(photo courtesy of AP)

(photo courtesy of AP)

(photo courtesy of the State of AK)

(photo courtesy of the State of AK)

(photo courtesy of the State of AK)

Article: Palin Will Indeed Bring The Breast Pump

Any publicity for AP is sweet, I love it when celebs and politicians come out and show that it's great and entirely possible to keep baby close!