the babywearing series | confessions of a baby carrier hoarder

Part 7 of 8 of the Babywearing Series.
Guest post by Melissa of Hi, Baby.

toddler in the ergo

Babywearing comes in all sizes around this house; Tim wears Stella(2) and Rowan(4) in the big manly packs, like the hiking Kelty kids or the Ergo since we bought it in black/maroon. Mommy wears just Stella (Rowan? ouch.), in whatever suits my mood, outfit, or the temperature outside, which means I have the Moby, the Ergo, the Kelty, Peanut Shell sling, or the Bjorn (well, not for over a year) to choose from.

While I am sure either big sis would stand right up and volunteer to wear Stella, they stick to their doll sized Moby wrap or the occasional stuff of a doll into a backpack. You could say were baby carrier hoarders.

I would be lying if I said I didn’t do it a little just because it is trendy – but trendy is trendy cause it works, and why argue with that logic? And plus also, it is convenient, relationship building, a good workout is some cases, the only option on some terrains, and how cute are some of the carriers available today?

On a good day, I promise I will forget to transfer the stroller from one car to the other – I learned my lesson years ago and always either keep our compact Moby in my diaper bag or the Ergo in the trunk of my van. The Bjorn is in Tim’s car, but ow – so that is always a last resort when the squirmy toddler MUST be contained. Speaking of strollers though…when Stella was first born Rowan was still a force to be reckoned with; she was too old to waste money on a double stroller but too young to always be allowed to walk in crowds on her own, so sometimes I babywore out of plain necessity. I could easily strap Stella on and then navigate the crowds with Rowan in the stroller.

babywearing the peanut shell

Let’s get real here, I have three kids, t-h-r-e-e, which means bonding time is precious and hard to come by with any one of my kids. Finally, I got it right with Stella and learned I could have her as close to my heart as possible and in optimal mama snuggle position with the Moby and still have two whole hands free – one to cook dinner and the other to french braid Rowan or Zoe’s hair – this was a epic discovery for me!

We’re hikers, campers, go-see-do’ers and that leaves little room to pack bulky strollers. Being able to fold up a baby carrier and tuck it into the car for quick convenience reinforces for us why we feel ok about spending a little extra money on a good carrier here and there.

Hiking with our Kelty has become a favorite, with all its adjustments it provides a great hike and an even better workout with all the resistance of carrying a child up and down a mountain side. It usually goes Tim carries it up, I get to carry it down. Such a good husband.

daddy babywearing a toddler

So now that I have rambled on about, what really? Bottom line, babywearing rules! It isn’t for everyone and I think it is a lot about finding the right carrier that fits you comfortably, but I think everyone should try it at least once. I have gotten tons of friends hooked on the Ergo by loaning it out, it is always love at first wear. Thanks for listening to my babywear rant!

###

Dear friends, I hope you’re enjoying this babywearing series so far. Tomorrow is the last day AND the link-up!! For today, please make sure to say hello to Melissa and visit Hi, Baby. (Thanks Melissa!!) How about you? Are you a baby carrier hoarder? Do you have carriers and wraps tucked away into your trunk and stroller basket and diaper bag? (I totally do!)

 

P.S. We are camping out bush all this week! That means unplugged, baby!!! No internet, or even phone access for me. (Crikey!) I’ll do my best to respond to your emails and comments when I return. 🙂

Join our Babywearing Carnival tomorrow!!

Do you have a post on Babywearing – why you love it or which is your favorite type of carrier or maybe just a photo post of you wearing  your little one? At the end of the Babywearing Series, I’ll host a link-up for you to add your link. Prepare your post (or freshen one up from your archives) and keep your eyes open for it to go live tomorrow on Saturday, March 10th. Please use a text link or the image below on your carnival post.

Babywearing Series on the Mommyhood Memos

About Author

Adriel Booker is an author, speaker, and advocate based in Sydney, Australia who believes storytelling, beauty, and the grace of God will change the world. Adriel has become a trusted voice in areas of motherhood and parenting, Christian spirituality, and global women's issues. She's also known for her work with the Love A Mama Collective—serving under-resourced women in developing nations through safe birth initiatives—as well as her years spent as a Bible teacher and leadership coach. Her latest book is Grace Like Scarlett: Grieving with Hope after Miscarriage and Loss and she's made the companion grief journal available for free. Find Adriel across all social media platforms at @adrielbooker or sign up for LoveNotes, Adriel's 'secret posts' that aren't published anywhere else online. ✌️

9 Comments

  • Emily @ Peck Life
    10 March 2012 at 3:52 am

    Such a great topic! I found you from Melissa. 🙂 I love baby-wearing! We had a not so good carrier when my son was first born and around 7 months, I finally made the investment in an Ergo and will never go back. I can’t wait to use it from the beginning with the next one! 🙂
    Emily @ Peck Life recently posted..Feeling MintyMy Profile

    Reply
  • Mahina
    10 March 2012 at 9:28 am

    I love babywearing and have gone through three different carriers! I just did my post about the three I’ve had and my favorite! Thanks for this series.
    Mahina recently posted..Project 52:10 | PeacefulMy Profile

    Reply
  • Rosilind
    10 March 2012 at 4:54 pm

    Man, I am so behind on reading blogs and commenting. But I wanted to comment on this series. What a helpful series it is! There is so much I want to say – but instead of clogging up your comments, I’ll write something short about it and link up today. BTW, I am enjoying your other blog, too. Totally need to clean out my Reader and comment more often!
    Rosilind recently posted..A Card for Grandma and a Link Up PartyMy Profile

    Reply
  • Rachel
    10 March 2012 at 8:23 pm

    where do we link up, Adriel? Its the 10th and I don’t see a ‘linky’ thingy?
    By the way, Melissa — can I tell you just how happy it makes me to see daddies wearing their babies!!!
    Rachel recently posted..the very manly art of baby-wearingMy Profile

    Reply
  • Lindsey Whitney
    11 March 2012 at 12:47 pm

    I’m such a baby carrier hoarder too! I love having options. My youngest is getting pretty heavy now though, so I think our carrying days are numbers. Sad.

    p.s. Can you teach me how to do the linky thing?
    Lindsey Whitney recently posted..Reflecting on the YearMy Profile

    Reply
  • Adriel @ The Mommyhood Memos
    13 March 2012 at 9:56 pm

    Thanks again for your post Melissa! I think that it’s hilarious that you’d consider yourself a baby carrier hoarder. i suppose I ended up being one of those too… accidentally! 😉
    Adriel @ The Mommyhood Memos recently posted..the practice of being present by baking cakes and playing chaseMy Profile

    Reply

Leave a Reply