Guest post by Brandy Nichols

The very first way I learned to carry my child (other than my arms) was in a ring sling.  My husband’s mother gave me one in those very early days with my first baby.  I think I must have gone around for a year or more, wearing my sling or mei tai much of the time.  Many folks love using ring slings for getting their child up and down quickly and praise them even in the toddler years.

A ring sling is a length of cloth where one end is threaded with sling rings, folded over and sewn (very well).  The other end, the tail, is free.  It’s threaded through the rings, too, to make an adjustable pocket for the baby.  Ring slings are not the same as those infamous bag slings from a few years ago.  I like ring slings for carrying very small babies most of all.  There’s not lots of fabric to wrap around them and no special inserts or adjustments required, such as for soft-structured carriers.  Babies are only very little for a short time, anyway.Continue reading

I’ve already told you that Moby wraps are my favorite carrier for when babies are under the age of 1 year. When I want to wear my baby on the front, I grab my Moby. When baby is big enough for back carry, I grab my soft-formed carrier (I have an Ergo Sport as well).

If I had to tell you to purchase just ONE carrier (but really, I think you should own at least two…and I’ve got four), I would tell you to buy a Boba. Why? Because it’s SO versatile. You can do front carry or back carry (I’ll show videos of both). Plus, they’re pretty stinking cute.Continue reading

I must admit I was quite excited when Stacy told me she had a woven wrap for me to review.  I had heard of Dolcino, but hadn’t seen one.  That’s one of the things about woven wraps – they’re not often things you can go to a brick and mortar store and pick one off the shelf.  I’m used to mail order, though.  Finding wraps in a store is much more common in Europe, where babywearing is more of the norm, but they’re generally pretty expensive.

A woven wrap is long piece of fabric made specifically for babywearing.  They vary in length, anywhere from 2.7 meters to 5.7 meters (quite long!).  They’re used to wrap around your baby and yourself so you can carry your child as you go about your day.  They’re likely to be the most challenging carrier you can use, but also the most versatile.  They are one size fits all and can be used on the front, back or hip.  There’s a perfect carry for the age and temperament of your baby (such as ones who like to lean out of a carrier).Continue reading

NOTE: This post is a bit long and includes two videos. Proceed with caution.

The first carrier I’m going to focus on in this babywearing series is the Mei Tai…not to be confused with the alcoholic drink. Please do not drink and babywear. HAHAHAHAHA! The way I talk about drinking all the time, you’d think I was a big alchy. But anyway, I digress. Editor’s note: Stacy is not an alcoholic.

My mom made me a Mei Tai when Annie was young, and I did enjoy it but we could never get the fit just right. Then I was contacted by Valerie of Gracie and Sam – and I got the idea to do this series on babywearing. She wanted me to try out one of her custom-made Mei Tais. I was PUMPED because all her carriers were so pretty.Continue reading

Written by Brandy Nichols, Contributing Writer

When I had my first child, I thought of babywearing as a way to be present for my child in a culture littered with baby-holding appliances.  It seemed natural to me.  I didn’t need (or have the budget for) a swing that mimicked my heartbeat.  My mother-in-law gave me a ring sling as a gift and I made my first mei tai soon after.  Like magic, my daughter fell asleep nearly every time I put her in either one.  I didn’t understand it, but it sure was nice to feel her downy head against my chin.

Over the next year, I wore her much of the time, as first children seem to be the ones who don’t want to be put down.  We did yard work, cooked (with her on the back), hung out laundry and went for walks to the store.  I was able to get things done and offer the kind of presence she needed.   I was also able to get her to sleep when she needed a nap.  Golden.Continue reading