When it was time for Lailah’s nap, I picked up her wrap (Girasol night rainbow 2.5) and as soon as she saw it, a big smile came to her face. I didn’t even wrap her with it but laid it across her back like a blanket. She began to yawn and every muscle in her body began to relax. 2 minutes later she had eyes closed and I put her in her bed with the wrap draped across her torso.

That piece of cloth has got us through SO much in the past year. From the difficulties of nursing, tummy bug, fevers, teething, single parenting, keeping up with her brother and sister, long nature walks, wherever strollers couldn’t go…the list goes on. My arms could’ve never been able to accomplish all that a wrap or carrier could! Babywearing gave me the ability to comfort my baby, cook a meal and care for my other two kids at the same time! Never did I think that this simple, yet beautiful wrap could create such a wonderful loving bond between mother and child.

So, as I lay my 19 month old down in her bed, a tear came to my eye because of the tenderness that this fabric has created in our lives. Babywearing/toddlerwearing is such a brief moment in time and I am so glad it has been a part of nurturing my children. The physical and emotional attachment, security and gentleness will carry on for years to come! Wearing my children while they are young has become foundational to our family.

So you can use your baby as a pillow when you fall asleep!

The first winner of my photo contest is Melissa.  Thanks for contributing to my project with your example of things you can do in a wrap!  The pendant you chose is on its way to you for your prize.  Anyone else have something to say about the freedom wrapping grants to parents and babies?  Two more winners will be chosen, and I am still accepting submissions!

Details here: http://wrapyourbaby.com/blog/2011/07/where-has-wrapping-taken-you/

Gently Rocking Diana's Belly

At our Mom’s Circle, my friend Evelyn has taken the rebozo to my pregnant belly a couple of times.  SO RELAXING!  I’m looking forward to having this tool ready during labor, when my husband can use our rebozo to help me relax my body and allow the baby to do what he or she needs to do to come out.

More information from SpinningBabies: http://www.spinningbabies.com/techniques/activities-for-fetal-positioning/rebozo-sifting

This one was super nice too–made me feel real loose, just like I want to be in labor.  It was a fast rigorous wiggling of, well, my bottom!

The Wiggling of the Bottom

I remember reading in Spiritual Midwifery about squeezing the hips at a certain point in the birth to open things up, and I bet a rebozo could be used toward that end similarly to how its demonstrated in this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QyQGBwFWMM

Just make sure you know what you’re doing, because as I recall from the book (and no one’s quoting me on this, right?), the squeeze is like squeezing a clothespin–it closes the bones at one end and opens them at the other.  You want to make sure you’re opening up the right end at the right time.  No need to make baby’s passage any tighter than it needs to be!

I tend to feel a lot of lower back ache during labor, though, so I may have to remember to try it for that, as they’re talking about in the video.

I’ve not used a rebozo in labor yet, but I’m hoping to get the opportunity this month!  I’ll be sure to let you know!  In the meantime, does anyone else have rebozo-in-labor stories or information to share?

But I also thought of the influence each of us makes just by stepping out our doors with a comfortable, safe baby carrier.  The people who see you may have never heard of such a revolutionary device.  You are changing minds about how convenient babies are!  You are giving parents ideas of how they can make parenting less stressful, or maybe even leave the house more often.  You are normalizing incorporating a baby into your actual life.

This goes against either end of the parenting extremes:

1. Becoming a parent means giving up your life and you’ll never be able to do anything fun.
2. With today’s conveniences, becoming a parent doesn’t have to change your life at all.

Instead, we babywearers are casually depicting a third option.  We are demonstrating, without preaching, the joy of keeping your baby close, coupled with the convenience of going out for work and fun.  Our babies are getting all the nurture they need, from the people they need most, and also being exposed to the world they are growing up to be part of.

Just think, babywearing is a way you have found to improve the quality of life of your baby and yourself; and is also showing others around you how they too can have an easier time of it, and we may even be orchestrating a large-scale cultural shift in the way society thinks of and treats babies and children.  Imagine if people in line at the airport or restaurant didn’t groan when they saw us coming.  Imagine if they smiled instead, seeing the next generation of amazing, resilient, compassionate, imaginative, humans being raised right in front of them.

And what about our children, and their friends, clever little sponges growing up to wear their babies and change their worlds?

For such worthwhile contributions to individuals, families, and societies, in the action of babywearing and any other mindful examples set by you, I hereby commend each of you and award you with the title Remarkable and Influential Person and encourage you to get an ice cream sunday!

http://www.sleepywrap.com/2011/02/strollers-baby-carriers-and-infant-stress/

It also covers positioning in a carrier.  Obviously, having a baby in a carrier isn’t enough.  The material isn’t magical.  It’s using the material to hold your baby in an appropriate position that leads to optimal growth and development.  As for magic, that’s in the human touch, body warmth, eye contact, heartbeat, synchronized breath, muscle symmetry . . . all this breeds wonderful, magical physical, mental and emotional benefits that will lead to happy babies and happy caregivers.  If you’re as impressed by all that as I am, please pass on the information and spread the love. Happy Babywearing!

I hope every babywearer knows that she is not only taking the best care of her own babies, but changing the world when people see you keeping your baby close to your heart.  Wear your baby with pride and know that you deserve many thanks that you might not always hear.  Several moms I’ve heard from have cited an unknown babywearing stranger as the influence that piqued their interest in babywearing–that may have been you!

Here are just a few of the letters I’ve received from strangers that have turned me teary and made this business so worth my time:

“I just wanted to say thank you! I learned how to carry my baby through your videos and it has changed my life. Not only is my baby happier in the day and sleeping better at night, it saved me from my postpartum depression. I got my life back – and even better! Words can not express…”

–Sophia, carrying a two year old and four month old in San Diego

“Thank you for all the instruction how how to carry a baby in a wrap! I have used a Ergo carrier, a Snugli, slings, and a Maya wrap, but when it came to using a wrap, I was clueless. The pictures and videos on your site have been priceless to me. Now, I’ve shared your site with all my facebook friends! Thank you so much!!!”

–Valerie

“I just want to take a minute to thank you for your wonderful wrapping videos and instructions. I’m not so new to baby wearing but I am pretty new to wrapping and your site has been SO helpful to me. Thank you so much!!!!! ”

“I met you four years ago at a hotel in Clearwater where you sold me a Moby and an Ellaroo.  I think of you often, and wanted to thank you for the most recent email about the birth of your beautiful third daughter!  Congratulations on the VBAC.  (I have also had one of those J).  When I met you I believe I was buying a wrap for my sister, who was expecting her first child and also one for myself…for my third son.  We now have four sons and our youngest brings me the Ellaroo all the time and asks to be put into it.  I cannot thank you enough for sharing your passion the way that you do.”

“I just wanted to tell you how wonderful your site is and how thankful I am for it.  I am wearing my third baby as I write this.  He is so happy on my back (in a Didymos Indio rubinrot).  I’ve been using your site for a couple years now and have learned so much.  God bless you!”

“I have to tell you that I am so thankfull that I found your website! If you don’t mind, I would like to tell you my story. About a week ago, I was walking around a local farmers market with my 2 year old daughter in a stroller and my 7 month old son in a baby bjorn carrier. I saw this mom with her daughter (about the age of my son) in the most comfortable carrier I had ever seen! I couldn’t help but ask her where she got it. That is when I was introduced to the world of wraps and what I would call “true” babywearing.  So, After our encounter, I couldn’t wait to get one of my own. Money is tight because I am a stay at home mom, so I just went to the fabric store for mine, as did the woman at the market.

“Ever since the day I brought it home, I have been wearing him with the one wrap that she showed me, but once I found your website this morning it was like a light went off. My son, Xander is going through some serious separation anxiety and everyones advice to me is to not carry him and let him learn to be independent. Well, I have tried, but I can just feel that it is not what either of us needs. You website has helped me give Xander what he needs, while still allowing me to get everything done I need to do in a day. He even nursed today for the first time while in the wrap! I just feel such a sense of contentment now with our situation. In just this short time, I feel much more connected to him.

“To make the story even better, when he went down for a nap, I asked my two year old if she wanted to “ride” she of course obliged and loved being so close to mom! She snuggled right in there and I could just see her eyes light up. (forgive me, I am getting very teary eyed right now) I just know that she has had such a hard time adjusting to her new baby brother and sharing the attention. Everyone pushes me to make her grow up faster and get over it, but after seeing her face today, I couldn’t disagree more. I know my family is going to tell me how awful it is that I carry my kids around all day, but I now have the confidence to do what I believe my children need. I am so greatful that there are people like you and the woman I met at the farmers market to help moms who don’t feel natural with some of the more modern parenting techniques.

“I am STILL SO GREATFUL for all of the amazing information you have provided.  Thank you again for everything!!”

–Ginger

“Because wearing my baby makes her more eye-level, I feel that others interact with her more as a person versus an objectified infant. I sat my baby on the couch yesterday and reached for my wrap.  She squealed with delight and clapped her hands together!  That’s a satisfied customer ”

Darla and baby in their new Ulli Storchenwiege

It’s about the nine months I carried you in my womb; the hopes, dreams, and smiles with which I anticipated your earthly arrival; the sight and smell and knowledge of you that keeps my heart doing flip flops; and the fact that neither one of us wants to be separated.

1 week before birth

1 week after birth

Because there is no place you would rather be, and it’s the most and the least I can do for you.  Because the world is new and wide, and my presence is the perfect reassurance and introduction.  Because you have entered into a safe and loving world, and you are close to those who love you.

nursing

You have time enough to stand, and walk, and run, and I look forward to chasing you . . . but not yet.

nursing again

Because sleeping peacefully in your cradle is not as nice, as safe, or as happy as sleeping on my chest.  Because here I can see your face, lips, and breath, your fluttering lids and lashes, and every momentary smile or wince as you dream.

at the park

For almost a year my body has kept you safe and focused, reminding you to breath, keeping you connected to humanity, and earth, and life, as no molded plastic seat can.

3 weeks old

The coziness, comfort, safety, and closeness is familiar, as are our heartbeats, and the rhythms and smells of our bodies.

with daddy

with grammy

sweet sister with doll

This is good and right, and no one should be able to threaten it.  If you have a babywearing love story, share it here http://www.adventuresinbabywearing.com/2010/10/babywearing-and-call-to-action.html and know that someone will read it who needs it.  Learn more about protecting babywearing on the Baby Carrier Industry Alliance Facebook page.