Expectations too high??

Remember that one time I told you I would post everyday..... and then I didn't... haha

Yeah, I have decided that Once a week is probably more realistic for me. So I will post once a week!!

How was everyone's Christmas??? I hope it wasn't too hectic and that you had time to sit down, relax, and enjoy yourself!!

Looking around online at facebook, babywearing groups, and tutorials, they make it look super easy, and super complicated!!! Please know that it is not... But also, please do not set your expectations too high.  Babywearing..especially wrapping has a learning curve, and that learning curve is different for everyone!! do not feel like a failure if you can't get it on your first try, or even your 50th or 1millionth(is that a word??) try.

After I felt like we had grown out of babywearing, I used this lovely purple pack for EVERYTHING!! I loved being able to wear my baby and do things. But the shoulders were SUPER diggy(meaning they dug into my shoulders after a while and hurt a ton) and there was ZERO padding on the waist strap.

 We were going on a backpacking trip, so I bought this beauty.... 

But ended up taking my Moby wrap instead.I opted for my Moby even though It would be much hotter, because it was a million times more comfortable. The Infantino hurt my shoulders, it hurt my back, and it hurt my hips..so basically it hurt my whole body. And Frankly it doesn't look very comfortable for the baby either.

(while forward facing can be done.. I DO NOT recommend it. I knew nothing about babywearing and proper positioning in most of my earlier photos)*

Reasons why non-ergonamic carriers or Narrow base carriers tend to be uncomfortable:

1. Hip placement for the baby

you can fix that by....

(neither of these photos belong to me.. I googled them)

2. Distribution of weight of the baby on the wearer: The waist strap on my NB (narrow base) carrier was about like the one on the purple backpack. Non-existent. Which then places all the the weight on my shoulders with narrow shoulder straps. 

3. Center of balance. At least with the carrier I had, and I have seen in most other non ergonomic carriers as well, the baby is not held high or tight. Which throws off the center of balance for both of you. The lower the baby is, the more you have to lean back to make up for it. Same goes with how close the baby is to you. 

*reasons to not face forward, even though it is safe...

http://www.boba.com/blog/nine-reasons-not-to-carry-your-baby-facing-out

Babies do Like to look around and see what is going on. Try a hip carry instead of facing them forward.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Txi9SCErUmk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7UDpYzwRPY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJophoHKSVo

My baby is too big to wear...

At what age can you wear a child?? If you didn't start wearing your child from the start, is it too late?? Heavens no!! You can wear at any age!! I wear my 3 year old, and just for the fun of it, I wrapped my husband!!

 And this little boy, didn't start getting worn until after he was 1! and he and I LOVE it!!

Now that you know that you can still wear your child!! what carrier??? ugh... so many choices.

Buckle Carrier,  Mei Tai

Wrap (stretchy, and woven)

Ring Sling, and pouch(sorry no picture of that)

How do you know which one is for you?? See if there is a local babywearing group in your area with a lending library... or you can research on line...

I personally love wraps, because they are pretty!! haha and so versatile, you can distribute the weight anywhere you need it.  I also love buckle carriers, because they are quick and easy to to put on. The ergonomic versions are also super comfortable for both wearer, and baby. They are also the only carrier my husband will use. Ring slings are great for quick ups, and all ages. Not great for long wears with bigger kids though, because all the weight is on one shoulder.

If the carrier you are currently using is hurting your back, do not give up yet!!!  I have some tips, and tricks for you, that will hopefully work!! I will post tomorrow!!!

Why should I babywear???

This, my friends, is the look of........ we just had another kid..... we're home by ourselves... what do we do now...

Although I love my children more than anything in this world, and I hope to have more someday, they are a lot of work, and take up a lot of time. 

These are the reasons I babywear...

1. To keep my sanity. My children are 22 months apart, which really isn't that bad. Both of them are extremely active. And I knew I needed to come up with a way to take care of both my children, myself, our home, and my wonderful hubby.

2. To show both my children that I love them. Wearing my children allows me to cuddle, snuggle, and love, all while still taking care of the house, the other child, or myself. I can teach the toddler to roller skate, while keeping my baby close, and safe.

3. To help me through depression.. I am not even going to pretend that I have bad depression. But postpartum depression is a thing, and there are days when I am depressed. Some days you want to just crawl in a corner, and stay there the rest of your life, but NOTHING is better than snuggling close to your little ones.

4. To keep them out of trouble. I know that it is possible to live life, and take care of things without babywearing, because I have done it. But I will say that babywearing makes life SOOO much easier.

Exhibit A:  not having to change muddy pants, and shoes.... (I had to put the baby down to pick up a tantrum-ing toddler, and this ensued...)

Exhibit B: not having to deal with water all over my floor, a soaking child, or worse case a drowning child.....

 The floor was successfully mopped, and child was dry and safe...

 ....and then napping, so I made cinnamon rolls!!!!

5. To teach them. When children are up at your level, they are seeing, hearing, and smelling the things that you do. They learn how to interact with people, by seeing face to face how you interact with people. They learn how to cook, do the dishes, fold the laundry, because they are up there, they can see you do it. They see the world around them, instead of the ceiling while laying on the floor, or looking at everyone's knees, while strapped in a car seat or stroller.

Yes is it possible to do those things without babywearing, I did it for waayy to long. But it is so much easier to not have to. 

My life went from this at dinner time......

To this...... 

Babywearing benefits both the caregiver, and the child. 

For the caregiver babywearing provides exercise, is convenient, creates a bond, helps with communication, and makes you confident in your abilities to do things.

For the child it provides security, worn babies are happy babies, it promotes physical development, and mental development. 

But if you don't believe me.... ask the professionals... 

• https://yourcub.com/babywearing-benefits/
• https://yourcub.com/babywearing-week/

Why do you babywear???? Leave a comment and let me know!!! I'd love to hear!!

early mornings

This photo is strictly for your viewing pleasure!! 

Sometimes the kids need you, and you just go with it.....

Let's start at the very beginning... A very good place to start

You're welcome, I hope you sing it the rest of the day and it brings you joy!! If you don't know what I am talking about, watch The Sound of Music, and thank me later. ;)

These are my two adorable little boys!! These are the most recent photos I could find..

This is my oldest he is a three year old, who thinks he rules the house. We'll call him Icefreeze. He just picked that out for himself.

 This is my youngest. He Loves to terrorize his older brother, and loves to pretend he is a monster.  We'll call him brainsucker. (Icefreeze picked that out for him) 

Yes he is in the bathtub with his clothes on... that's what happens when you walk away for 1 second!! 

At the baby shower for my first child, my sister gave me a Moby wrap. (Which lies under the category of stretchy wraps.) I LOVED IT!!! I wore it everywhere!!! There were some good things that I did with it, and some awful things that I did with it. 

Now that I know more about babywearing, when I look back at some of my photos, I cringe a little inside. But at the time, I thought I was doing what was best for my baby and I, and didn't know I had resources to learn more. 

Some of the best resources for learning about babywearing are; 

        1. https://yourcub.com/babywearing-benefits/ 

              ( I have found that carriers are like pants, each person likes different carriers for different reasons. When I mention a carrier I have I am not saying that that carrier will be the best one for you, that is just what I have, and it works for me)

        2. Facebook groups, like babywearing international, babywearing 102, your local babywearing international facebook group

        3. Youtube channels like; 

     Wrapping Rachel:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTy0nWu91zHMw-HWxLzZNuQ  

                           OR 

Wrap you in Love: https://www.youtube.com/user/Bikerbaby2011

(who also have facebook pages)

 (these are my personal favorites, but there are a lot out there.) 

And of course this blog!!! 

I hope I can get you to love babywearing as much as I do!!! 

I will go over reasons why you should babywear tomorrow.... The benefits for both the caregiver, and the child.

Here we go!!

To Start out, I thought I should introduce myself. My name is Emily Deakin. I am a full time stay at home mom. And I love what I do.
  I was introduced to the wonderful world of babywearing (which, yes, is a word, even if spell check says it isn't), by my wonderful sister, and lovely friend. My life will never be the same again. and I just really want every mother, father, grandparent, and caregiver, to understand the wonderful life saver that it can be.
  This blog will mostly focus on Babywearing 101. We will go over the basics. I will show you all of the times, my wrapping/wearing wasn't/ isn't so awesome! and tips and tricks how to get through it, and make it easier.
   We will go over wraps, ring slings, and soft structured carriers. Basically if it s a child carrier, and I know how to use it, or know someone who knows how to use it, we will go over it for you.
If you have questions, concerns, or need help with something... comment!! I would love to help you out!!
  I hope you have fun, and I hope we can help!!!  :)

p.s. I will try and post at least once a day... but cannot promise.. I am a mom after all, and family will ALWAYS come first!! :)