Aaaand we're back!

Life has been crazy! 

With sick kiddos, and hubby. Birthday's, Family functions... you name it! But maybe things are slowing down?? haha 

Maybe I should change it from carry of the week, to carry of the month!! Gah! sorry about that. 

This amazing infographic was posted in Babywearing International's facebook page, and I thought I would share it here. 

The world of babywearing can be a bit overwhelming!!! there is so much to learn, and SO MANY options! Here is something that might make things a little easier if you are planning on going with the woven wraps....

Semi-FWCC

I hope you all had fun with last weeks carry!! I would love to see photos of you guys trying these carries out in the comments if you would like, or even any questions that might have come up!

This week's carry is called Semi-FWCC (Front Wrap Cross Carry). This carry is just a shorter version of FWCC that we did last week, but it is better if you have a shorter wrap, and can't quite eek out a full FWCC. Like it is mentioned in the video, if you finish this carry with a slip knot, it is a really easy carry to nurse in.

Since my boys are bigger, I really don't do front carries very often. But here is a picture of the ONE time we did Semi-FWCC, haha. In the video below she uses a size 3 wrap. In this picture I used a size 6 wrap, and as you can see, there is plenty of tail left over.

Before I show you the tutorial on this carry I am going to show you a slip knot tutorial, done by Wrap you in Love. A slip knot is a WONDERFUL knot to learn!! It can be used in so many different carries.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PV60v6cFtwA

Here is the video tutorial for Semi-FWCC

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1npxEqKj4k

I would love to see pictures, questions, or any comments that you might have! :) Happy wrapping!

Annnnnd we're back!!!

Sorry for that ridiculously long hiatus!!! I promise I have not forgotten about you! :) 

I decided that I am going to start a carry of the week. I will talk about a new carry (mostly with wraps). Explain why it can be nice, and post a video tutorial of how to do it! :) If I find there is another issue I would like to address, or a question that comes up, we'll take break to go over that, but for now that is the plan!! 

So! To start off, I will first focus on front, and hip carries. It is recommended to start with front carries, so that you can become familiar with how the fabric moves, and works. So that you can see what a good seat looks like, and see how the fabric is suppose to cross and pass, to make a good carry, before wrapping on the back where you basically have to feel everything. 

This weeks Carry of The Week is.... drum roll please..... 

Front Wrap Cross Carry or FWCC

This carry is great for little babies! And, as you can see, also works for bigger kids as well. Since I don't have any babies right now, I basically only use this carry when they ask to be wrapped in the front. It Is simple to learn and really supportive! FWCC is a great carry for when they fall asleep. You can tuck their little head into one of the shoulder passes, and it keeps their head from flopping around.

here are some great tutorials for the Front Wrap Cross Carry (FWCC) Maybe someday we will move to videos I have made, but for now we'll stick with others! haha

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PD5YKSf1Q4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRxk_0fCuh8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKFpbJjhG6Q

Stretchy Wraps

When I was pregnant with my first baby, one of my sisters gave me a Moby wrap.

I knew nothing of wrapping  babies. I had never seen it, nor heard of it before. Little did I know it would change my life. She explained to me how to wear it, and put my baby in.... I read the instruction manual... and I still did some things wrong. BUT my baby Preschooler is still alive, and nothing is wrong with him..(although sometimes that is up for debate, haha) ;)

So.. here is the recommended way to wear your lovely child in a stretchy wrap. 

1. There should always be 3 passes over the child. A pass is when the fabric crosses the body. So the fabric should go over the child's body 3 times. As you can see in the picture below, the two cross passes go over the child, and the horizontal pass goes over the child.

2. Baby should be close enough to kiss. A common mistake is to position the baby too low.

3. The weight of the baby should be on their bum, and NOT on their feet. I would always grab my little man's feet, cross them at the ankles, and slide him down in the wrap!! I cringe every time I think about it!!! Not only was he sitting ON his feet, but they were crossed!! in this picture you can see the child's knees are higher than their bum, and there is no weight on the feet. It is recommended now to wrap the baby with the feet out from birth. probably because of people like me. haha!!

4. Their chin should be off of their chest, to keep their airways open.

5. Their Back should be supported, and the wrap should be tight.

6. The baby's face should always be in view. Even if other people can't see them, as long as their face is visible to you. 

7. stretchy wraps should NEVER be used for back carries.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J19oOkQ61hI 

you can do front and side carries though. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEhqszyOi-4&index=1&list=PLYzCgWtVI2FpqYwnJutMbHtARMUf6mH2h

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Txi9SCErUmk&list=PLYzCgWtVI2FpqYwnJutMbHtARMUf6mH2h&index=2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iD_IRTY75U&list=PLYzCgWtVI2FpqYwnJutMbHtARMUf6mH2h&index=3

  

Emergency babywearing

This post was inspired by one of my sisters.  (yes i did just say "one of my sisters") I have 4 sisters.. but not only that, I also have 5 brothers!!! *(insert gasp here)  And yes we all have the same parents. And Yes I am #10, The caboose, The spoiled rotten youngest sister. And I LOVE IT!!!!  :) 

Say you are interested in babywearing, but have nothing to wear your child with, or say you are out and about, and did not bring a carrier, OR you suddenly find yourself with a small child who needs to be held, but you cannot sit there holding them, or your arms are just too stinking tired!!! Whatever your reason may be, here are some solutions!! :) I hope they help! :) 

You can use......

1. Towel (a large bath towel, or beach towel)
2. Blanket
3. Twin sized bed sheet
4. Table cloth
5. Scarf
6. etc....

Here we are at my husband's brother's house. Little Man was a terror!!! and he just needed to sleep!! I forgot all my carriers, So I borrowed a blanket, and put him in a torso carry.

Here is another Torso carry done with my older son, Awesome. This is a piece of cloth that My mom got in Mexico or something before I was even born I am pretty sure... 

This is my first ever attempted torso carry in a Thicker Sarong/ Lava lava thing I got in Mexico. 

And a Torso Carry done with a regular old Towel.. Haha (and my ever cooperative doll.)

 In Torso Carries the child tends to sit low, even on your bum. They will not be as high as they usually are in other carries. You will see it a lot in places like Africa.

And here is a link for a torso carry:  

This one because I think the lady is ADORABLE!!!

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0ndY7X3Z4s

And this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZx95NSytBE

Here Is a way that you can use a twin sized Bed sheet!! (this picture I actually used a King sized bed sheet, because all of our twins are being used or in the wash) That knot is a BEAST!!!

To use a bed sheet. Fold it in half Length wise (or hot dog style). So it is long and skinny. Put one end over one shoulder (the opposite side you hold the child on) and the other side, under your armpit. Then you will make a slip knot. Here are some videos... (still trying to work up confidence to make my own....) 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PV60v6cFtwA

This one is great because it is basically what you would do with a sheet!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eE9TSaGrPHc

This is called a Strap carry. Not super comfortable, but works in a pinch!! Here I used one of my scarves. If I were using one of my actual children, I would probably need something a little longer.

You can use anything for this. Just keep in mind, it cannot stretch, It has to be strong enough to hold your child's weight, and you don't want it too skinny, or it will dig into you, and your child!!! 

This carry is traditionally done in Asia, and they use their martial arts belts. so you can use what you have.

(borrowed this picture from the internet!!)

And here I am wrapping with a piece of fabric from my sewing stash that happened to be long enough!! :)  we are using a Front Wrap Cross Carry (FWCC)

 and this is probably not recommended, but One day I found myself having to walk MUCH further than I had anticipated, and my arms were KILLING me!!! It was also cold an rainy and little man did not have a good jacket on. So I took off my Jacket, Pulled the body of  it up between the two of us, tied the arms around me, and put my hood on his head. I didn't trust my sweater to hold all his weight, but it saved my arms, and kept him warm!!!

I've done it two ways... the sleeves tied over my shoulder...

and under..

(yes I am in my pajamas, in all of the pictures I took tonight... I retired early today.. haha) 

Let me know if there is anything specific you are wondering about!!! I would LOVE to help you!!! If I don't know the answers I will find them out! 

Happy babywearing!!! Keep them close!!!

Is wrapping for me???

There are two main ways to wear your baby... With "a piece of cloth", called a wrap, and a "backpack thing" called a SSC (soft structured carrier). (Yes I realize a wrap is not JUST a piece of cloth, and yes I realize those are not the only two ways to wear your children) 

When trying to teach people about babywearing, I often get asked which one they ought to try. Everything in the babywearing world is personal preference!! It's like a pair of jeans. You just have to try it until you find what works for you. Everyone is different. I have noticed that some carriers that I just haven't liked at all, some people LOVE more than anything. 

I personally love both wrapping, and SSC for very different reasons. SSC are convenient, easy to put on, user friendly, and super comfortable.

The reason I LOVE wrapping. Wrapping is the truest, oldest form of babywearing. 

It makes me feel connected. 

Wrapping is an art form, it is beautiful, it takes time, and there is no one right way to do it. 

I also love wrapping, because you can distribute the weight where ever you want it. If my 3 year old has fallen asleep on my back in a SSC. After a long time my lower back starts to hurt a little. But in a wrap, I can easily change it around, and shift the weight to another place. 

It is always recommended that you start with front and side carries before attempting back carries. With wrapping it is important that you understand what a good seat, and a secure wrap job feel like.  Here are some great tutorials on easy front carries. 

Kangaroo with newborn:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3oiIa71uVs

FWCC (Front Wrap Cross Carry) with newborn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzqR-rrrSp4

FWCC with older child: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6WnV2Ihw-k&index=12&list=PLYzCgWtVI2Fr5a4pzh8o42p6rJ2vLHL5d

Short Cross Carry tied at shoulder: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeoF7lwqUq4&list=PLYzCgWtVI2Fr5a4pzh8o42p6rJ2vLHL5d&index=14

Vacation!!

Guess what?! We're going on vacation!! I am super excited! AND my new wrap came just in time to join us!!! :)  

Isn't is gorgeous?!?!?!?!

We are able to go so many places, and have been able to keep doing the things that we love to do, even with small children, thanks to babywearing!! 

 Whether it's climbing, backpacking, hiking, or just enjoying a beautiful day at the park. We Can Do It!! Not having to hassle with a big clunky stroller, or one arm, really opens the world up! 

I am sad that our western culture has gone away from the age ol' tradition of wearing babies.... EVERYONE does it!!! Women around the world, from the dawn of time have worn their babies. Why don't we????

(none of these photos are mine. I pulled them off of Google)

 It is the most natural place for them to be. Babies who are worn cry less. It just makes sense.

How to put on a Soft Structured Carrier....

Here is a Soft Structured Carrier.. There are a lot out there.. these just happen to be the two I own.

I tried to post a video of me showing you how to wear a ssc.... but... It turns out I don't know how!! haha So I will figure that out, but in the mean time here are some probably better videos done by Wrapping Rachel. I will work on my video skills, and maybe get some videos out... haha

Front carry:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7CyUF44u7Y

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

Here I am wearing my oldest child...

I have a short torso, so when I wear my babies :'(   toddlers on my front they are kind of all up in my business.. haha that's why I prefer to wear them on my back.

And as you can see they sit higher on my back then they do on my husband.

If you are familiar with wrapping... you generally will not get you child as high on your back in a SSC as you will with a wrap. 

I like my SSC because they are really simple, and easy to put on. (they don't have quite as big of a learning curve as wrapping). I have noticed though that they are kind of like pants. Different carriers fit different people differently... (how  many times can I use that word???) that is when your local lending library comes in handy!!!  Our SSC is the only carrier that my husband will wear, and I like using them to go hiking, because I care less if they get dirty compared to my wraps. There are Reasons though that I like my wraps over my SSC and i'll go over those later!