I came across this fabulous post about babywearing during childbirth! Ok, so you might be slightly less amazed to hear it was the dad who was babywearing, but you have to admit, it’s pretty impressive none-the-less. It’s fantastic to read a birth story where an elder sibling to the new baby is present at the birth, and certainly puts a new light on worrying about who to get to babysit when the big day arrives. And what a great way of calming down an upset toddler, in what can only be described as trying circumstances. Mel’s birth story is a little traumatic, and poor Isaac was obviously upset as seeing his mother distressed, but babywearing is so normal for him that when his Daddy popped him into the nearest sling (a ring sling), he was instantly comforted. And just to show that different types of sling are more suited to different situations, his dad goes on to say that throughout the labour he switched to a mei tai so that he could be more hands-free to help support his wife. Isaac loved being at the birth of his new brother, and to carry on the family babywearing, once Isaac was happy to be put down, Daddy picked up the new baby and wore him in a ring sling. This family are clearly die-hard slingers, and they have certainly used all types of carrier to get their hands back!

We have heard about some other unusual babywearing activities too – delivering lambs, attending football matches, hot air balloon rides, and even climbing a volcano!

We are sure that you must have done some unusual or amazing things whilst babywearing, and we’d love to hear about them!

Related posts:

1. Stephanie’s Story
2. Babywearing – My Story
3. Types of Baby Carriers

We have been sent a lovely story about the experiences of one babywearer, who has used both a mei tai and a didymos wrap, which I am pleased to share with you. Thanks to Stephanie for taking the time to email us.

I first became aware of baby wearing after the birth of my first daughter, Amy although I didn’t buy my first sling until I was pregnant with my 2nd daughter Phoebe. Once I started wearing Amy, I wished I had started when she was much younger.

So, anyway, I am going to tell you about my experience with Phoebe as I started baby wearing her from newborn. My first sling that I used with Phoebe was a Mei Tei. I used to pop her in, froggy style. She was quite a sicky baby, which was later identified as reflux and being upright suited her much better. In the evenings, reflux would have her screaming in pain, so I would pop her in the Mei Tei and she would calm down. She would rest her head on me and go soundly off to sleep.

Sometimes during the day, I would pop her in the Mei Tei so I could get on with things. Amy, 22 months older, was a normal toddler and very interested in her baby sister. Therefore I felt it wise not to leave them alone, especially at first, so I would pop Phoebe in the Mei Tei whilst I hung the washing out or did the hoovering.

As Phoebe got older, she thoroughly enjoyed the view she had from the sling and would smile at everyone. On the occasions that we put her in the pram she was never as happy; especially if she was tired. I would find I would get her out of the pram to put her in the sling to go to sleep.

Phoebe was 7lbs2 born but grew very fast, to being a very chubby baby. People would often ask me if she hurt my back, carrying her the way I did. But the truth was, the sling completely took the weight and I really felt the difference if I forgot my sling and had to carry her without it.

Phoebe was about 5 months when I purchased my second sling, a Didymos. This was very different to the Mei Tei. A Didymos is a wrap sling and on first glance the swathes of material were a bit scary. Phoebe, being used to slinging by now, was very tolerant and allowed me to practise the different ties with her. I absolutely love the flexibility of the Didy. There are so many different carries that I can do, and I also managed to breastfeed her very discreetly in it.

Now Phoebe is 18 months and I am still babywearing her. She now goes on my back and still enjoys the view. She still spends her time smiling at everyone. People still ask if she hurts my back, but again she is so supported by the sling that I don’t get back ache at all. I recently helped out at a Charity sale and I helped to man the tea and cakes…Phoebe spent a long time on my back. It was very useful for me to know where she was and it was great for her to be able to see everything and smile at everyone.

All I have ever had is compliments on my slings and how calm and content a baby Phoebe is. I would definitely say that babywearing contributed to my baby being a happy, secure and content baby. Now all I need is a newborn to try out some of the other carries………..

Related posts:

1. “Jelly Baby’s” Story
2. Babywearing – My Story
3. Bethany’s Story

I didn’t make a conscious choice to be a babywearing mummy.

In fact – when I was pregnant with my first son, I never for one moment imagined I would use one of those “earth-mother, hippy-ish” baby sling things. We were given a Baby Bjorn carrier by a friend, and used it briefly when we went on holiday, but most of his travelling was done in the state of the art Mamas and Papas travel system. So, when we arranged a holiday with both of our children, when our youngest (and very clingy) son was 6 months old, I surprised myself by actually quite liking some of the baby carriers on the market.

While the particular one I settled on wasn’t the most comfortable sling, I loved the freedom I gained from having a happy baby, and being able to use my hands once again.

That was 2 years ago now, and Josh still loves being carried in a sling, although most of the time he rides on my back, rather than snuggled against my chest.

It came as such a revolution to me that I wanted to share the concept of babywearing, and show it isn’t just for knitting-your-own-yoghurt type mothers.

Babywearing can be for anyone, and everyone!

Related posts:

1. Extreme Babywearing
2. Bethany’s Story
3. “Jelly Baby’s” Story