Babywearing Info

So, people message me often asking about various baby things. Breastfeeding, birthing, pregnancy, etc. I absolutely LOVE that, by the way. I love talking to you mamas (and mamas to be!) about gentle parenting, natural living and crunchy stuff. But, probably one of the most common questions I get asked is about babywearing. I really love this subject in particular. Why, you ask? Because EVERYBODY can do it! Doesn't matter what your baby eats, how your baby was born, etc. The 'mommy wars' need not apply here. And I love it.

But I'll be honest. The world of babywearing can be a little overwhelming, and even I don't have a solid grip on all of it (I have friends that do, though!) But I figured I would make a post that I can direct my mama friends to when they ask about carriers. This is more a 'catch-all' and helps give you an idea of the DIFFERENT kind of carriers out there, every mama and baby will be different in what works best for them. I encourage you to read this, figure out you find fits best for you, and message me! I'm always happy to help clarify the grey areas or at the very least point you in the direction of somebody who can. I will put pros and cons next to each type of carrier as well.

I would first like to address the 'narrow-based' carrier (like a bjorn carrier). These are still wearing your baby, and if its what you have and it works for you, then AWESOME! I encourage you to use it, to hold and wear your baby and keep them close. But, for those looking to purchase, these carriers can be quite uncomfortable for both baby and mama and they are difficult to use correctly. This photo gives a simple explanation as to why they aren't recommended by the "seasoned" baby-wearer.

Bjorn on the left, ergo on the right.

I also don't recommend the "forward-facing" carry for the reasons described in this post, here.


So, lets begin shall we?

1) Wraps - 

Woven Didymos Wrap

Moby Wrap (Stretchy)

Solly Baby Wrap (Stretchy)

There are essentially two different types of wraps. Both of these are large pieces of either stretchy or woven fabric that you learn to tie in different ways. The difference will be in the longevity of the wrap and the price point.

In order to make this easier I will break both down into pros and cons.

A.) Stretchy Wraps


           These are your typical Moby or Solly Baby wraps. These are ideal for the squishy sweet brand new baby. They are easy to find & order. They are soft and easy to learn to wrap with because the stretch provides a forgiving 'margin of error'.

Pros- Easy to wrap with, comfortable, not very pricey, lightweight, can easily be folded up and stuffed in a diaper bag. Nursing can be done easily and discreetly.

Cons- There is really a very small variation of carries you can safely do with this type of carrier (and all are belly to belly) so this limits what your baby can experience while being worn, and that can cause baby to not enjoy being wrapped as much. (We dont ever recommend baby facing out, more on that at the end.) Also, these have a weight limit of 35 pounds but as baby approaches the 15/20 pound mark or 5/6/7 months old the stretchy wrap begins to sag some and this can create all sorts of safety and comfort issues. So, in essence these wraps are really only wonderful for the early stages.

Links to buy -
Moby Wrap
Solly Baby Wrap


B. Woven Wraps

          These can be a source of confusion. Although very popular almost everywhere else in the world, the good ol' USA is slow to the woven wrap scene. This makes it difficult to find and purchase these lovely pieces of fabric. But, if you are interested in a woven wrap, PLEASE message me and I can help you find several different ways to get you one!

Pros- Hundreds of different carries can be accomplished safely with a woven wrap (including back wraps, hip carries, breastfeeding carries, etc.) These wraps will last from the day baby is born until they cannot (or do not WANT) to be wrapped anymore. This is a 'one-time' investment that will last you through your entire wearing experience if that is what you desire. 

Cons- There can be a pretty substantial learning curve for wraps. If you are in an area that doesnt have a babywearing group that meets regularly you will likely be learning these carries on youtube. This can prove for some frustrating trial and error but it is certainly not impossible.
.
Links to buy-

Didymos (Please message me if you'd like to buy a woven and I will help you find a good deal and a good wrap) 

2. Ring slings

Sakura Bloom Ring Sling

Ring Slings are wonderful. They come in two different 'styles' if you will, one being a 'ready-made' and the other being a wrap conversion. So, all a WC (wrap-conversion) sling is, is a woven wrap from above, altered to be a ring sling. There is not a real big difference here other than personal preference. There are some really beautiful WCRS (wrap conversion ring slings) but they will almost always be quite a bit more pricey.

Wrap Conversion Sling

Pros- Ring slings are very easy to use, wide range of prices, easy for quick up/downs when baby is older. It will last through toddlerhood if you want it to.

Cons- Only a couple safe carries (hip and belly to belly) for the inexperienced wearer. When baby gets big (or huge, like mine) they can be a little less comfortable for long wearing experiences. They seem to be best suited for grocery store trips and short walks. But, that is a personal opinion and you may find it comfortable to wear baby for hours-on-end with no complaints!
Links to buy-

Sakura Bloom
Message me if you're interested in a WCRS and I can point you to a good place to purchase.


3. SSC (Soft structured carrier)

The SSC is sort of like the catch-all for babywearing. It's pretty fool-proof and it can be super comfortable when done correctly. These carriers are great for things like hiking, amusement park wearing, long walks, etc.

Pros- Our kinderpack is my favorite thing ever for the age Harper is now (17 months) she enjoys it, and it's incredibly comfortable. It can be worn front OR back, is good for long or short trips. Wide range of prices.

Cons- There is a limit to how much you can adjust a SSC so some people prefer the wrap so that each carry can be fit exactly to you and babies dimensions. While a SSC can be used for an infant, they are widely preferred by older babies that have solid head control. They also do not grow well with baby in all cases and you may need to purchase different sizes as baby grows depending on the fit you like and the carry you prefer.


Links to buy-

Ergo
Kinderpack


So, this is pretty much the summation of the different styles of carriers. People often ask after all of this. "Oh, okay, so....whats your favorite?" It really depends on mama and baby, but if I had to pick just one, it would be the Kinderpack, for SURE!


I hope this post helps some of you clear the air on babywearing and keeps your sweet babies in your arms and not on top of your shopping carts :)

Blessings, love, prayers and kisses,


Hallye

Why you should have a Doula

So, you're pregnant. You want your birth to calm, easy and informed. You want someone to ask questions and you want someone there that can support you in addition to the support you may already have. You find yourself scared at times or unsure of how certain things are going to go. You're googling and coming up short in what you can expect. Why not hire an expert? You need a Doula!

Let's talk about what a doula is and why it's SO freaking important regardless of how you birth, what you want from your birth or how great of a support system you have. A doula is defined by DONA International as having the following traits.

• Recognizes birth as a key experience the mother will remember all her life
• Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor
• Assists the woman in preparing for and carrying out her plans for birth
• Stays with the woman throughout the labor
• Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures and an objective viewpoint, as well as helping the woman get the information she needs to make informed decisions
• Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and her clinical care providers
• Perceives her role as nurturing and protecting the woman's memory of the birth experience
• Allows the woman's partner to participate at his/her comfort level

Your birth is yours to rock. But almost everyone I know that has been pregnant and knows how much I love pregnancy and childbirth has texted me and messaged me throughout their pregnancy wanting to know things like "How I didn't have an epidural" and "What should I do to prepare myself for birth" and things of that nature. These are all excellent questions that by the way, I do not mind in the very slightest to answer for you guys. But I'll be the first one to tell you, I'm not an expert on the subject. I have my experience and the knowledge I have accumulated in the last couple years from reading articles and researching but I have had no formal training in birth or breastfeeding or anything of the sort. A doula HAS! She is an expert. She is a wonderful, beautiful, lovely resource for you during your pregnancy AND your birth. She has likely attended a large amount of births and has tons of experience. She is not there to replace any of your supporters. She is not there to intervene or pressure you into anything you don't feel comfortable with. In fact, the word Doula comes from the ancient Greek word meaning "woman who serves". She is there to HELP you succeed. And as amazing as our Partners, Husbands, Moms, Best Friends, etc. are, they simply are not experts on supporting laboring women (and I'm sure they would admit that to you, too ";)) 

So...what's the proof, yo? If you're like me, this is where you're all "YA WHATEVER MAN. I know I can do it and I dont need no hired help."

I feel you. I do. And you know what, I DID. I did do it. It went as well as I could expect for an induced first time mom. But, if I could go back....if I could do it again...I would pay any amount of money, or give any resource I had to have a doula. Please don't regret your birth. Let's talk about the evidence though.

I highly recommend reading THIS article as well as everything else from Evidenced Based Birth because they are phenomenal. But here's the summary for all of you TLDNR (too long did not read)er's.

For most of these outcomes,* the best results occurred when woman had continuous labor support from a doula– someone who was NOT a staff member at the hospital and who was NOT part of the woman’s social network. When continuous labor support was provided by a doula, women experienced a:

• 31% decrease in the use of Pitocin*
• 28% decrease in the risk of C-section*
• 12% increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth*
• 9% decrease in the use of any medications for pain relief
• 14% decrease in the risk of newborns being admitted to a special care nursery
• 34% decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience*

Hmm! That's pretty amazing stuff. And in my opinion well worth the price of a doula. Most of our area doula's have a price tag of $300-$1000 depending on what she offers and other factors. If your first reaction is NO! I CANNOT AFFORD THAT. Don't be so sure. Approach her and see if she will work with you on price. Or, divide her fee into a month amount and save up to pay her before labor. Or, maybe pass up some of those "essentials" (like a crib, baby swing, jogging stroller, etc) and put that money toward a doula. If it's important to you that you enjoy your birth experience this is one of the most fundamental ways you can do that. I have attached several local doulas information below. I pray you check it out. I pray there is never a woman that feels alone in her birth, ever.

http://www.lubbockdoula.com/
http://www.heartforbirth.com/
http://www.hubcitydoula.com/

Did you have a doula? Did it effect the outcome of your birth? Let me know your story :)