What’s Your Babywearing Story?Five years ago today, I became a “babywearer.”
During my pregnancy with my third son, I attended a La Leche League meeting to brush up and meet some Moms. Our lives and parenting views had changed a lot since having our first two children, so I was hungry for anything and everything au naturel.
I will never forget seeing one of the LLL leaders working the room in this fabulous contraption (a ring sling) and where could I get one I wanted it NOW.
I found a simple black ring sling on ebay for fifteen dollars. I practiced with it, and took it to our local natural parenting group’s meeting the night before Gray was born. I asked one of the midwives to show me “how to work it” and she grabbed her grandson and showed me right there.
(That midwife- Lynda- would become my homebirth midwife for my fourth baby, and later pass away suddenly soon after.)
I packed the sling in my hospital bag, and that night went into labor. I wore him the day he was born. (Five years ago, today.)
Eventually I decided to write a whole blog about my babywearing and mothering adventure.
And I haven’t stopped babywearing (or blogging) since.
Do tell me, what’s your babywearing story?
Be sure to visit Adventures in Babywearing and read Stephanie's past MK guest post here. Thanks, Steph! -- Leigh
And what a beautiful story it is! Thanks for being such an amazing resource for moms looking to take that step into babywearing! I started reading your blog before I had kids and babywearing was a given for us after reading all of your adventures. You Rock!!!
ReplyDeleteLove this.
ReplyDeleteLove that she picked up her grandson and showed you right then and there :-)
ReplyDeleteAnd, how, what a wonderful ripple that made as you have reached so many parents Stephanie, through your blog and stories and generous sharing of your bw'ing wisdom.
Fantastic!
I knew I always wanted to wear my baby and have been doing so since she was born last year! Went from sling to mei tai and heading to Metro Minis today with a friend to try out some new options and introduce her to the world of carriers!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all of your tips Leigh and Stephanie--from the burp cloth headrest to the "baby straightjacket," I have learned a lot from you both!
The slings are fantastic, you feel so comfortable and I am sure it is great for the child too.
ReplyDeleteI can't remember how I learned about babywearing in the first place. I had not seen anyone I know personally use slings or wraps. I think it was a tangent I took one day while I was researcing homebirth, something like homebirth to natural parenting to co-sleeping to babywearing.
ReplyDeleteHowever I discovered it, I knew right away it would be for me. I received a couple of not so great slings as hand-me-downs, tried to make a pocket sling, and tried a suggli carrier before breaking down and buying a ring sling for $40. And that was it! Oh, glory! I could carry my babe for hours comfortablely and she loved it too.
Now I've graduated to an ergo, and I day dream about wearing my next baby some day.
I started with a Baby Bjorn with #1, although it always hurt my back. By the time I had #2, slings had hit huge. I never had seen or heard of them with #1. #2 was very colicky and babywearing was amazing--I had a pouch sling and a homemade moby wrap. With #3, I had some different slings and babywearing devices. I still use my Beco and Sakura Bloom with her (20 months). I plan to save my Sakura Bloom forever. I'll use it with future nieces and nephews and maybe even grandchildren. Serious.
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