Review of baby carriers

My original post Prediction for baby carriers listed four carriers there. I will give a short review and add three other carriers as well. 

1. BABY BJÖRN Baby Carrier Original - City Black

This carrier is a common retail favorite. I like that the baby can be facing my body or outward. My husband wanted it immediately and said that it was the only one he would agree to use, I think based on the style and ease of use factor. It is very quick to put on.

I ended up giving this to my sister, who had a smaller baby and was okay with this style of carrier. I had a big baby and this carrier did not support my low back. I also did not like how the baby's weight is distributed. It wasn't that easy to put on either. Rating: C 

2. Moby Wrap Baby Carrier-PACIFIC

I am really excited about getting a Moby Wrap as a baby carrier. It is a long piece of fabric that can be wrapped around your body for an unlimited amount of baby holds. I like that the baby will be held snugly against my body like in the womb. Babies can be carried in the front, and on the back of your body. Check out the following YouTube Videos for instructions on a Moby Wrap.

My sister and I were both overwhelmed by the amount of fabric. We both had the black wrap and didn't like how boring it was. I've since looked into other wraps stretchy and woven, but haven't bought any because the Moby really does it's job for the first few months. I was able to master several carries. My baby liked it. I might also shorten it.  I plan to add a center panel to make it more interesting. It is one of the longest wraps on the market, almost unnecessarily so. In my opinion, longer wraps are needed when you use complicated carries with a woven wrap to wear your child on your back. RATING: B  

3. Original Maya Wrap Sling 

I have to be honest, I didn't intend to purchase this sling. I thought that I was purchasing a Moby Wrap (See Number 2). But, having tried it on, I can see the benefits of a fabric sling. It can easily put on and also stowed in a purse or a diaper bag. The Maya Wrap Sling has a comfortable material that is breathable for the baby. I have yet to see how the distribution of weight will feel, but I easily carried my 13 lb terrier mutt in it the other day.

I used this sling often when he could hold his head up. I didn't like how long the tail was...except it did help to keep him warm in the winter. Again, I had the black sling, which was super boring. Get a fun colored one! I'll use this sling again, but I will probably shorten the tail. RATING: B+

4. Freehand Mei Tai Baby Carrier

What I like about the Mei Tai style of baby carriers is how quickly you can wear your baby. Again, the baby can be worn on your front or on your back. A padded Mei Tai can distribute baby's weight across your shoulders and hips. I think that I will like this one the best during the toddler years.

I have not bought a Mei Tai (YET) but I think that it would have been okay for us. I am still keeping my eye out at consignment sales for a bargain. 

The other carriers that I accumulated:

1. ERGO SPORT

This carrier is my dream carrier. I think that I will prefer to use it as a toddler carrier though. I am looking into getting the infant insert.  I love the way it distributes the weight and I hardly feel pressure on my shoulders. It is very well made. I recommend buying or making an organic drool guard. My kids loves to chew/suck on the straps. I've easily hiked while breastfeeding with this thing. My main criticism is that the straps are bulkier than I like (a trade off for the comfort). I also found the slit in the carrier slightly problematic (shirts and jackets riding up) and less comfortable for my baby. A pocket could have been incorporated in the hood area. RATING: A

2. Chunei

I was very excited to get a chunei (for $7 on consignment). However, my excitement faded once I tried my 1 year old in the carrier. I found that the pressure the carrier put on my son's legs directly applied to my hips. There wasn't a way around this. I do think, however, that this will be an excellent infant carrier. Another downfall is that the velcro is "wake-your-baby-up loud". Newer chunei's have gone away from velcro. RATING: C

4. My Self-Made Buckle-Tai

I worked very hard to create a buckle tai. It worked well for me for a while. But to be honest, after getting an ERGO, you can tell a big difference in the design and construction quality. My pretty fabrics did not stand the test of time either. I made this for $30 and a week's worth of work. It took a lot of time. I had a base pattern, but there were things that I added or changed that took a while to figure out. While I give myself an A for effort, my rating is a C. 

My carrier collection is ever expanding. I am looking into buying or making a Baby K'tan Baby Carrier. I'm interested to see if it has less fabric than a Moby wrap. I like that it will distribute the weight over both shoulders, but it does not look like it transfers any of the weight to the waist, which you can do with a Moby. I'll let you know if I get one to try.


Carriers are awesome and I feel so incredibly womanly when I wear my babies!

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Getting ready for baby number two

I'm officially blogging about baby number two before our friends and family know about it. Why? I've thus far kept my online life (as humble as it is) and my personal life separate. Thats just how I like it. We are very excited. Since we've switched to a midwife practice, we haven't had the early vaginal ultrasound and we're waiting until we hear the heartbeat to announce the good news.

Anyhow, I've been researching up a storm on how to get ready for this new baby due in 7 months. They will be 25 months apart. There are a lot of moms blogging about "two under two", which seems like it somewhat will apply. So, I'm assembling tips and tricks, mainly common sense.

I recommend the following websites:BabyBunching.com, themommyhoodmemos.com

The tips that they provide are all common sense. Mom: be on top of your game, give yourself a break when you are not. Dad: take the oldest under your wing, offer to pitch in more. With that in mind, I've formed on overly idealistic game plan for surviving with a newborn and a toddler.

Plan for Lil' C:

1. Read books about becoming a brother and about a new baby. I'll let you know which ones we like as we go.
2. Work on his ability to respond to verbal commands like come, stop, sit, and others helpful cues. 
3. Give him more opportunities to walk around with me.
4. Ease him into the new routines that we'll likely have once the baby comes.
5. Get a baby doll and start practicing holding it, showing affection. 
6. Encourage his independence for self care tasks.
7. Pre-plan table or busy bag activities for him to do while I am nursing.
8. Encourage more outings with Daddy. 

Plan for Daddy & Mommy: 

1. Lower my expectations. We're in a pretty good groove right now, but I know that's going to take some time to re-establish. 
2. Take one nap a day. I am praying that I'll be able to align one of their naps. 
3. Stock the freezer with go-to meals for the first two weeks. 
4. Pre-section snacks so that they are easy to grab. 
5. Find a way to date. Keep up our weekly Netflix movie night that comes standard with home-popped popcorn. 
6. Have a basic grocery list so that mommy brain won't get the best of me. Leave one in husband's car so he'll be able to do the shopping in a pinch. 
7. Wake up before they do. * This will be hard for me. I'm not sure how I'll be able to get dressed otherwise. I really just need 15 minutes. 
8. Get ready for the next day once they are asleep.
1. Restock diaper bag & backpack.
2. Prepare bottles, breakfast & lunches.
3. Plan for the next day, check weather & calendar
9. Get a stroller and a half or a double stroller. 
10. Utilize all of my baby carrying gear like my Moby Wrap & Maya Ring Sling (both of which I'd like to spice them up to make them prettier) and my ERGO. I actually picked up a chunei (for $7!) which I am excited to use with a newborn. 
11. Breakout all of the old baby gear; swing, bumbo, pack-n-play, bouncer, play gym. Wash ahead of time.
12. Create a modest baby registry... just in case anyone wants to get me something. 
13. Get out of the house when the weather is good. 

This is part of my plan for now. It is out of my head and into cyberspace. I hope that it will work and help others!

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Potty Training Update @ 16 months

Well, a lot of time has passed since we first started elimination communication (part-time), so I thought that I would update how it has been going. We've been mainly giving "potty-tunities" after waking up, which is about 3x a day.

Because our bathroom is not baby friendly, I keep the door shut all day. This limited his view and accessibility to the potty. So, I decided to put a picture of the potty, with the word written below on the door. Then, every time I took him to the bathroom, I taped the picture, then signed, and also said "potty". This worked surprisingly well, except that he also began using it to just get into the bathroom, not go potty. So, I had to make sure that we stayed on task. Each time, I allowed him to wash his hands, which he loves doing.

That was going pretty well. And then sometime when he was 15 months old, he started saying and signing "potty". This was really cool. Sometimes he actually peed. He also started saying "bye pee-pee" when I flushed the toilet.

This past Christmas, we traveled for 10 days. I was worried about losing our routine, so I bought a Potette Plus. I love how small it is. He was able to use it several times on the trip, but started to fight me on it. Since we've come home, he's been on a pretty major potty pause. It's likely due to all of the verbal progression he's been making lately. Luckily I don't have an agenda or need to force anything on him. So, I'm back to just trying first thing in the morning.

I hope that now we are back home and getting into a routine, he will rediscover the joy of diaper free elimination. 

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Free Resource: Library

This may sound like a no brainer, but using the library has cut down materials budget tremendously. Through my library's website, I am able to reserve all of the books for his curriculum. Not to mention, I can check out educational DVDs and homeschooling resources. With an antsy 16 month-old, it saves me so much time and hassle to be able to walk to the front desk and have all of my materials waiting for me! Our library also has a decent toddler story time, so if I time it right, it can be a very productive outing.

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Toddler Preschool

Now that my 16 month little guy is curious about everything, I can't help but fuel his curiosity. The FREE 2 year old curriculum provided by www.abcjesusloveme.com which seems to blend the right amount of academic, faith, and fun. I hope to use this as a framework for information and activities that I expose him to, but do not force on him. In addition, I will probably use Montessori type activities to supplement his need for hands on activities. I am like a sponge looking for new resources over the internet, so if you have any, please leave me a comment. Look out for upcoming posts about inexpensive enrichment activities.

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Misadventures of Co-Sleeping

Before I had my baby, I hadn't made up my mind about where my baby would sleep, but my husband had. "He'll be sleeping in his crib, where he belongs." Besides, we have a queen size bed with little room for a baby. After a few nights of breastfeeding for 20 minutes every 2 hours, that plan was out the window. I would try to stick to feeding and then putting him back to bed as long as I could, but I would eventually wake up too exhausted to do either.

So, I brought him into bed with me. At first it was glorious. When he woke up in the middle of the night, I would bring him to bed with us, then roll to my side and I'd fall asleep with him feeding. I would occasionally wake up to a peaceful baby, it felt like this was how it was meant to be, mother and child.

A few times later I learned the hard way that keeping a receiving blanket under him diaper failures was a necessity. Then he started spiting up profusely because I hadn't burped him while I was asleep (probably an error in judgement on my part). And then he got a stuffy nose. All night I tried to sleep, but was unable to do so with his labored breathing. He is a LIGHT sleeper for the most part. If I even thought about moving, he would wake up. This just didn't seem good for him. It also started to crowd out my husband.

So, he now sleeps regularly through the majority of the night in his crib. Often I bring him into bed with me because he insists on a 5AM feeding, then wakes up at 7. I enjoy the time that we get to sleep together. He wakes up in the morning so happy, that I can't help but join in and reap the reward of smiles.

Could I have co-slept better? Certainly yes. The co-sleeper bassinets are a fantastic idea. I wish that I had purchased the Arm's Reach Co-Sleeper Mini Bassinet Convertible because would have provided him with his own safe area to sleep, also it could also act as a pack-n-play. The commonly available The First Years Secure Sleeper would have been nice if we'd had a larger bed.

Do I think co-sleeping is right or wrong? I think it is up to the parent to make an informed decision. Learn the precautions that need to be made from books like Sleeping with Your Baby: A Parent's Guide to Cosleeping. If you'd like, try it. Don't knock it until you have. It wasn't the right situation for me, but I know that it has been great for others.

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Preparing to travel with 3 month old

So far I've managed to mother my little one with dignity and without being chastised. Flying alone with an infant and several hundred other people will challenge that. I used to be one of those people that would be mortified to inconvenience anyone, but I'm slowly getting used to the fact that babies aren't don't share the same sentiment. So, like any mother, I plan ahead and hope for the best.

I am extremely meticulous, and while this list is overkill, it keeps me sane. From all of the information I have found, this is my game plan:

• Be Prepared! Pack Smart:
• Check one rolling bag
• Clothes for me and baby for the week
• Everything needed for pumping and feeding
• Carry on one mommy bag
• Flight Tickets, Identification
• Change of clothes
• Empty water bottle (refill after passing security)
• Have both baby and mommy liquids in plastic bag assessable for security
• Carry on one diaper bag
• Stocked with diapers, wipes, changing pad, 2 sets clothes, socks, hats, bibs, burp cloths, blankets, nursing cover, pacifier, you name it!
• Have bottle(s) easily accessible for checkpoint
• Any entertainment items such as ipod. I doubt I'll be able to read a book!
• Pack an extra snack
• Be Courteous! Travel Smart:
• Pass through security
• If available, locate the family security lane
• Take off shoes, grab liquids bag and bottles
• Remove baby from stroller and pass through security together
• Put baby back in stroller and obtain all personal items
• Put on shoes and restore everything to its correct bag
• Check in at the gate and select seat preferences.
• Arrange to board the plane first
• Get tags for checking the car seat and stroller at the gate
• Tip:  Cover the car seat with a plastic trash bag in the event of rain. Check the weather to see if this is necessary
• Use family bathroom and diaper baby
• Board Plane
• Present tickets to gate attendant
• Gather bags and stroll baby to end of jet way
• Remove car seat. Fold up stroller, give to attendant
• Remove baby from the car seat and give the car seat to attendant
• Gather bags and board the plane. Accept any help offered
• Place the mommy bag in the overhead bin
• Keep the diaper bag stowed at feet
• Place baby in lap. Play with baby until plane is ready for takeoff
• Flying
• Feed or discreetly nurse baby during takeoff
• Except if baby is already sleeping!
• Relax and try to keep baby happy or asleep for the remainder of the flight.
• Experienced parents insert chuckle here.
• Exiting Plane
• Pack up baby bag
• Wait for most of the passengers to exit. 
• Obtain overhead bag, ask for help if needed. 
• Obtain stroller and car seat. Place baby in car seat. Then attach car seat to stroller.
• Load stroller with bags. 
• Repeat necessary steps if boarding a connecting plane.
• Locate next departure gate while still seated on plane. Check that it is still correct.  
• Leaving the Airport
• Visit a bathroom to diaper baby.
• The remainder should be pretty standard.
• Remember to keep a hand on stroller and have an eye on the baby at all times.
• Install car seat in transportation.

 So, what do you think? Would you do anything differently? My baby isn't fond of being carried in a sling or wrap for a long time, so that is why I'm sticking to the car seat/stroller method. Any tips or advice are appreciated! I'll blog or comment about how it really went after the trip!

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