International Babywearing Week 11/12-11/18

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My friend Stephanie over at Adventures in Babywearing replied to a text that I sent her last night telling me that it’s not too late to post about International Babywearing Week, November 12th-18th.

Regrettably, I did not wear my one and only child when she was a baby. I was intrigued by the babywearers in my mom’s group and online but just wasn’t sure if it was for me. In retrospect, that was a silly thought. Babywearing is for anybody . Most of all, babywearing is for your baby. To feel a mother’s closeness is safe and reassuring and that is something any baby needs. And for a mother, feeling her baby so close is sweet and heavenly, not to mention extremely convenient.

Don’t get me wrong, I dabbled in babywearing. I even own a sling, pouch, and wrap. I’m saving them to use with the next member of our family.

The first time that I tried to wear Hailey was somewhat disastrous. My first carrier was the Evenflo Snugli. When I say disastrous, I mean when I tried to lift her and place her into the carrier, I bumped her head on the chandelier above the dining room table. I cried and cried and felt like a horrible mother. I swore I would never use that thing again.

I know, it looks ridiculous. My mom and I laughed so much because Hailey was obviously too small to wear in this carrier. Honestly, the Snugli was so much of a pain with all of the straps, I would not use a carrier like this one again.

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I also own a Rockin’ Baby Sling: The Ziggy Stardust Loves Nicole pouch (below). I’m actually just modeling it here. Truthfully, I just never wore her:

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One carrier I wish that I would have owned and used is the Baby Hawk carrier. Here is my friend, Kerry, wearing her youngest at the park. Super convenient when you’re chasing after your toddler:

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Wearing your babe isn’t just for women. A lot of men wear their kiddos too. I think it’s quite nice to see a man bond with his child like that. Here is Conor, the husband/dad of What to do, Poopsy Woo? wearing his youngest in a Wise Woman ring sling:

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Now that I’ve been formerly introduced to babywearing and have a network of friends and acquaintances who do so, the next member of our little family will be worn. Because it’s a kind of bonding that I want to experience myself.

Stephanie the babywearer has a link-up over at her blog where if you post about babywearing during International Babywearing week and link up on her post, you will be entered to win either a Pop Nest Sling or a Sparrow Hatchling Sling from Nonny & Boo.

Even if you aren’t a babywearer, like me, I hope you take a moment to familiarize yourself with the benefits of babywearing. Celebrate Babywearing!