Babywearing – Not a Fad, A Lifestyle.

I once declared that I could not be a mom if I did not wear my baby. You may think that’s extreme, but for me it’s completely true. I have a demanding child, plus I want to go back to ancestral roots and forgo the modern mainstream. I have an adventure baby; so, seeing the world is just one of many things she has demanded in the past year. But one of the things I demanded was that I would not buy an infant car seat.

Say whaaaat?

Yes, you heard me. It was not an option for me to buy an infant seat, but instead, one that would accommodate a newborn and continue to rear-face for older children. There is much research that suggests a child should not be in a car seat for more than 15 minutes if not in the car. Plus, if my child grows out of it in a year, it was a big waste of money and materials since car seats are supposed to be a one owner kind of product. On top of it all, the one other place I would use the car seat out of the car is on top of a grocery cart, but that in itself is a big “no-no”. All of it together, I asked myself why an infant seat was even necessary and explored the wonderful world of babywearing.

Babywearing in Oklahoma CIty
Ring sling & 2 wraps braided while not being used.

In Oklahoma City, we have some great resources for babywearing! I am a part of Babywearing International of OKC and have been helped immensely by both the certified babywearing educators in their group and just other members in general. I have built friendships, gone on playdates, and attended meetings with these women in order to grow relationships and learn more! I have learned about proper seats and techniques from this group and I have even bravely ventured into the world of woven wraps. While there was a learning curve for using several yards of fabric instead of a quick buckled carrier, I have found help and confidence in carrying my child on my back.

OKC is also home to Piper at The Babywearing Doula and The Worn Baby. She makes, sells, and converts carriers right here in the metro! Other places that carriers can be bought are The Changing Table and Green Bambino. They both have Soft Structured Carriers, slings, and more that can be tried on in the store!

As I continued to research and learn, I uncovered so many benefits of babywearing. It meant that my child got time snuggling rather than isolated in a car seat. It exercises the same muscles as tummy time, and helps with respiration and fussiness in babies. I could breastfeed in it, cook, and (ahem) in emergencies I can even go to the bathroom while wearing my child!

Babywearing is not a fad it's a lifestyle
Hiking with Soft-Structured Carriers.

Very early on, I saw its beneficial effects; from great head control and muscle structure to alertness and engagement with the world. Some days it was (and is) the only way I can keep my sanity. And other days it’s the only way I can accomplish anything on my to-do list.

Having suffered a serious back injury in high school, I can truly say that even someone with back problems can still wear their baby comfortably! I have worn her since she was 4 days old and now she is over a year. She has been in a ring sling, pouch sling, stretchy wrap, woven wrap, and ergonomic carrier. I have worn her on airplanes and hiked through the jungle with her.

So are you new to babywearing or a veteran wearer? How has it impacted your life?

Previous articleIndoor Sanity Savers
Next articleHow do we teach our children about thankfulness?
Kara Carrero
Kara is married and has one daughter and plans to have a large family. She loves being a eco-conscious mom and is a huge advocate of the organic, all natural, and "leave no trace" kind of lifestyle. She is a certified History and English teacher and uses her degrees to write freelance curriculum and run www.ALLterNATIVElearning.com. She is a Christian, an environmentalist, a researcher, a teacher, a mom, and an entrepreneur. She and her husband blog about DIY and renovating their OKC house at http://rehabit.at

4 COMMENTS

  1. I loved wearing my daughter when she was younger. It was a great way to get things done when she needed to be held, to travel places without the bulk of carrying equipment, and just a great way to hold her and snuggle for a long time without the pain in my back! For a while the only place she would nap was the moby next to my chest. We didnt go as far as to not have a stroller or car seat–we did use those at times but we also enjoyed the sling, mei tai wrap, and moby often!

  2. This would be great info if it were more truthful. The local leaders of BWI are not certified and should not claim that they are. I’ve found their group exclusionary and cliqueish. I love babywearing, but cannot be part of a group who shuns moms for not having the most expensive wrap. I’m disappointed that so much of this article focuses on a group that does not help new mothers.

    • I am so sorry you have had a bad experience. My purpose in writing this is to expose the benefits of babywearing and provide local resources for those interested. I support any and all groups in the area which is why I tried to focus on my own experiences first and foremost and mention other local resources in the area to connect readers . I would never intentionally give any false information and always just convey my own experiences in my writing. For example, wrote about a local grocer before, I reported my experience and wanted to expose their existence. The Babywearing International Site lists them as a chapter and being certified VBEs and I fully trust what they teach. Plus the Babywearing Around Tulsa group that I had original connections with referred me to BWI of OKC. As a first time mom, they did help me and were the resource I had. So I just wanted to share my experience and that was what I wrote about.

      The couple of times I have gone to a meeting or play date, I have asked specific questions and had them answered and had demonstrations of what to do. That was valuable to me as a mom who wanted to wear my baby and needed someone to show me how to do something.

      I had a no-name wrap given to me by the leader of the group just so I could have a wrap and I also had an ergo I got on clearance; both I used until my daughter was 10 months old and never felt like anyone looked down on me for either. While I have not spent extensive time with the group, the times I have interacted with them or gone on play dates have been informative and positive experiences.

      Again, I am sorry you had a negative experience, and hopefully you have found support in another group because in the end it’s about wearing and bonding with your baby and not being a part of a group.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here