Wednesday 27 February 2013

ISO (in search of)

There are many different acronyms out there in the babywearing world, so I thought I would do a focus on one you see a lot.

ISO - In Search Of

On the swap threads people will use this to indicate what they are willing to trade their wrap for. Or they could just make a post just to say they are looking for a specific wrap. As some of you might know, the feeling of searching for a wrap can feel quite desperate, so searchers will try all they can to find what they are looking for.

Luckily the babywearing community is really lovely, and look to help one another wrap with their dream wrap (or what some people call their "unicorn": the unattainable). I personally love helping someone find what they are looking for. I know I have had someone connect me with a wrap I was looking for and I felt that I was really cared for by people I don't even know.

As much as babywearing is about cuddling with your babies, the added perk is getting to know this wonderful community. So if you discover a wrap you know someone is looking for, connect them! It feels so awesome to help out!


Monday 25 February 2013

Guest Post: Babywearing with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Tonight we will be featuring a guest post from a local Mum who wanted to showcase some of the amazing, diverse qualities of Babywearing! Enjoy!

My name is Barbara. I am a mother, a wife, and a babywearing advocate! I also happen to have Rheumatoid Arthritis. (For those of you who aren’t familiar with RA, it is an autoimmune disease in which my body thinks my joints are something foreign, so it attacks them. It causes pain and long term damage when not managed).

My daughter was born with no complications VIA C-section. The first 6 weeks were rough. I was told that I could not lift anything heavier than my baby. Okay! Except, wait, my daughter wants to be held ALL THE TIME and my wrists are getting sore. Maybe I’ll go for a walk. Okay! Except, wait, all I have is a stroller which weighs nearly as much as me and I live up a set of stairs. Hm.

I started babywearing on the advice of my family doctor. She suggested that to save my wrists and save my sanity I look into a carrier. I went through a few different carriers to find something that really worked well for me. Our first carrier was a super pretty Beco Butterfly II I bought second hand off our local swap group. I remember being shocked that the woman I bought it from had SEVERAL of these “expensive” carriers. Why would she need more than one? I asked my husband. Little did I know...
Me wearing Evelyn in our Beco Butterfly II at two months old     
We soon found that these babywearing thing-a-ma-bobs actually made life easier. And more fun! We were able to snuggle our baby close. And our 5 year old nephew!
Wearing a Mei Tai
I tried several different styles of carriers before finding what worked best for our family. For my husband, Tim, he appreciates the simplicity and ease of a soft structured carrier. So we retired the Beco and bought a little less girly Ergo, which he is quite comfortable using.
Halloween 2012 in an Ergo
And for myself I found love in woven wraps, and wrap conversion ring slings

In our Storchenwiege WCRS in Vicki – fast asleep


I often get asked variations of the following questions:

“Isn’t that hard on your wrists/hands/knees/feet?”

And the truthful answer is, sometimes yes, it is. But because of my RA I would have that same pain if I was pushing a stroller or if I was wearing my daughter. Personally, if I am having a bad day I feel safer having her close to me. I know that I won’t accidentally let go of her if a jab of pain hits.

“Wouldn’t it be easier to just push a stroller?”

Actually, no! We sometimes use a lightweight umbrella stroller when my daughter insists, or when we have more babies with us on visits. When I push the stroller it puts more strain on my wrists and hands from needing to stay in the same position for so long. I also get worried that if I have pain, or stumble (which I do often) I will accidentally let go of the stroller.

“Do you need help doing that?” (Usually as I put my daughter up on my back)

Nope! I know I look very awkward doing what I am doing, but I have found ways that work for me without causing pain or stiffness later on. If I need help I am not shy about asking for it!

“Does your baby really LIKE being carried all the time?”

She loves it.




Sunday 24 February 2013

Carries of Our Week

Sunday, Feb. 17th, 2013:
Rhianna:
Elias in Heartiness Custom dyed Size 5

Carry: Reinforce Ruck with a Candy Cane Chest Belt

Jamie:
Miles in Didymos Orient Size 3

Carry: Reinforced Ruck with a Candy Cane chest belt

Monday, Feb. 18th, 2013:
Rhianna:
Elias in Ellevill Zara Red and White Size 6

Carry: Double Hammock

Jamie:

Miles in Didymos Orient Size 3

Carry: Ruck Tied Tibetan

Tuesday, Feb. 19th, 2013:
Rhianna:

Elias in Linuscka Kalejdoskop Gleb Size 4

 Carry: Front Wrap Cross Carry

Jamie: 

Miles in Linushcka Kalejdoskop Lila Size 4

Carry: Ruck Tied Tibetan

Wednesday, Feb 20th, 2013:
Rhianna:
Elias in Ellevill Zara Red and White Size 6

Carry: Double Hammock

Jamie
Miles in Didymos India Size 2

Carry: Ruck tied in front

Thursday, Feb. 21st, 2013:
Rhianna:

Elias in Linuscka Kalejdoskop Gleb Size 4
Carry: Robin's Hip Carry

Jamie:
Miles in Oscha Starry Night Vespers Size 6

Carry: Double Hammock with an made up chest belt (because I had too much tail on one side)

Friday. Feb. 22nd, 2013:
Rhianna:

Elias in Ellevill Zara Red and White Size 6

Carry: Front Wrap Cross Carry

Jamie:

Miles in Oscha Starry Night Vespers Size 4/5

 Carry: Double Hammock with a Lexi twist

Saturday, Feb. 23rd, 2013:
Rhianna:

Elias in Linuschka Kalejdoskop Gleb Size 4

Carry: Double Hammock

Jamie

Miles in Oscha Starry Night Vespers Size 4/5

Carry: Double Hammock with a half knot chest belt

Featured Carry: 
Ruck, this was our local groups "Carry of the Week" so you see a lot of it here. Here are some great links:

Babywearing Faith:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KOJkQaPwSo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8p8aeW8J4Y

Saturday 23 February 2013

Community


So after my last post I got to thinking about motherhood and communities. I remember when I first had my son and Jamie was talking about joining a babywearing group on Facebook, I thought it was BIZARRE. Strap your baby on, good to go. Full stop. What do you need a group for?
Aside from the nonstop wrap discussions that take place, it's more than that. Having any kind of community to share in the moments of early motherhood is such a gift. Sorry to be a bit cheesy, but it's true. I feel so grateful for the mums I have met in my prenatal class, at baby group each week and in our local baby wearing Facebook group. It's a place to learn, share and experience the new, scary and amazing moments of motherhood with such a diverse and interesting group of women.
I love that baby wearing has allowed me the opportunity to meet a group of mums who I can learn from and share with. And also conveniently talk endlessly about this BIZARRE world of fabric!

Also, I guess I want to add that if you are still thinking this is all a bit bizarre. If you're in the 'strap on your baby and go' category - that is a-okay. No judgement. Stop by and get support if you need it, join in when you want to, but at the end of the day if your baby is close and you are happy the rest is all just extra.
Anyone else have the experience of unexpectedly finding themselves in a new mum-community and really feeling at home?

The Mums from my prenatal class

Friday 22 February 2013

Mustering Up the Courage

As I may have stated before, I had a wrap that was too long, I traded it and always regretted it. So when I had the opportunity to buy Starry Night Vespers (my dream wrap), it didn't matter that it was too big. Today I did what I was too scared to do with my Indio a few months back, chop it!
Front to back: Linuschka Kalejdoskop Lila Size 4, Oscha Starry Night Vespers (now) Size 4/5, Oscha Strato Aequus Size 2
My collection of purple wraps! They all served a purpose in this difficult task. Strato I used to mimic the oscha taper, to make it easier to cut. Lila is my favourite length, so I used that to see how long to cut it. 


Nothing is as striking as a beautiful wrap completely laid out! I had never really seen it like this, and it just made it hard to chop, but gosh it is so long...must be done!

The point of the chop! I just had to stab my favourite wrap, nothing compared to what happened next. I was VERY hesitant. 



We did this in a cheating kind of way, instead of measuring out the taper, I used another Oscha taper. I know cue the gasps, but they are almost identical I checked! Plus this wrap is never leaving, so it is mine to devalue! HAHA









I don't think I took one breath the entire time. People were asking if me or the wrap cried, but there were no tears. Vespers and I both knew that two people get to love it now, why not share the love. (The 1 meter scrap can be used to make all sorts of things) 


What's done, is done! And now to be re-hemmed, and delivered to a local Mum to make some wonderful creation!!


Thursday 21 February 2013

Sleepy Baby Snuggles

Miles in Girasol Chococabana Size 5

It is hard as a parent when your child passes through the phases of life, having to let go of who they were before and accept who they are now. You really have to challenge yourself to live in the moment, which I found to be difficult in the first year of Miles' life. I kept pining for those newborn cuddles and getting excited for the next milestone. I think it was when Miles turned 4 months old I decided to live in the present and really enjoy what he was doing at that moment. So now I am chasing after an energetic, talkative, funny toddler and only sometimes do I miss my little newborn.


Miles in Girasol Chococabana Size 5 
When I miss that newborn phase, where he would spend countless hours sleeping on my chest I turn to babywearing. For the most part he is still just as silly on my back chatting (obviously non-sensical gibberish) and waving to every single stranger and animal and car we see. But every so often, when I time it just right, I get my newborn snuggles with my big man. When he naps on me, my heart gets full and nothing could wreck my day. 

Miles in Girasol Chococabana Size 5

I know most people think having a 20 pound toddler sleeping on you for an hour and half would be awful, but they are wrong or probably had the wrong carrier for them if they tried it. It seems like most weekends when my husband and I want to go out for a nice breakfast, we end up going at Miles' nap time. Luckily, he falls asleep in the car and I take him out and wrap him up. Then I get to eat my lovely meal with my lovely husband and soak up every bit of Miles that I can, because I know these moments are fleeting with my growing boy. 


Miles in Vatanai Solsbury Size 4

Wednesday 20 February 2013

The Feeling of Success

Miles in Didymos Nature Linen Indio Size 7

So when you first start wrapping, your carry might look like mine up there, just awful. I was not experienced at all, I never had seen anyone wrap, was using an unbroken-in thick wrap and was wrapping with a 7 (3 sizes above my base size). Now that all the blaming is done, I just sucked at it. This first time was so hard I was sweating by the end. Miles could probably turn around in this Double Hammock it was so loose. I was lucky in one regard, that Miles was super patient with me. I made him sit through so many practice attempts.

Over the next few days and fail attempts, I got help and a smaller broken in wrap. And then this happened:

Miles in Girasol Chococabana Size 5

A high and tight Double Hammock. Wow I felt amazing, unfortunately this was before bedtime, so it didn't get much use. But from this moment on I had confidence in my wrapping abilities, which is very important. Once you are confident, you don't get as stressed, then your baby doesn't get stressed either. It really makes for a great experience. I cannot express to those who have never wrapped how amazing it is is when you get the passes just right, it is something that you have to experience. Not only will you be proud of your skills, but you can snuggle your wee one for hours and not feel the slightest bit of weight.


If you are a seasoned wrapper you understand what I am talking about, and if you are just starting out you will get there, don't worry! (It won't take too long either)

Tuesday 19 February 2013

Sharing the Love

Elias in a custom dyed Heartiness Size 5

I met a woman today who saw me wrapping and stopped her conversation to tell me about how she grew up in Africa where the women around her back-wrapped with a piece of cotton. She said she learned from them and that she then wrapped her own children (though she called it swaddling). Anyone else find this kind of interaction happens all the time when wearing their babies? Moms and Grandmas stop to tell me how they wrapped their kids when they were little. Other moms with wraps stop to chat about brands/blends/carries. Parents with their little ones in SSC carriers stop to ask what it is I am using. The odd Dad who is curious has asked about wraps. The inquisitive glance of a family with their little one in a stroller. And of course the passerby who are positive you need help when attempting a back wrap! Whatever the reason, it's always so fun to share stories and experiences about wearing Elias.

Elias Vatanai Aialik Whales Size 3
I think that one of the most interesting things about motherhood so far has been how women who wouldn't otherwise hang out, come together to share in the amazing journey of being a mum. I love that wraps are a beautiful, cozy way to engage with other parents and keep my little man close!


Elias in Ellevill Zara Curry Size 4
Any readers want to share stories about strangers they've met or friends they've made because of baby wearing? Please leave a comment, I'd love to read your stories!

Monday 18 February 2013

Wrap Lust

So some of you may be wrap addicts like Rhianna and I, or some of you might just be delving into the wrap world. But no matter what point you are on in your wrapping journey there is always the one wrap that snags your eye. At first you just stare at it, then you calculate if you can afford it, (when you can't) you think what can I sell in order to afford it, then you convince yourself you don't want it. Then when the wrap is sold, or is no longer available, or maybe some time just passes, you realize, this is it. This wrap is IT for you, if you could only have one wrap this would be the one. So you search and search, you scrounge up the money and then one day if you are lucky it will be yours, and that is a great feeling.

There are a few types of wrap lust, so I will tell my personal stories.

The Transforming Lust Wrap:

Didymos Marigold

My first wrap lust was Marigold, my heart still shutters a bit if I see it come up on the swap. I think it all started the first day I looked at the Canadian Babywearing Swap on facebook, before my wrapping days. There it was, a size 4 for $80 shipped. To me then, that was crazy expensive, and a size 4? I definitely needed a 6 because that is the base size. I now know that that is an amazing price for Marigold and my base size is a 4, but that is all in the past. For months after I got my first wrap, I would pine over the wrap that never was, occasionally one would turn up on the swap, but I already had a wrap at that point and why would you need more than one? Oh how times change.

Well months go by and I see another wrap called Solsbury, very similar to Marigold, being yellow it was on my radar too. And for Christmas, Rhianna gave me a package to open, and there was Solsbury. It was beautiful, but a part of me still pined for Marigold. Then what happened over the next few weeks was magic, this wrap stole my heart and now I don't give Marigold a second thought. So in turn Solsbury cured my wrap lust.


Vatanai Solsbury 
The Fling:
Oscha Strato Aequus Photo by: Kristy Westendorp Photography


There are wraps that "Wow" you right away. You see them and you are knocked off your feet. This for me was Oscha Strato Aequus, probably the coolest looking wrap in my books. When I was just getting comfortable with the swaps I saw this wrap on someone, and she was cool! Man, she was everything I would aspire to be with my looks. So I knew this wrap was one for me. This was in the prime Oscha craze of this year (there was a feeding frenzy every time one came up for sale). So one night there it was a RETAIL!!!! I snatched it up! I had to have it! And then it arrived, I was in awe, heart was fluttering. But with time this wrap has not kept the same lust, it is wonderful and I use it with pride, but it just doesn't have the same draw as it once did. Maybe that means one day this will be one of the first to go, but for now it will still make me feel a little cooler every time I wear it.

The Grower:
Didymos Orient/1001 Nights
Then there are wraps that catch your eye just because they are beautiful, but they are actually so much more. This wrap is Orient aka 1001 Nights. When it was released I thought it was spectacular, something different, but still classic. I had to try it and see if this peculiar pattern would suit me. When it arrived, I tried it on and it suited me perfectly, but more than that, the wrap itself was somehow in a league of it's own amongst its counterparts in my collection. This wrap was the friend that becomes the love of your life, not only do I love the way it looks, but we get along so well.

The Stolen Lust:

Storchenweige Leo Black and White

For me neutrals are always a draw, most of the wraps that I take a second look at are in a grey scale. So it is no surprise that this lovely was on my list of "to try wraps". Leo's are known to be great wraps, they will be awesome for a little baby, but could carry your mother. So when a great deal came up I had to jump on it, I don't think my husband was too happy when I said I was buying another wrap. But oh if that husband then could see himself now. Whenever we are going out I am pressured to bring the Leo, because "it is the best one". So now the lust of this wrap really belongs to my husband.

The One that Got Away:
Didymos Nature Linen Indio
When I was just looking into buying a wrap a local store had a sale. The sale was ridiculous and I knew I could not pass it up for any reason; not even that the only wrap was a size 7. So I bought this lovely Nature Linen Indio, NLI (what it is commonly referred to). So even though I had paid for a wrap that was being mailed from the states, this was my first wrap in hand. I wore it home that day in the most horrendous Double Hammock known to man, and then the next day went to my second Babywearing Meet Up (a woven wrap workshop). I then learned I had something special, and a wrap that was much too long for me. So I toyed with the idea of chopping it, but I chickened out. I traded it thinking that all wraps are the same and now I will be searching for it until it comes home again.

True Love:
Oscha Starry Night Vespers

Then there is THE wrap, the wrap that was made for you. It is like the designer sat down and asked you what you could dream up for a wrap. For me that wrap is and always was Vespers, it was released when I first started looking into wraps, at that point I didn't even know the brand Oscha. It was later that I realize these aren't easy to come by and when you do see them they are always for trade. But I lucked out that they just did a re-release of this beauty and was able to snag one. I was able to do this because of countless hours of refreshing their webpage until they were for sale. But I do not regret any moment of that time, because me and this wrap have a future together. This wrap will wrap all my babies and once that job is done it will be made into a wonderful garment for me to wear proudly.

Sunday 17 February 2013

Carries of Our Week

Sunday, Feb. 10th, 2013:
Rhianna:

Elias in Bebelulu Creature Size 7

Carry: Double Hammock

Jamie:
Miles in Vatanai Solsbury Size 4

Carry: Double Hammock tied at shoulder

Monday, Feb. 11th, 2013:

Rhianna:



Elias in Vatanai Whales Aialik Size 3

Carry: Kangaroo

Jamie:

Miles in Storchenwiege Leo B&W Size 5

Carry: Double Hammock with a Lexi twist

Tuesday, Feb. 12th, 2013:
There are few days in the middle that there are no photos of Miles and I, photos were a little tricky with my little sicky, sorry.


Rhianna:

Elias in Vatanai Whales Aialik Size 3

Carry: Kangaroo- untied

Wednesday, Feb 13th, 2013:

Rhianna:




Carry: Front Wrap Cross Carry

Thursday, Feb. 14th, 2013:

Rhianna:

Who knows, but it looks cozy!

Carry: Front Wrap Cross Carry

Friday, Feb. 15th, 2013:

Rhianna:
Elias in Bebelulu Creatures Size 7

Carry: Front Wrap Cross Carry

Jamie:
Miles in Linuschka Kalejdoscop Lila Size 4
Carry: Double Hammock with a twisted sternum chest belt

Saturday, Feb. 16th, 2013:

Rhianna:
Elias in a Custom dyed Heartiness Size 5

Carry: Reinforced Ruck with Candy Cane Chest Belt

Jamie:
Included two, because I a missing a few days (still have a incorporative Miles)
 
Miles in Didymos Aqua Pfau Size 5

Miles in Linuschka Kalejdoscop Lila Size 4

Carry: Double Hammock with a half knot chest belt

We both used Double Hammock a lot this week so I will include a video for that:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpiED3g4bLY

But I will also give you this awesome video on chest belts. The carry in the video is Ruck, but can be done with Double Hammock, because you end up with ruck straps.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Py-jXW1ufk