Our move to Korea has made me very thankful that we utilize baby carriers. The bumpy, cracked, and crowded streets would make it impossible to maneuver a stroller. With all the tiny parking spaces here I could not imagine taking out our 30+ pound Graco travel system (stroller and car seat) out of our car anyways. It was rough doing that anywhere! Bouncing around in an umbrella stroller probably isn’t all that fun too.
As you can see, Vivian loves being in baby carriers. When she was younger, the gently bouncing of us walking would remind her of how she felt when she was in the womb and soothe her to sleep. Now that she’s older, she likes being at our eye level and taking in her surroundings compared to being in a stroller where all she would be able to see are other people’s legs.
Babywearing has numerous benefits for both mothers and babies. Fussy babies can be calmed down by the security of having their caretakers close by. This closeness also provides babies more opportunities to notice the use of facial expressions and language. Babies spend less of their time crying and more of their time observing their environment. Baby carriers allow skin to skin contact while leaving your arms free to fold laundry, wash dishes, shop, and even bathe (water wrap from Wrapsody)! Skin to skin contact raises progesterone levels in mothers which helps establish her milk supply and lower the chances of postpartum depression. All these benefits and no tired arms!
Babywearing is very comfortable if you find the right carrier and use it correctly. Most common complaints stem from carriers bought at big retail stores like Babies R Us, Target, and Walmart. These carriers often do not distribute the baby’s weight correctly and/or lack sufficient padding. Your best bet is to buy from companies started by moms who have been there, tried those. I love my wraps from Moby and Wrapsody because they distribute the babies weight all over your back and you can comfortably wear your baby for hours. For Christmas, Curtiss got me a Beco Butterfly which is like a mei tai but with buckles – sort of like an ergonomic version of the Baby Bjorn. Also, all these carriers come in beautiful patterns and designs!
So instead of sticking Vivian in a playpen or plopping her in front of a TV when we need to get something done, we wear her, take her along, and make her an active participant in our lives. After all, she isn’t a burden. Baby carriers allow Vivian to feel secure so she can focus on learning about the world around her. They are an essential part of our lives – at least until she learns to walk!
Stay connected and enjoy your family,
Michelle, Curtiss, and Vivian
