Best Baby Carrier Ever!

Now that my youngest child is two, our baby carrier is sadly on its way to being obsolete, BUT, I still love it so much! This carrier has helped me in so many ways and I do feel it is the best piece of baby equipment we have ever bought.

Why I love the Beco Baby Carrier

We purchased a few of the more inexpensive carriers with our first child, and let me tell you, they were very uncomfortable! My back would be sore, my baby would be leaning in a strange position, and we would ultimately end up taking it off in frustration.

When my daughter was born, we splurged a bit more on the Beco and it was soooo worth it:

• The thick padding makes it supportive and comfortable, even after wearing it for over 2 hours! 
• It is easy to adjust with one hand
• It is very light weight and easy to wash
• You can  wear your baby in 4 different carrying positions which is pretty versatile
• My daughter has fallen asleep in it a million times. Plus, it's super cute :)

We all know that babies are much happier when you hold them. That's just the way it is! Using the Beco has allowed me to be hands free when I really needed to make dinner AND hold a crying baby (who, for the record, always stopped crying when she was in the baby carrier!)

It has also allowed me to go in to stores without lugging around an awkward, back-breaking infant car seat, OR, bust out my stroller which never seems to fit into any of the stores I ever go into!

I even wore my daughter in the carrier when I was in dance rehearsals, and she was so calm and relaxed in it. (for the record, she does have clothes on in this picture!)

Even today, we still use the carrier for longer hikes, so I'm not ready to give it up yet! I keep it in the trunk of my car just in case we need it.

If you aren't familiar with the benefits of baby wearing, check out my previous article here.

Happy Baby Wearing!

Babywearing

Babies like and need to be close to their mothers. The feeling is pretty mutual (most of the time!) My son was quite content to sit on the floor and amuse himself, but only for a little while. Then, he wanted UP. I can sympathize...being on the floor or in a high chair probably gets pretty boring. Life is happening all around and a baby who sits on the floor is missing out on a lot of exciting sights, sounds, tastes, and sensations.

Fynn getting cozy in a Hotsling

Having said that, babies are heavy. And...they just keep getting heavier.  That's where babywearing comes in!  Wearing your baby means using a sling, wrap, or carrier to keep your baby close while relieving your aching arms and impending carpal-tunnel syndrome. Best of all...you're hands free! Meaning you can get other things accomplished while you give your baby all of the love, stimulation, and support that he needs.

The Research

According to research conducted by Michael L. Commons and Patrice M. Miller at Harvard University, infants who are given more physical contact are more likely to develop a secure attachment to their caregiver, and, they will also be more likely to develop secure relationships as adults.

The ever popular North American “let them cry” approach may actually foster more anxiety and stress than independence and security. “I think there's a real resistance in this culture to caring for children," Commons says, adding that, "But punishment and abandonment has never been a good way to get warm, caring, independent people."

Dr. Maria Blois, author of Babywearing (Pharmasoft Publishing, 2005), confirms that babies who are worn are also exposed to more stimuli and thus, tend to learn faster and achieve more brain development than babies who are not carried. When a baby is held in a caregiver's arms, she is experiencing the world at the same physical level of adults; she sees more, touches more, feels more, and hears more than babies who are carried at knee level in a stroller or car seat.

Finding the Right Baby Carrier

There are many baby carrier companies out there, and each parent will have his or her own preference. Most caregivers have a wrap and sling in their baby care collection and use each one for different purposes. 

For instance, I tended to use a sling when I was baking because I didn't want my baby to be able to stick his hands in batter (tested that theory). Instead I would wear him on my back or a side sling. 
When walking or hiking, I used my soft carrier, for even body weight distribution.

There are so many great carriers out there, my favourite happened to be ____________Make sure to read reviews for the ones you are interested in and then start your process of elimination till you find the right one for you!.  Definitely getone for your husband or partner because some carriers have sizing differences.

Bottom line: if it isn't comfortable, you won't wear it. And you really need to wear one because babies want to be carried a lot! If you can, spend the extra money to get the one that gets the best reviews, it is so worth it!

Make sure to read the instructions and safety tips that come with your carrier. Even though some things seem like common sense, it's best to double check when it comes to your precious cargo.

No matter which one you choose, your baby will experience a secure, safe, and nurturing environment that will ultimately liberate both you and your child.

Reference:

Powell, Alvin. “Children Need Touching and Attention, Harvard Researchers Say”. The Harvard University Gazette. April 1998.

Make Your Own Baby Wipes

Did you know the average baby wipe contains ingredients that are linked to either known or suspected endocrine disrupters, neurotoxins, irritants, and carciongenics.(1)  Yuck. Think of how often a baby gets wiped down with that sad little toxic cocktail. Not to worry! Although there are great companies out there  (Aleva Naturals, Jackson Reece) making super clean baby wipes, it's even better for the planet (and your wallet) to just make your own.

If you're super crafty you can literally make the wipes (ie. sew some pieces of cotton/flannel squares). If not...you can cheat a little (like me) and buy cotton reusable wipes from your favourite local baby company. I personally favour a brand called Indisposables which are nice and heavy duty, but to each their own. 


Here's what you need:

• A stack (10-12) cotton baby wipes
• A container that has a proper seal (even an old plastic wipe container will do)
• 1 cup of water
• 1 splash of liquid baby soap
• 1 drop of Tea Tree oil
• 1 drop of Lavender oil

Here's what you do:

• In your container, mix water, soap, and essential oils
• Place folded wipes inside container and flip upside down so each wipe gets saturated
• That's it. Easy Peasy. 

Notes: 

*I use Tea Tree oil because it's a great antibacterial and antiseptic oil, but it's very strong smelling so just a drop or two will do.

If you choose to use a different oil, make sure it's baby safe. Some oils are too potent and can actually cause harm, so always do your research first!
*Toss dirty wipes in your diaper pail and wash them with your diapers
*Clean out your wipe container each time you make a new batch

(1) Source: Environmental Working Group: Skin Deep Database