Carrier 101

Overwhelmed by how many types of carriers there are out there? Never fear! Your VBEs broke it all down at the January meeting. If you weren't able to make it, keep reading for a run-down of the major carrier types. :)

Ring Slings: Ring slings are a great option starting from newborn to toddler. It's a one shoulder carry that can be easily adjusted for a comfy fit for you and your baby. The bigger the baby/toddler, the shorter amount of time this carrier will be comfortable as it distributes weight on only one shoulder instead of two. For many mamas, this is a great carrier for quick trips in and out of the store. It's a great carrier for nursing as you can easily lower your baby to your breast and/or use the excess tail length for discreet nursing coverage. This is also great for front or hip carries. You can use it for quick back carry, but nothing too long term and you should be experienced with your ring sling before you try back wearing with one. Here's a great ring sling troubleshooting tutorial! 


Woven Wraps (and Stretchy Wraps): Woven wraps are the most versatile in the carrier world. They come in different sizes/lengths and can wrap any size baby/toddler. Great for front, hip or back carries. There are so many types of ways to use a woven wrap, you will never get bored. There is a bit of a learning curve when you begin learning how to wrap, but once you do you might not go back. Also great for nursing your baby on the go. Check out our past blog post with even more information on woven wraps and safety tips, including why stretchy wraps shouldn't be used for back carries!

Mei Tai: A Mei Tai is a traditional type of Chinese carrier. They can be used with newborns and into toddlerhood. It consists of a square panel of fabric and four straps. Some Mei Tais come with wider wrap straps, allowing for a woven wrap feel. These are said to be the best of both the soft structured carriers and woven wrap worlds, since they have features of both. A Mei Tai is tied on waist first, like you're tying on an apron. Your insert your baby in the body of the fabric and bring the straps around your opposite shoulders to tie off. Another great nursing on-the-go option! Here's a great video to watch for using a Mei Tai with a newborn.

Soft Structured Carrier: These are the mainstream carriers people tend to know the most about. There are many on the market and people have their favorites based on preference. SSC's or buckle carriers can be used for front, hip or back carries depending on which carrier you have. Some buckle carriers are more comfortable than others, so it's important to try a few out before you commit to one. A good waist belt can offer a lot of back support and padded straps make for comfy long term wearing. Can be used most often with newborns through toddlerhood, although you might need to use a few tricks to get a newborn fitting comfortably. Some buckle carriers are easier to nurse in than others due to lack of adjusting action.

Pouch Sling: Pouch slings are easily stowed in a diaper bag or purse. It's super important to have the right size specific to your body so your baby can be high, tight, and close enough to kiss. Not great for long term wearing as it is a one-shoulder carry. Not ideal for newborns or toddlers either, but fine in a pinch. These carriers do best for a baby sitting unassisted. 

As always, if you're unsure where to go from here or have ANY questions, feel free to ask a Volunteer Babywearing Educator in our Facebook Group or at our next meeting. We would love to meet with you!

DIY Carriers: Safety first!

If you're thinking of making your own carrier or just shopping for one, this guest post has some great tips and information for safety! 


By: Alena Sutherland

When making or shopping for a carrier, fiber content is a good place to start. I love natural fibers. 100% cotton, 100% linen or a cotton/linen blend is my kind of jam. But not all cotton is created equal. Bottom-weight is what you want. 

What does bottom-weight mean? It means a fabric you would make pants or a skirt out of. So all those lovely, pretty patterns on quilter's cotton are out, very sorry. Don't worry, they can make a great accent panel on a mei-tai or pocket on a ring sling tail.

So, what are safe fabrics? Osnaburg is a popular choice for DIY carriers. Natural in color, it takes to dye easily. It can be found at most Wal-Mart and Hobby Lobby locations, and sometimes JoAnn's. Bottom-weight linen is also a good choice. My friend recommends http://www.fabrics-store.com/ for linen. She says product number IL019 is good for wraps or ring slings and product number 4C22 works well for soft-structured carriers
and mei-tai panels. 

What about tablecloths? I hear about them online a lot...Yes, I love a great tablecloth as much as the next crazy DIY babywearer. 100% cotton is my preferred fiber content. Mahogany Brand on Amazon.com and Threshold brand from Target are a couple great 
brands to try. I love to hunt thrift stores like the Arc for tablecloths too, but have a good feel for fabric weight before you try this if you're new to babywearing DIY. 

How about curtains? If they feel like one of the tablecloths I mentioned above, go for it. Otherwise, take a pass. 

What about bedsheets? Only for emergencies, I say. And then, only doubled. They are too thin and not sturdy enough to hold a seam. 

If wrapping isn't your style, you'll need additional supplies to create the carrier of your dreams. 

What are safe rings for ring slings? I order from slingrings.com. They are saftey and weight tested and approved for babywearing. Multiple pretty colors to choose from and they ship quickly. If you're in a pinch, you can use rings purchased from a feed and tack store. Look for something that is at least 3/8” thick and has smooth welds. Craft rings which are 1/8” thick from JoAnn's, Michaels, Hobby Lobby, etc., are NOT SAFE. Please, plan the extra 3 or 4 days for shipping and buy from slingrings.com. 

Where to buy safe buckles/webbing for a soft structured carrier? Strapwork.com is the place to go for these items. I've never made a soft-structured carrier, so I have no personal experience with them. 

Thread? I like Gutermann thread. Other name-brand poly-coated threads should be just fine as well. 

Now, with your supplies in hand, what would you like to make?

Wrap
A wrap is the simplest to make. First, pre-wash your fabric. Then, simply cut to width and length, add tapers if they thrill you, and hem. Most wraps are 28”-30” wide. If you want tapers, be sure to cut them like a parallelogram, not a trapezoid. If you've forgotten your geometry, don't worry, here is a visual: 

You want the green parallelogram, not the red trapezoid. This way, you have the same length along both the top and bottom rails. How long would you like your wrap? This handy table from paxbaby.com is my favorite quick reference. I've added a column of “Length in yards” which I rounded to an easy-to-measure number so you know how much fabric to buy at the store. Keep in mind most fabrics shrink in the wash, so buy a little extra.

Size       Length in meters        Length in feet       Length in inches        Length in Yards

2            2.7                            8.86                     102.36                       3

3            3.1                           10.17                    122.05                        3.5

4            3.6                           11.81                    141.73                        4

5            4.2                           13.78                    165                             4.5

6            4.6                           15.09                    181.10                         5

7            5.2                           17.06                     204.72                        5.75

8            5.6                           18.37                    220.47                         6

Ring Sling
A ring sling sews up fairly quickly and easily. Your fabric should be about around 30” wide. Lengths vary from 62” to 95” finished. Finished means you need to add a few extra inches for your shoulder sewing. You pick a shoulder style: gathered, pleated, eesti(for personal use only, this shoulder style is licensed property to Jan at Sleeping Baby Productions). Be sure to have a minimum of 3 rows of stitching. Please visit http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/slingsize.html and http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/shoulders.html for some of the best information on the web for DIY ring slings. 

Asian-Style Carriers
Rather than re-inventing the wheel, I shall direct you to a fabulous blog for the nitty-gritty how-to-sew instructions. Please, when sewing these carriers use quality thread, attach straps to a sturdy inner layer of fabric, and reinforce attachment points with x-boxes, as shown below.  

Mei-Tai
http://www.fineandfairblog.com/2013/10/tablecloth-mei-tai-tutorial-with-wrap.html

And if you'd like a mei-tai and a ring sling from one tablecloth: 
http://www.fineandfairblog.com/2013/12/how-to-get-mei-tai-and-ring-sling-out.html

Onbuhimo (or Onbu)
http://www.fineandfairblog.com/2014/02/diy-tablecloth-onbuhimo-tutorial.html

Podaegi (or Pod)
http://wrap-pod.blogspot.com/


Remember, all of these DIY safety qualities should hold true when you're shopping on Etsy, Facebook swap groups, or elsewhere online. If you're ever unsure of the characteristics of a DIY carrier being sold online, go with your gut! The safety of your little one depends on it. Always compare prices to other retail sources. Sometimes, if the price is too good to be true, it is. And of course, you can always ask a VBE on the BWI Colorado Springs page for advice or a second opinion. Happy and safe babywearing!

Ways to get baby on your back

If you've been wearing your baby for awhile, you might find yourself getting curious about wearing baby on your back. Having two hands free with baby behind you can be invaluable. But we have to put the safety of our kiddos first and foremost. (If you're new to back carrying, please use the help of a spotter or practice over a couch or bed.) 

Here are some great videos to demonstrate how you get a baby on your back depending on your carrier type. 

Soft Structured Carriers are great options for back carrying. The waist belt can offer a lot of back support, and padded straps can make for a comfy wearing experience. Once you have the waist strap secured around your waist, you can use a "hip scoot" or a "superman toss" to get baby into the carrier on your back. Watch this video to see how it's done.

Woven Wraps are incredibly useful and versatile when back carrying. With some practice, you can get baby high and snug on your back. This can alleviate a lot of the discomfort that comes from having them too low or far from your body in other carriers. There are numerous back carries you can use with a woven wrap. A Mei Tai  is a lot like a SSC (soft structured carrier), but has the great comfort qualities of a woven wrap. For both a woven wrap and a mei tai, you can use a "hip scoot," "santa toss," or a "superman toss." The video below gives a great rundown of these methods. 

Again, remember to use a spotter or practice over a bed if you're new to back wearing. If you still have some questions, ask a Volunteer Babywearing Educator on our BWI Facebook page, or come to our next BWI Colorado Springs meeting! We look forward to seeing you there to answer your questions and get to know you better!

Where we wore in March

Here's where we wore in March!

Ashley T. wears her little one close while traveling to Erie, Pennsylvania. 

Jillian D. uses a Tree of Life Mei Tai while in a Gondola with her family in Breckenridge.

Natalie C. wears her baby while at the zoo with her kiddos.

Sarah L. visits the zoo's elephants while wearing her sleepy baby in a woven wrap.

Natalie C., Katie K. and Lauren B. visit the zoo while wearing their babies.

Jessa Z. and her boys in downtown San Diego, CA. 

Jessa Z. wears her toddler while at Scripps Aquarium in San Diego, CA.

Jessa Z. and her two boys smile for the camera while shopping in Orange County, CA. 

January Meeting at Cloth Diaper Market

Our most recent meeting at Cloth Diaper Market in Colorado Springs was a hit! Lots of a mamas came by the open house to learn from one another, ask questions and have a great time with the little ones. The lending library was open for everyone to try different sizes of woven wraps or see how they might like a certain soft structured carrier. Thanks to all the ladies that made this Saturday meeting a success! Look for future Saturday meetings in case you're unable to make weekday meetings. 



Amanda J. wears her daughter in a Robbin's Hip Carry.

Sarah M. and her son are comfy in a woven wrap converted into a Mei Tai.

Katie K. tries a wrap from the lending library . 

Jenni S. wears her sleepy daughter in a back carry.

Dannielle H. chats with other moms while her son plays on her back. 

Dannielle H. helps another momma perfect her back carry.

The babies at the meeting had a great time together!

Nicole R. holds her comfy baby boy in a ring sling.

Some of the meeting attendees chatting about their favorite carriers. 

A sleepy baby as content as can be wrapped up on his mom!

January Meeting

Thank you to all the ladies that joined us for our January meeting at the East Library. The kiddos got to play, moms got time to visit, and we practiced Robin's Hip Carry. See the video below if you'd like a second look or if you weren't able to make the meeting. The group will be having more frequent meetings throughout the month and at different locations around the area. If you weren't able to make this meeting at East Library, join us at the next meeting!



Group members ready their wraps to try Robin's Hip Carry.

 

Jenni S. wears her sweet sleepy newborn in a hip carry.

 

Stella K. and Natalie C. look on as group leader, Jillian, demonstrates a carry.

Molly R. and Amanda J. practice the carry of the month. 

Group leader, Jillian D., assists Xina P. with her hip carry.

One of our littlest members babywearing. :)

Erica N. tries out a mei tai from the lending library.

Garden of the Gods Photoshoot

We had a photography session at the Garden of the Gods today.  One of our longtime members, Gretchen M., took these beautiful photographs.  

Where We Wore in July

Mindy N. treks across the Great Sand Dunes National Park with her toddler in a Boba.

Kristen M. is wearing her baby in a Kinderpack at the Colorado National Monument.

Jennifer P. wears her baby boy in a KoKaDi Glamour Stars wrap in Manitou Springs after perfecting the July Carry of the Month, DRS2S.

Rechelle B.'s husband drags two suitcases (and carseats) while wearing their child on his back in a Tula.

Erica N. and her friend Frauke wear their two year olds on a prayer walk in Chisinau, the capital city of Moldova. Erica (left) is using a Kinderpack while Frauke is sporting a Manduca.

Maureen S. checks on her pregnant cow while wearing her baby in a DIY Osnaburg wrap.

Stella S.'s husband Bill wears their older daughter in a mei tai, while holding their youngest.

Galen D. tandems wears while getting ready to enter the airport.  Her two-year-old daughter is on her front in a Kanga XT and her son is on her back in a Blue and White Pfau Didymos.  

Where We Wore in June

Jillian D. minigolfs with her daughter in her back in Didymos Black Hemp Pfau.

Jennifer P. takes her kids to their first baseball game at the Sky Sox Stadium.
She has her son in a KoKaDi  Glamour Stars ring sling.

Nicole R. checks out some books at Penrose library with her older son
while her baby snoozes in a  mei tai.

Dorinda B. carries her baby in a Beco Gemini while experiencing wheat
harvest with the grandparents in Kansas.

Amy S's husband looks out at the sky on a hike at Eleven Mile State Park.
Their daughter is asleep in a Boba 2G.

Emily C. takes her son to Castlewood Canyon State Park in a Baby K'tan.

Isabel T. goes hiking in the Sugarloaf area with her son in a Didymos
Indio Sun Yellow wrap.