To wear your baby

Since becoming a mama, I get a lot of attention when walking around with Max. I know he is cute, but there's more to it. I baby wear. I don't push him around in a pram like everyone else. I do what comes naturally to us. He likes to be carried, and I need two hands to do things during the day, so it's a necessity to have him strapped onto my body.

Because it is an 'unconventional' way of child rearing in the western world, people have said all sorts of comments like: 

Max at 8 months old, breastfeeding at a baby shower in the Manduca

Them: 'You've got your hands full' 

Me: umm actually I need both hands right now, that's why he's in the carrier.

Them:'That looks like good exercise' 

Me:Yes, about as good as exercising when you're full-term pregnant, but you're not :)
 
Them: 'Is he sleeping?'  

Me: Nope he's breastfeeding to sleep. 

This usually has a couple of further responses like: 

Them: 'You can really breastfeed in that thing?' 

Me: Yep, have done since he was a newborn.

Them: And you've lasted so long with the breastfeeding! I just "couldn't" breastfeed.
 
Me: It is so much more practical to have a boob ready than mix formula and sterilise a bottle, and warm it. Actually I might've said that in the wrong order because I've never bottle fed Max, but I'm sure you catch my drift. 

If more women in Australia had the support and encouragement around them to breastfeed for longer than a few days, weeks or months, then they might have succeeded with breastfeeding their children for longer (in my opinion).

  
This is a picture of me with Max when he was about 4 months old. This type of stretchy wrap style baby carrier is called a hug-a-bub. 

Pros: So comfortable! 
          Comes with a DVD to explain how to use
          Keeps baby held snuggly. 
          They usually fall asleep within seconds 
          Adjustable sleeve bits for warmth in winter
          Awesome colours, even your fella can wear as a fashion item!

Cons: I was a little overwhelmed with the amount of fabric you have to deal with, but once I tried it out a couple of times in front of the   mirror, it was easy. 
It's not so practical in rainy weather to just pop on without it getting wet/dirty on the ground if you're trying to maneuver in a car park etc. I got around this by setting myself up in the hug-a-bub before we got into the car. It was another piece of clothing for the day!
                                             
                                             

This is a picture of us at the Gili Islands, Indonesia. Our first family holiday, when Max was 6 & half months old. We wore Max for nearly the whole day, everyday. He slept, boobed and goo gah-ed from the comfort and safety of the Manduca.

Pro's- Clips on, super quick to get baby in or out.
        - Soft, made of organic hemp & cotton
        - Can wear on front or back 
        - Can carry newborn (3.5 kg) through to large toddler/child (20 kg)
                                                 Con's- I'm yet to find any really. :)  
 
 When to start baby wearing?
As soon as they're born, and you are willing & able. I started Max in the Manduca and Hug-a-bub when he was 5 days old, weighing less than 3.5 kg! I still wear him when we go to the shopping centre and he's 11 kg now at 15 months.
 

Max 8 months old with Matt doing stuff around the house.

Where to buy?
I was given the Hug-a-bub, and bought the Manduca from Mother's Direct (ABA store) for less than $145. It has been used nearly every day of Max's life.
If there is one practical item to ask for at your baby shower, it is a Manduca (or Ergobaby which is a very similar design).
I am sure you can even find second-hand ones on eBay or Gumtree.

What about Baby bjorn?
Please don't bother! They are expensive, bad for your back and shoulders, and place enormous amounts of pressure on baby's developing spine.

Put it this way...
Would you prefer to sit in a seat, or hang by your 'bits'? That's the difference between a good baby carrier (Manduca/Ergo) and a baby bjorn.

Some baby wearing facts...
Babies who are carried cry less, settle more quickly, and have less digestive 'colicky' symptoms than those who are not worn/carried.

Babies learn more when they are carried. They spend a longer amount of time in the quiet alert phase (rather than the fussy & crying phase).

Wearing your baby develops the muscles required for sitting, crawling, walking. (FYI Max has been carried a LOT- since he was a newborn. He sat up by himself, completely unassisted on his 4 month birthday, crawled at 6 months, and walked at 11 months).

Offers easy access to breastmilk. Whether the baby wishes to feed for hunger, thirst, comfort, it is there, without them having to ask. Happy days, not just for baby, but also for your milk supply!

Babies who are worn feel secure and safe which helps to foster a solid sense of self. 

This one is probably my favourite point. You can't 'spoil' a baby. Hold them as often as you can, give all you can to them. Let them fall asleep on you, watch their little belly rise and fall with each breath. Be there for them. They are small & totally dependent on you for such a small amount of time, so cherish the moment and just enjoy.