Win the Essential Babywearing Stash

Along for the Ride is having a great contest; one lucky contestant will win a great stash of essential babywearing carriers. The lucky winner will win one Gypsy Mama Wrap, one Hotslings pouch, one BabyHawk Mei Tai, one Beco Butterfly and one Zolo Wear Ring Sling all in their choice of in-stock patterns.

This is a great contest; don't miss your chance. The contest ends midnight on July 31, 2008.

Why Should I Wear My Baby?

1. Babies who are worn cry less.Yes, its true. If you wear your baby in a carrier they will cry less. Research indicates that babies worn close to their caregivers are more happy and content than babies who are not worn. Wouldn't you feel more secure if you were wrapped up nice and tightly with the one you love?

2. Babies who are worn are smarter.Because sling babies spend less time crying, they spend more time in a quiet-alert state. This is the optimum state for a baby to learn. It is also the easiest state for parents to interact with their baby. Babies who are worn typically develop speech faster than babies who are not worn.

3. Wearing your baby helps them adjust to life outside the womb.Wearing baby tightly in a sling or carrier mimics the sensations that baby experienced inside the womb. For 9 months baby enjoyed the gentle sway of mom's movements. When baby is worn s/he continues to experience those sensations, only externally. S/he also gets to hear the sound of mother's heart beating and feel the rise and fall of mother's breath. These all help baby regulate to life outside the womb.

4. Babywearing enhances parental bonding.I t is easy to bond and nurture a baby who is always close to your heart. The proximity enhances interaction between baby and parent.

5. Babywearing is convenient.A mother can easily breastfeed her child in a sling. She can do this while shopping, doing the dishes, catching up on work or resting in a chair. A parent can walk her baby to sleep, hands free, while keeping up with other duties.

6. Babywearing makes sibling care easier. You can easily tend to the need of a toddler or older child with baby in a sling.

7. Babies enhances emotional developmentBabies who are worn are more likely to develop strong attachments to their parents and become more independent as adults.

8. Babywearing enhances physical development. Carrying baby helps to develop balance and head/neck control.

9. Babywearing is fun and you look great while doing it! Ok, this one is a selfish reason, but the slings/carriers that are available today look gorgeous! Everyone will comment on it. I promise. Besides, its a lot more fun to go out shopping with your little one when they are right there close to your heart and experiencing everything with you. Plus, you are close enough to enjoy their sweet baby smell and they are in the line of adult vision for everyone to comment on what a little darling you have!!

References:

http://www.askdrsears.com/
http://www.thebabywearer.com/

Looking far a great sling, wrap or carrier check out:
Waddle n Swaddle

Papoose

Waddle n Swaddle- Finding the Right Baby Carrier

What a find! This past week as I was getting ready to change Jack from the super-convienent infant car seat carrier to the convertable rear-facing seat, I realized that he nolonger fits in the Baby Bjorn, and the hotsling that I had for Allie has never worked that well with him. So, I was in search of a baby carrier that would work for him both now as a 22 lb. 6 month old and through toddlerhood. I came across the Moby Wrap, and their store locator linked me to Waddle n Swaddle store in Poughkeepsie, New York.

First of all, the owner Jenn Sullivan is very helpful both on the phone and in the store. Before deciding to make the trip out to Poughkeepsie, I called to make sure that they had a variety of carriers in stock; Jenn was really helpful in answering my questions over the phone. From looking through the online store, I had seen that they have a great online selection of baby-wearing carriers; based on the selection and the helpfulness over the phone, I decided to make the hour trek to Poughkeepsie to check out the various carriers.

So off we went, my good friend Melissa (and her two kiddos Lily and Miles), Allie, Jack and I. When we arrived, we were greated by store owner, Jenn. First we got the girls set up in the back playroom, and then I got down to the business of trying on carriers. First, we ruled out the carriers that just wouldn't work for Jack and I; which left us with 3 carriers to try.

The first one I tried was the Storchenwiege Woven Wrap. There was a lot that I liked about this wrap. It is very versital; there were many ways to wrap and use this carrier. It was also comfortable, even with a larger baby.

This wasn't the wrap for me in the end only because I was afraid that the amount of time it would take me to learn how to fully use this wrap just wouldn't work considering that I also have a 2.5 year old as well.

The next was the Beco 4th Generation. This is a structured, ergonomically correct carrier that uses buckles instead of tying. Your baby can be carried in 5 carry positions (cradle, front, hippy seat, hip and back). This carrier can be used for newborns up to toddlers (55 lbs.)

This too was a great carrier, I loved how it was really easy to put on, because of the clips. It was also really comfortable to wear and I LOVED the Pony Express print. In the end, the only con for me was that Jack couldn't be carried forward facing in this carrier and this is a must for me because he loves to see what is going on. Too bad, because I really did love this print.

The final carrier to try was the BabyHawk™ Mei Tai. This is an Asian inspired baby carrier, that can be used front (facing mom), front (facing out), hip and back. I really like the options that this carrier offers and it was easy for me to use. It felt natural for me to get it to tighten and I was able to easily adjust it. I really like that I will be able to use this carrier for quite awhile, I was even able to carry Allie in this carrier. I think that this is going to be a great carrier for us.