Babywearing Week Begins!
Today marks the official start of International Babywearing Week! I'll be putting my gratitude posts on hold for a few days while we discuss babywearing, and I am kicking off the series with a guest post from Katie of Mighty Munchkin Maintenance!
Here’s a topic with never-ending potential…baby carriers. They’re like some kind of voodoo magic, those baby carriers are! Oh to have two free hands, while still being able to carry around that little munchkin. The possibilities are infinite, and so is the number of baby carriers out there to choose from. Because I couldn’t possible do the topic justice, I just want to rave about my absolute favorite baby carrier, the Calyx.
The Calyx is a little like a mei tai, but not. (Great description, right?) The characteristic that gives the Calyx some sass is the bonus baby seat. And what is a bonus baby seat you ask? There is an extra flap of material with buckles that creates added security. The flap goes through the baby’s legs and buckles on each side of their hips. This makes the Calyx super easy to use as a back carrier. I know lots of moms that use mei tais and the like and don’t have any issues using them as back carriers by themselves, but I’m a nervous Nellie. Knowing that my little buttercup isn’t going to fall right through the carrier while I struggle to place her on my back gives me tremendous peace of mind.
Besides just peace of mind, the Calyx is so very comfortable as well! I’m what you might think of as an active person. I like to move, and while I don’t run around with a baby on my back, I do walk, sometimes fast and not very delicately. I did try wraps, but they just couldn’t handle all my movement without eventually shifting all around leaving me irritated. I also had a baby bjorn, which got the job done for awhile, but not in the running for a larger baby or toddler (and not a back carrier). I was going to try a mei tai, but I was nervous about safely using it as a back carrier. Then I happened to be at a play group that included a fair number of baby wearing experts, and they suggested the Calyx. So I took the gamble and ordered one, and I’m so glad that I did. It’s awesome! There you have short and to the point, it’s awesome.
I bet you all have a favorite baby carrier. And I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re all different too. There are so many different types and styles of carriers that it can difficult to choose one. There’s also the obstacle that many of the coolest carriers aren’t available in mainstream stores and they can be quite pricey. Here’s where I ask you to share your favorite carriers with the group! Links are always appreciated too! (ed. note - feel free to share a link to your blog where you have discussed your favorite carrier!) I bet there are a number of readers that would love an experienced mom’s opinion on the baby carrier front.
Katie is a first time parent to a happy healthy little girl named Kaylee. She is constantly scouring the web and other parenting resources trying to solve the parenting mystery. She and her husband recently started Mighty Munchkin Maintenance, which is their attempt to share information and some of their more interesting "baby" experiences.
